Sea, Expoforum 2024 presented at Mimit:the Blue Economy is the protagonist

From 16 to 18 October at Fiera Roma the event turns the spotlight on the environment, development and innovation

ROME - From pharmaceuticals to bioenergy, passing through nutraceuticals and the bioremediation of polluted sites:these are just some of the areas and markets of blue biotechnology, themes that will be at the center of the fourth edition of 'Blue Planet Economy Expoforum 2024:innovation and sustainability in the Blue Economy', from 16 to 18 October at Fiera Roma.An event, according to a note, which turns the spotlight on the environment, development and innovation in this large production sector, with a particular focus on the strategic role of local communities and small and medium-sized enterprises in promoting sustainable and innovative practices.
The protagonists of the event are companies, professionals and experts, representatives of research bodies, institutions and sector associations, including Enea, Unidustria, Assonautica, Westmed Initiative, Ogs-National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics and One Ocean Foundation.

During the presentation of the event, which took place this morning at the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, an important in-depth analysis on blue biotechnologies was offered by Cristian Chiavetta, head of the SSC Sustainability and Circularity Laboratory of Enea.Chiavetta emphasized the 'important commercial impacts' that activities linked to this sector can have, however 'it is difficult to quantify'.However, the data from the 2024 EU Blue Economy Report comes to our aid:as Chiavetta highlighted, global market value estimates vary between €2.5 billion and €3.9 billion, with the EU market valued at €868 million in 2021 and expected to grow to €1,786 million by 2032.'In Italy - continues the expert - the biotechnology sector is growing, although specific data on blue biotechnologies are less detailed'.
Furthermore, Chiavetta continues, 'Assobiotec estimates reveal that the Italian biotech sector employs around 13 thousand people, with over 750 active companies, a small percentage of which are specifically involved in blue biotechnologies.Pharmaceutical and medical applications, such as vaccine development and genomics, are a major driver of blue biotechnology development, with compound annual growth rates of 10.2% and 9.06%, respectively, through 2032.It is above all small companies and startups that make up the Italian sectoral fabric of blue biotechnology, a sign of a nascent and innovative industry.
Precisely for this reason, the manager further observes, 'lAccess to funding is a primary challenge for carrying out research and development in the sector and initiatives such as, for example, BlueInvest and European Investment Bank loans are key to reducing the risk associated with innovative companies.Projects such as B-Blue (completed in 2022) and the newly launched 2B-Blue, coordinated by Enea, aim to create favorable conditions for the growth of the sector, promoting collaboration, the transfer of know-how and innovation, supporting public-private cooperation, training and scientific research'.

The director of the Mimit - Focal Point Cipom study center also took part in the event Paolo Quercia and vice-president of Aefi-Italian Exhibitions and Fairs Association Pietro Piccinetti, which anticipated some of the themes that will be explored in depth during the three-day Expoforum.
The event in particular will be divided into various key sectors: “Blue Life Protection” with ocean protection and monitoring projects and strategies;“Blue and Green Logistics”, which explores advanced technological infrastructures for green shipping and green ports;“Blue Food”, to look at fishing and fish farming starting from marine techniques and biotechnologies that protect ecosystems and the health of humans and the planet;“Blue Energy”, for an updated overview of the potential of marine renewable energy;“Blue Tourism”, in the name of tourism that is a driving force for the economy and at the same time respectful of the coastal and maritime heritage;“Blue Future and Youth Experience”, an area dedicated to young generations to review the new professions and skills required by such a vast, dynamic and promising sector.

The initiative, as the statement continues, will be divided between the “Expo” area, where institutions, companies and research bodies showcase innovation and excellence in the sector, and the “Symposium”, in which the most current issues are discussed and explored in depth with seminars, workshops and thematic meetings.Training remains a central direction of the event, also created to promote new interconnections and orientation to professions in the world of the Blue Economy, with the involvement of schools, universities and research centres.The Business to Students format has also been confirmed this year, a program of meetings to directly connect students and companies.
Particularly strategic is also the international networking program, which offers exhibitors the opportunity to consolidate their presence in the Mediterranean and North African markets.

He also spoke during the presentation at Mimit Giovanni Gargano, nautical entrepreneur and president of the newly established Assonautica Lazio, who introduced the theme of "Blue Second Life", i.e. the valorisation, recovery and reuse of used and/or abandoned boats in a state of abandonment.The objective, which will soon see project planning, is to implement a system action that will lead the Association to be a support tool for the Administrations with a view to offering a second life to decommissioned boats that otherwise they would only represent an encumbrance and damage to the environment.
Andrea Aprile, director of the Unindustria Civitavecchia office, early partner of Blue Planet Economy Expoforum, confirmed his participation in this year's edition of the forum.On 16 October Unindustria Civitavecchia, with the collaboration of the Energy section, organizes the second edition of the focus 'Decarbonise:models compared in the blue Economy - 2nd edition', with the intervention of main industrial players, bringing testimonies and sustainability projects on the issues of energy and the economy of the sea.
Finally, he also took part in the presentation Luca Pardi, president of the Scientific Committee of Zeroemission Mediterranean 2024, the international event for the energy transition, scheduled at Fiera Roma in conjunction with the Blue Planet Economy Expoforum.Pardi exposed the themes and main innovations of the fourth edition of the show, an event that offers a complete overview of all the innovations in the field of renewables:innovative systems, materials, machines, technologies, products and services.

Today's presentation, concludes the note, was also an opportunity to remember that on the third and last day of the Blue Planet Economy Expoforum, next 18 October, the “Blue Ambassador Award 2024” award ceremony.This national award, organized by the Mar Association, in collaboration with the innovative in the field of the Blue Economy.An exceptional jury made up of established professionals and young students will continue to collect project proposals until September 30th (here application forms and info https:// www.blueconomy.online/al-via-le-candidature-per-il-blue-ambassador-award-2024/ ) from which the winners will be selected.The projects registered for the award so far range from the circular economy to green mobility, from scientific dissemination to industrial design, through tourism and sustainable energy.
Among these, the Cielo project of the Navigo network of companies, which aims to introduce ESG practices in the port of Viareggio, and the proposal of Audace Sailing Team, a group of former naval engineering students, who design "flying" boats, highly sustainable made with linen fiber and composed of at least 75% recyclable material.
Also very interesting is the project of the Municipality of Noto to renovate a museum structure to transform it into a Cultural Interpretation Center linked to the sea and the territory.Furthermore, the young Lombardy company specialized in Euro-planning X23 proposes Eeco Cruising_Fu Tour, a sustainable cruise itinerary with on-board training activities.Accessions that confirm how the Blue Ambassador Award now represents a stage on the path to sustainability which is an integral part of the Blue Planet Economy Expoforum project.