Alvaro High School wins prestigious award for innovative thermal insulation project

In Calabria, Italy, a group of high school students participated in the RISE educational project, guided by professor Fabio Domenico Palumbo. The initiative aimed to inspire young minds to engage in sustainable development and digital citizenship by presenting innovative ecological solutions. Through collaboration with the Italian-Belgian Chamber of Commerce and support from the European Commission, the students attended webinars by environmental start-ups and learned to develop and pitch their business ideas. The project culminated in a competition where students were challenged to create a sustainable start-up concept. The winning project, Gine-Start, revolves around the production of thermal insulation panels crafted from lime and broom fiber, representing a sustainable and low-impact option for the green building sector. This project draws from regional resources and is linked with the Widespread Park of Knowledge and Well-being in Pellaro, which provides raw materials and artisanal production. The quality of the thermal insulation panels benefits from both traditional craftsmanship and academic research, specifically from the University of Calabria and Technest, the university's incubator. Students found that their panels outperform conventional solutions like polystyrene when it comes to thermal and acoustic insulation as they help regulate temperature effectively across seasons while resisting moisture and mold growth. These advancements present an environmentally friendly alternative that adds local economic value through a short supply chain. Furthermore, the students crafted a comprehensive production cost sheet for scaling up the manufacture of these panels, demonstrating their commitment to feasibility in the market. The effort also included market analysis to benchmark their product against existing insulation solutions. With a designed logo and business plan in place, Gine-Start stands poised for future market testing, reflecting the students' pioneering contribution to sustainable innovation in a critical industry segment.