Science in support of circular economy
€100 million invested in research and development
Since 1994, Pontenossa has invested continuously in improving the efficiency of its operations, with progress concerning slag quality, the extension of the circular economy chain, and the optimization of the production process. A series of projects fueled by collaborations with institutions, universities, and research centers.
Waste and residues
Pontenossa S.p.A. dedicates significant resources and talent to finding alternative uses for Waelz oxide production residues, with the ultimate goal of decommissioning, redeveloping, and returning the Val Rogno plant area to the territory.
To achieve this goal, Pontenossa S.p.A. is conducting – following the model already in place in other European countries – chemical-physical analyses of its production residues so that they can be reused as aggregate for stabilized mixes, concrete, and asphalt, with a twofold benefit:
significant reduction of natural resource extraction and consequent protection of territories and ecosystems;
functional and responsible reuse of residues that are currently subject to an inertization process, which is costly both economically and environmentally.
Digitization
Pontenossa S.p.A. strongly invests in digitizing its management processes and adopting advanced Machine Learning techniques, applied to strategic functions such as production and procurement. It also relies on fiber optic connections to guarantee fast and secure access to cloud services and on advanced applications for analyzing and interpreting critical business parameters, with the goal of optimizing performance and supporting data-driven decision-making.
Collaborations
To optimize internal processes, improve the quality of environmental monitoring, and find new uses for its slag, Pontenossa S.p.A. has launched a series of internal projects, collaborates with external professionals, and benefits from the support of professors from the Polytechnic University of Milan.
A state-of-the-art laboratory
Cutting-edge equipment, skilled personnel, and dedicated tools: for Pontenossa, research and development means not only monitoring current performance but also finding today the most suitable solutions for tomorrow.
