Criteria and technologies for ecological industrial areas. Collaboration between industry and University

The current production system is responsible for negative environmental impacts and it is considered not sustainable. Organizational and technical requirements have to be addressed and reconsidered in an urgent manner. The aim of the many recent national standards, widely accepted in all European countries, is the targeting of the weak aspects of the industrial and manufacturing sector, characterised by the uncontrolled exploitation of raw materials, the use of non renewable energy resources, the pollutant emissions, as well as the excessive production of waste, often hazardous. More and more countries are regulating - with specific measures - new and existing industrial areas providing goals and actions that take into consideration the ecological aspects. The production model of ecological industrial areas is based on the principle of low environmental impact, assured through planning of infrastructures, services and production cycles resulting in territory and business companies development, while preventing and controlling enviromental pollution. The paper points out the importance of university-industry collaboration to ensure innovation. In particular, university research aims at defining the performances of industrial areas and contributing to the definition of specific models and systems for environmental aspects monitoring.