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Area Science Park has been granted €2 million to boost research in omics sciences — the study of interactions between genes, proteins and metabolites — aimed at gaining a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying diseases. These resources have been allocated by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) to the National Research Institute with headquarters in Trieste and will strengthen the laboratory hosted on the campus of the University of Salerno, an institution with which Area Science Park maintains a well-established and long-standing collaboration. Minister Anna Maria Bernini has signed the decree distributing the new annual allocation of the Fund for construction and research infrastructures. For 2025, the Fund has a total budget of €94 million. The omics sciences laboratory in Salerno will operate in an integrated manner with Area Science Park’s life sciences research infrastructure (genomics, structural biology and data science), which represents a node within the national and international network of the Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium (CERIC) and functions on an open access basis. The project has an overall value of €3.5 million, of which €2 million is the 2025 funding provided by MUR. “Our Research Institutes are jewels, a source of pride for Italy and an international scientific reference”, explains Minister Anna Maria Bernini. “It is our responsibility to ensure that these centres of excellence can grow and continue on their path. It is necessary to guarantee resources for new projects, finance increasingly complex infrastructures and support the most advanced technologies”, adds the Minister. “The new €94 million funding from the Fund for construction and the modernisation of the research infrastructure moves in this direction. It enables scientific institutions to boost their study activities and open new research frontiers capable of generating concrete and positive impacts for improving quality of life. We want to give continuity to an already excellent effort, a flagship of our country. We believe in it. And results come from believing”. “The MUR funding is highly significant in the development strategy of the Institute’s activities as it allows us to upgrade the southern laboratory, thereby laying the foundations for the construction a new Institute of Integrated Omics Sciences”, says Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. “The idea is that, through collaboration with the University of Salerno and other important scientific institutions, the Institute can become a thematic reference point for the South and a magnet for young researchers”. The €94 million from the Fund for construction and research infrastructures have been allocated taking into account requests and projects formulated by each institute for building works and modernisation of scientific infrastructures. For each institute, the resources allocated will be monitored while keeping in mind the timetable of activities to be carried out based on the funding granted.

Giorgio Marrapodi, the Italian Ambassador to Turkey, visited Area Science Park accompanied by a delegation composed of Turkish and Italian entrepreneurs, professors, and dignitaries who live and work in the Republic of Turkey. Welcoming the delegation were the Director General, Dr. Anna Sirica, and the President of Area Science Park, Professor Caterina Petrillo, who presented the national research institution, the key milestones in its history, and its strategic priorities for the coming years: from the development and implementation of the institution’s research infrastructures to the management of the Trieste science and technology park, as well as projects related to green hydrogen. A brief focus was dedicated to the research activities of the Laboratory of Genomics and Epigenomics, presented by its facility Manager, Danilo Licastro. The Turkish delegation also had the opportunity to visit the laboratories of Dr. Schär, a leading company in the production of gluten-free and specialty dietary foods, which has a research and development laboratory within Area Science Park. Finally, the Ambassador and the delegation met with Valentino Pediroda, CEO of Modefinance, and Pinar Dilek, Rating Process Manager at the company, which is Europe’s first Credit Rating Fintech Agency, born from a university spin-off incubated at Area Science Park.

The European LIFE IN-PLAN project’s efforts to develop territorial plans integrating energy, climate, and mobility aspects are beginning to bear fruit by encouraging virtuous planning practices among municipalities aimed at achieving climate neutrality. A notable example is the municipality of San Vito al Tagliamento (PN), with which IN-PLAN is actively collaborating, supporting its team of experts alongside local officials in the integrated drafting of the Municipal General Urban Plan, the General Urban Traffic Plan, the Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan, the Green Masterplan, and the Plan for the Removal of Architectural Barriers. “We warmly welcomed the IN-PLAN project because, as a municipality belonging to the Sustainable Municipalities Network, we recognise the importance of integrated and systemic planning involving multiple stakeholders with diverse sensitivities and expertise. This approach ensures a comprehensive vision and coherence that can only be achieved through dialogue, comparison, and collaboration, as we have already experienced during an initial meeting with all the planners supporting us in drafting the various plans,” states Federica Del Frè, delegated councillor for the municipality of San Vito al Tagliamento. Very useful tools in this direction include the IN-PLAN Practice, the IN-PLAN Checklist, and the Guidelines for a Data Management Plan, which provide concrete support for public administrations and sector operators in implementing multilevel governance. “The IN-PLAN Practice offers a comprehensive guide with examples of good practices and a step-by-step approach to effectively integrate energy, climate, and territorial planning policies,” explains Fabrizia Salvi of Area Science Park. “The IN-PLAN Checklist provides a structured reference framework in the form of guiding questions to improve existing or developing plans by assessing the coherence of measures envisaged in various plans, as demonstrated by the ongoing work with the municipality of San Vito al Tagliamento. The checklist is designed to foster reflection on developing integrated measures that also consider the effects—both positive and negative—that these may have on sectors other than the primary focus. It can also be used in a preliminary phase of plan drafting to consider different aspects of an issue and choose to address them in a multidisciplinary way”. The importance of these tools, with a particular focus on the “data-driven” approach, alongside experiences of various local authorities, universities, and research centres, was central to the event held on 2 April 2025 in Padua, within the framework of the Forum Duezerocinquezero, in collaboration with the LIFE NECPlatform project and the Coordination of Italian Local Agenda 21. The event, attended by experts and stakeholders, was not only an opportunity to present the IN-PLAN methodologies and tools but also a chance to discuss the challenges of integrated planning within the National Coalition Group (NCG) of IN-PLAN. This national discussion platform offers various stakeholders the chance to exchange views and formulate proposals and recommendations on integrated planning to be subsequently shared with national policymakers. The group involves several entities, including Area Science Park, the Coordination of Italian Local Agenda 21, and the municipalities of Padua, Prato, and Narni. During the event, proposals for the NCG were presented, focusing on the importance of “data-driven” integrated territorial planning and addressing barriers to integrated design, data management, and governance forms. The LIFE IN-PLAN project, co-financed by the European Union, will continue its work until March 2026. There is still an opportunity for municipalities and provinces to join as pilots and receive support from Area Science Park experts in integrating plans by testing the methodology and tools developed by the project.

Advanced, hands-on training for the next generation of data professionals, delivered in the heart of Trieste’s renowned scientific ecosystem.   In today’s data-driven world, the ability to manage, curate, and leverage data effectively is paramount. Both scientific research and industry increasingly demand professionals skilled in making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). Furthermore, in today’s AI-driven landscape, mastering data management is absolutely critical to safeguarding the integrity and security of the algorithms we increasingly rely on. The one-year professional course “Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC)”, a unique joint initiative by Area Science Park and SISSA, is designed to equip you with the advanced, practical skills needed to excel in this critical field. Why Choosing  MDMC? Prestigious partnership: Learn from two leading institutions: Area Science Park, a national public research organisation, which has always been a link between research, innovation and industry, and SISSA, one of the six Italian school of excellence, which is a scientific center of advanced research in mathematics, physics and neuroscience within the national and international academic scene. Both share the scientific objective of doing frontier research in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This unique collaboration offers an unparalleled learning environment. Specialized FAIR & Open Science focus: Gain in-depth expertise in FAIR principles and Open Science methodologies, skills highly sought after by research institutions and funding bodies across Europe. Unique hands-on approach: Go beyond theory with our innovative “FAIR-by-design” methodology. Apply your learning during a six months extensive practical internship within real, cutting-edge research laboratories and companies. Targeted career outcomes: Prepare for in-demand roles like Data Steward, Data Curator, Data Engineer and Research Data Manager, equipped with the practical experience needed in academia, research infrastructures and private data-intensive organizations. Duration and Modality The MDMC is a full-time 10 months program, which consists of 1500 hours of training activities, corresponding to 60 ECTS credits. Total Duration: 10 months, from September 15, 2025 to June 30, 2026 Teaching Language: English Teaching Mode: In-person, with some remote sessions during the internship period Location of in-presence lectures: Trieste – Area Science Park & SISSA Admission Requirements (Academic Year 2025-2026) Admission to the Master in Data Management and Curation – MDMC – for the Academic Year 2025-2026 requires candidates to hold a Bachelor’s degree (Laurea Triennale) or a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale/Specialistica), or an equivalent university degree (e.g., pre-reform Italian Diploma di Laurea). In addition to the degree qualification, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements by the start date of the lessons to effectively follow the program: English language: a good proficiency in English is required (CEFR B2 level or higher), as all lectures and teaching activities will be conducted exclusively in English. Python programming: basic Python programming skills are required, as detailed in the Annex 1. Mathematical skills: minimum mathematical knowledge equivalent to that acquired through university-level Calculus 1 and 2 courses (or equivalent). Statistical skills: basic knowledge of statistics, including elements of probability theory, hypothesis testing techniques, understanding of Bayes’ theorem, and statistical model comparison. Technical equipment: availability and ability to use a personal computer equipped with a functioning Linux operating environment. Applications for the Academic Year 2025-2026 must be completed and submitted exclusively through the dedicated online platform, accessible at the following link: https://pica.cineca.it/sissa/sissa-ilas-mdmc-2025/ The application will be open from april 29th to june 10th. The online procedure requires uploading the following mandatory documents: Letter of motivation: a document outlining the candidate’s reasons for interest in the MDMC Master and their professional goals (150 – 1500 characters). Identity Document: a copy (front and back) of a valid identity document (ID card or passport). Curriculum Vitae: an updated CV detailing the candidate’s educational background and any professional experience.   Ready to Shape the Future of Data? << Apply now!>>   For all information on the program and course content, application procedure, selection, financial aid and fees: download the Course Presentation, the Scientific Program, or download the official Call. For further information you can visit the page on the SISSA website, or contact us sending an email to MDMC   The course is part of the NFFA-DI project, which has received financial support from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 4 “Education and Research” – Component 2 “From Research to Business” – Investment Line 3.1 “Fund for the implementation of an integrated system of research and innovation infrastructures”, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

It’s not just about the iconic Marmolada Glacier in the Dolomites. In the coming decades, the other glaciers in this mountain range could also shrink dramatically or vanish altogether. This theory is supported for the first time by a study conducted by the Institute of Polar Sciences of the Italian National Research Council (Cnr-Isp), based at Area Science Park, and the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, recently published in the journal The Cryosphere. The Italian Glaciological Committee, the Alpine-Adriatic Meteorological Society, ARPA Veneto, the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, the Technical University of Denmark, the Roma Tre University in Rome and the University of Quebec in Montreal all collaborated in the study. “The Dolomites have been the subject of numerous studies in the fields of geology, geomorphology and biodiversity. However, the glaciers in this region have often remained on the margins of scientific investigation, with the exception of the Marmolada Glacier, the largest in the area”, explains Renato R. Colucci, a researcher at Cnr-Isp and co-author of the paper. “Regardless of the information provided by the two editions of the Italian glacier registers (1962 and 2015), the data available on their evolution over time have so far been extremely fragmented and have often only been qualitative, especially regarding their variations in volume. Our study is the first to present a multi-decade estimate (from the 1980s to 2023) of topographic changes and mass balance of the current mountain glaciers in the Dolomites”. The result was achieved in two steps: for the period from the 1980s to 2010, researchers used the Structure from Motion (SfM) technique applied to historical aerial imagery; from 2010 to 2023, they also used drone (UAV) imagery and helicopter-based LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) acquisitions, which allowed for high-resolution and accuracy. In 2023 – the last year examined in the study – there were 9 glaciers, although the fragmentation of the Marmolada Glacier into four distinct glacial bodies brings the total number to 12. “The total area of these last 12 glaciers has decreased from just over 4 square km in the 1980s to just under 2 square km today – a 56% loss, of which 33% has occurred since 2010,” specifies Andrea Securo, PhD student at the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and co-author of the study. “Overall, we observed an average decrease in the topographic surface of the glaciers of 28,7 metres between 1980 and 2023 – of which 33% between 2010 and 2023. The glacier that suffered the greatest reduction was the Fradusta Glacier, which underwent a decrease in average thickness of 50 metres and an areal reduction of 90%.” The temperature data processed for the study in collaboration with ARPA Veneto is also interesting, showing a rise of +2.0°C over the past 40 years – approximately +0.5°C per decade. At the same time, the data also shows a certain increase in snowfall, but only at high altitudes. The researchers warn that this phenomenon was not enough to compensate for the greater melting caused by increasingly long and always hotter summers. In conclusion, the study highlights that, in the entire area, 66% of the total volume loss is attributable to the Marmolada Glacier alone. “Today, the Dolomite Glacier accumulation areas lie below the alpine glacier equilibrium line, an indicator of the fact that, within a few decades, these glaciers will either disappear completely or become fragmented glacial bodies with no dynamic activity. Unfortunately, their fate appears inevitable, even assuming climate stabilisation based on the average values of the past 30 years (1991–2020),” the authors conclude. Source: CNR (Italian National Research Council)

The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of Italian businesses and promote the growth of a dynamic and future-oriented entrepreneurial ecosystem through the co-creation of innovative solutions developed by startups, spin-offs and innovative SMEs in response to the needs of medium and large enterprises. With this ambitious goal and as part of the activities and services of IP4FVG – EDIH, Area Science Park, in collaboration with ELIS Innovation Hub, is launching the Open Innovation@IP4FVG, programme through two calls: Call 4 Need, for medium and large enterprises, and Call 4 Solution, dedicated to startups, spin-offs and innovative SMEs. Thanks to the programme, the selected companies will work together, for 12 weeks, on the co-development of a Proof of Concept (PoC), a pilot project or prototype that makes it possible to test the innovative solutions and assess their effectiveness, applicability and scalability. Every stage of the approach will be guided and supported by experts from Area Science Park and ELIS Innovation Hub, through to final validation of the solution. Thanks to PNRR funds from the IP4FVG-EDIH project, selected medium and large enterprises will have access to subsidised funding of up to 80% to develop their PoC with a value of €40.000 each. The co-innovation approaches must focus on advanced digital technologies for optimising processes across the entire value chain, for reducing environmental impact and for cybersecurity. The programme includes a first local service event on 15 April at 3 p.m. in the Pasolini Room of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in Udine, during which companies and startups can join the programme, meet, delve deeper into the topic of Open Innovation and take part in networking sessions aimed at fostering long-term collaborations. The programme is part of the IP4FVG-EDIH services, an initiative funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) – Mission 4, Component 2 (M4C2) – Investment 2.3, subsidised by the European Union – Next Generation EU, which aims to encourage the adoption of digital and green technologies. More information on the areas and the approach is available at this link. To register for the presentation event on April 15 in Udine, click here.

On World Water Day, we discuss how research and technological innovation contribute to reducing waste and making water networks more efficient.

The Welcome Office FVG confirms its crucial role in supporting the international mobility of students and researchers in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The data contained in the 2024 Report highlights a significant increase in activities and continuous evolution of the services offered. Throughout 2024, the Welcome Office FVG— a help desk giving assistance and advice on the main mobility-related issues for students, researchers and their families, both before arrival and during their stay in the region— provided a total of 5.982 consultations to 655 users. Among the most frequent requests received at the Trieste help desk, managed by Area Science Park, were matters related to residence permits, entry and residence conditions and health insurance. At the Udine help desk, which operates within the university, the main focus was instead on the pre-arrival phase, with a greater demand for advice regarding departure formalities and conditions, insurance and healthcare and the search for accommodation. One of the Welcome Office FVG’s strengths is its collaboration with local and national institutions. In 2024, 11 agreements on personal data processing were signed between Area Science Park and the partners who took advantage of the appointments at the Police Headquarters. The relationship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) Visa Centre was also fundamental, leading to the organisation of a training and refresher event. One of the most significant results was the organisation of 10 collective appointments with the Trieste Police Headquarters, allowing around 300 students, researchers and family members to obtain their residence permits more quickly. The Welcome Office FVG web portal continues to be a reference point for international mobility. In 2024, it recorded 35.689 users and 48.954 sessions, with visitors from 158 countries. The Welcome Office FVG also took part in several promotional events, including the “Welcome Conference for International and Mobility Students” at UniUD and the Welcome Days organised by the University of Trieste, the University of Udine and the Tartini Conservatory. The level of user satisfaction remains high: 94% of respondents to the questionnaire stated that they would recommend the service.

China is the most attractive market for patents in the rare earth element (REE) recycling sector, with a significantly higher number of patent applications compared to other countries. This is what emerges from the study “Innovation in rare earths recycling: A quantitative and qualitative analysis of patent data”, which, through a meticulous analysis of patent data, offers an in-depth examination of innovation in the Rare Earth recycling sector. Rare earth elements are fundamental for the digital transition and decarbonisation and are used in key technologies such as batteries, wind turbines and electronic devices. However, their extraction has a significant environmental impact and the supply chain is highly concentrated in just a few countries, making recycling a strategic solution to ensure sustainable access to these resources, reduce dependence on imports and limit the environmental impact of mining activities. According to the study, published in Resources Policy and conducted by Area Science Park (Riccardo Priore and Marinella Favot) and the University of Milan-Bicocca (Marco Compagnoni), China remains the most dynamic market in the REE recycling sector and Chinese universities are the main players in innovation, demonstrating a strong commitment to research and development of new technologies for the recovery of these materials. However, the United States and Japan emerge as technological leaders, with patents that are more frequently mentioned and with greater international protection of their inventions, indicating more advanced and globally relevant technological innovation. Europe, on the other hand, shows signs of stagnation in both the number and quality of patents. To bridge the gap with the main players in the sector, greater support for innovation is needed through public investment, business incentives and international collaborations. Moreover, revising policies for managing waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE), which is rich in critical raw materials, is crucial to making the circular economy more effective, by improving waste collection, enhancing recycling facilities and incentivising the use of secondary raw materials. Riccardo Priore of the Patlib Centre, at Area Science Park, states that “This study represents an innovative type of support, through statistical analysis of patent documents, to various issues related to academic research activities. The study of innovation dynamics in the rare earth recycling sector provides an important starting point for developing more effective strategies in the REE recycling sector, with significant implications for the strategic autonomy of importing countries and for the future of the global circular economy.” In a context of increasing demand for rare earth elements, recycling capacity will become increasingly crucial in reducing dependence on imports and mitigating the environmental impact of extraction. The results of the study suggest that, in order to remain competitive, Western countries should intensify their efforts in the recycling sector by promoting high-quality innovations and investing in the transition to a more sustainable economy. Link to the paper 

Nextstep open 18 PhD posts in March 2025 for PhD projects starting in autumn 2025. All the information are available on ESRF recruitment portal (https://www.esrf.fr/Jobs) and the deadline for application is 02 May 2025. The first 18 PhD projects will be located at ESRF – The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility,  ILL- The Institut Laue-Langevin in France and at FZJ – Institutes of Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany. PhD projects will cover a wide range of disciplines including physics, materials science, chemistry, biochemistry and engineering. The successful candidates will study a hot topic related to sustainable development or industrial competitiveness and they will learn to use some of the most advanced and exciting analytical techniques available at their host research infrastructure facility. There will also be a second cohort of 18 PhD posts to be advertised from February 2026. Nextstep is a Horizon Europe supported MSCA cofund doctoral programme. This programme expects the candidate to change country to take up employment at the PhD project host institute. See the Nextstep website FAQ (https://nextstep-programme.eu/frequently-asked-questions/) for more details on the Marie Sklodowska-Curie mobility rule. Area Science Park participates in Nexstep as a hosting infrastructure for PhD students along with ESRF (Nexstep coordinator), ILL (France), FZJ (Germany), and NTNU (Norway). TO DISCOVER THE 18 CALLS AND GET MORE DETAILS, CLICK HERE

To achieve the “zero emissions” target, emerging technologies such as green hydrogen are essential. However, the production of green hydrogen through electrolysis depends on critical raw materials (CRM), for which the demand is increasing, while supply remains concentrated in just a few countries. The study was presented at the “IRTC25: From Raw Material Policies to Practice” conference held in Ljubljana, supported by EIT RawMaterials (European Union) and the Federal Department of Economic Affairs (Switzerland). The research, conducted by Area Science Park (Riccardo Priore and Marinella Favot) and the University of Milano-Bicocca (Marco Compagnoni) within the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley project – NAHV, explored two key aspects: technological innovation in green hydrogen through the analysis of patents and the assessment of the criticality of the raw materials necessary. To identify global trends in green hydrogen innovation, patents related to key technologies such as fuel cells and electrolysers were analysed. Additionally, the criticality of the raw materials necessary for these technologies was assessed based on the EU’s list of critical raw materials. Thanks to the PatLib Centre at Area Science Park, the study used a patent database (PATSTAT) covering the period from 2000 to 2023, focusing on: temporal trends in patents for fuel cells and electrolysers countries with the strongest interest in intellectual property protection on these topics the most used critical raw materials and their trends over time. The picture that emerged is the following: patent applications for hydrogen technologies have increased significantly, reaching 5,380 applications filed in 2022 (a figure that may continue to grow), making a total of over 45,600 applications from 2000 to 2023 (noting that the publication secrecy period for applications is 18 months); China, Japan and the USA are the territories most interested in the legal protection (via patents) of the production or commercialisation of key green hydrogen technologies; 13% of patents mention at least one critical raw material, with Nickel, Platinum and Lithium as the most important for both technologies (fuel cells and electrolysers). The researchers conclude that while the increase in patent applications highlights a global push towards green hydrogen-based solutions, the dependency on critical raw materials such as Nickel, Platinum and Lithium raises concerns about supply risks, price volatility and geopolitical dependencies. To ensure the sustainable growth of hydrogen technologies, it will be crucial to develop new research into alternative materials and, at the same time, effective recycling strategies and supply chains.

An innovative solution for the recovery and reuse of yttrium, a rare and critical chemical element, from electronic waste, has emerged from research conducted by Area Science Park and the University of Udine, presented at the “IRTC25” conference in Ljubljana. The study, conducted by Marinella Favot, Roberta Curiazi and Antonio Massarutto, demonstrates how Yttrium Triflate (Y(OTf)₃), a widely used catalyst in the pharmaceutical industry, can be produced in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way from waste materials. Yttrium and its compounds play a crucial role in numerous chemical and technological processes within the pharmaceutical sector. This element is used as a catalyst in key reactions for the synthesis of pharmaceutical intermediates, such as hydrolysis, condensation and oxidation-reduction reactions. Thanks to its high efficiency, yttrium triflate, in particular, makes it possible to reduce reaction times and improve chemical process yield, making it indispensable for the production of complex molecules that form the basis of many medicines. As well as its use as a catalyst, yttrium is used in advanced technologies such as solid-state lasers, used in medical devices for surgery and diagnostics (YAG – Yttrium Aluminium Garnet lasers), in medical imaging techniques (including positron emission tomography – PET) and in biocompatible materials used in medical devices. Additionally, yttrium is used in the production of ceramics, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and plasma screens, cathode ray tubes (CRT), automotive catalysts, fluorescent lamps, permanent magnets and metallic alloys for batteries, as well as in fuel cells and electrolysers (key green hydrogen technologies), primarily in the form of yttria-stabilised zirconia (YSZ).   Recycling Yttrium from Electronic Waste: A Sustainable Solution The research presented at the “IRTC25” conference focuses on recovering yttrium oxide, which is present in small quantities in electronic waste, and transforming it into yttrium triflate through a three-stage process: catalyst synthesis, filtration and water removal. Although the final product is not 100% purified, it has proven to be effective and economically sustainable compared to purchasing pure yttrium triflate on the market. “The recycling process not only reduces dependence on virgin raw materials but it also represents a cost-effective solution”, explains Marinella Favot of Area Science Park. “In fact, recovering yttrium from electronic waste is more cost-effective than traditional disposal methods, especially when the price of the recovered material exceeds the costs of collection and treatment.” This research has been selected for a pitch at Apple and McKinsey’s “Talent meets Industry” event and represents a significant step towards a more sustainable circular economy, reducing the environmental and social impact linked to rare earth extraction and improving the resilience of supply chains. However, some challenges remain, such as the volatility of the prices of pure materials and the need to develop infrastructures for the treatment of electronic waste in Europe. In a global context where the demand for critical materials such as yttrium is constantly increasing, the recycling of electronic waste is confirmed as a key strategy for ensuring a more sustainable future and reducing environmental impact, also in pharmaceutical production.