Science and Technology Parks

 Parco Scientifico e Tecnologico della Sicilia - Palermo

A network of analysis, test and innovative services in the European Mediterranean Region

 

Z.I. Brancaccio Via Filippo Pecoraino
90124 Palermo
(Sicily)

Telephone:
+39 091 6215653
Fax:
+39 091 6214343
URL:
www.pstsicilia.org

President:
Prof. Antonio Catara
Contact:
Dr. Nicoletta Paparone
Email:
presidente@pstsicilia.org

Main points

The core tasks of the company range over three areas: the promotion of innovation and technology transfer and a performance offer for companies, which includes the search for partners in the technology sphere and innovative projects, internationalisation, management in itinere and much more. Moreover the park, thanks to its numerous existing laboratories, offers a broad spectrum of innovative services for the analysis and testing (genome analysis and hits for the variety of variants, phytosanitary and biotechnological diagnostics – micropropagation – chemical analyses – microbiology in the agrofoods sector – X-Ray-spectroscopy – technologies in the agro-foods sector – biomass – bioethanol – biodiesel – cultural and landscape heritage and material analysis). These are distributed over the five branches; Palermo, Catania, Ragusa, Caltanissetta and Agrigent, where they are located respectively in the industrial support areas.
Thanks to qualified employees, whose networking with one another, innovative equipment and the widely diversified presence in the region, the Science and Technology Park Sicily can unite the triangle of knowledge, research and development and thus assure the dissemination and the constant enhancement of its own results.

Brief description

PSTSicilia has built up a structured system of relations between local universities, research centres and companies, the joint aim of which is the enhancement of the regional competitiveness by means of research, innovation, technology transfer, propagation of quality and specialist training.
Further functions of the park are:
- Catalysator for product enquiries of the SMEs, innovation processes and for the performance spectrum of the regional research system. The main emphasis lies thereby on international cooperation and on the upvaluing and dissemination of innovations.

Companies:
3
R&D facilities:
2
Area:
2.500 mq
Total Number of Employees:
46

Sectors

    • ICT and Industry
      • Multimedia
    • Life Sciences und Materials
      • Biotechnology
      • Diagnostics
      • Biology
      • Nanotechnology
      • Materials Science
    • Agricultural/food
      • Food technologies
      • Transformation of products
      • Microbiology
      • Hygiene examinations
    • Energy and Environment
      • Energy
      • Environmental protection
      • Restoration and monument conservation

Services

    • Research and Development
      • Commercialization of technologies
    • Human Resources
      • Organisation of conferences, courses and seminars
      • Staff training
      • Partnerships with universities and other research institutes
      • Management consultancy
    • Business
      • Development of business contacts
      • Network formations
    • Administrative services
      • Consultancy for dealing with public administration
      • Technical support in the selection of locations by companies and laboratory facilities
    • Other services
      • Territorial marketing
      • Location marketing

Data and Facts

Key data

  • Founded in: 1991
  • Seats: 5
  • Companies: 3
  • Research Centres: 2
  • Employees: 46
  • Area for research facilities: 1,500 m²
  • Total area: 2,500 m²
  • Area of new locations: 800 m²

Sponsors

Predominantly public authorities

  • Corporate capital: € 13.427.879 (87.9% Sicilian Region – Industry section, 12.1% private)Università degli Studi di Catania, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Università degli Studi di Messina, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)
  • Private Shareholders: Acqua Azzurra srl; Agris-Brumi srl; Aid spa; Albanese Costruzioni srl; Aretè arl; Bma srl; Celf spa; Cepa srl; Colacem spa; Consorzio Catania Ricerche; Consorzio Ital Telesis; CO.RI.M.ME; Cres; Csati; Ibm Italia spa; Imprepar Impregilo Partecipazioni spa; Iniziative Industriali spa; Investire Partecipazioni spa; Irfis spa; Isrim arl; Rodriquez Cantieri Navali spa; Sifi spa; T.E.L.I. spa; Teleinform scpa; U.R.S. Italia spa.

Objectives

  • Build-up of new research activities
  • Intensification of relations between universities and companies
  • Technological consulting for companies and institutions
  • Enhancement of the technology level of companies and institutions
  • Enhancement of the competitiveness of companies
  • Economic exploitation of the research results
  • Enhancement of job quality
  • Site marketing
  • Attracting investors
  • Foundation of new companies
  • Creation of new jobs

Network

  • APSTI (Italian Association of the Science and Technology Parks)
  • Iasp
  • Aida
  • Confindustria
  • ASSOBIOTEC/FEDERCHIMICA
  • Wainova

Location

Location and Environment

Name
Inhabitants
Distance

Location

Palermo

750.000

Nearest town/city

Catania

380.000

University

University of Palermo

University of Catania

Industrial districts

Distretto Tecnologico Sicilia Micro e Nano Sistemi (Micro and Nanosystems)

Distretto Tecnologico Sicilia Trasporti Navali, Commerciali e da diporto

Distretto Tecnologico Sicilia Agrobio e Pesca ecocompatibile

Infrastructure and links

Name
Distance

Airports

Fontanarossa, Catania

6 km

Punta Raisi, Palermo

Railway Station

Palermo centrale

Harbors

Catania

7 km

Palermo

Augusta

35 km

Pozzalo

Accessibility

  • Motorway A19 Palermo-Catania
  • Motorway A18 Catania-Messina
  • Dual carriageways link Catania with all important Sicilian cities: Palermo, Messina, Siracusa, Enna, Caltagirone and Gela

Technology transfer

Inclusion in EU project

PON Ricerca 2000-2006

Agricultural / food, Enviroment and Materials.

  • Various activities as part of the VI. Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development of the EU

MED Programme

National and European Network

Interreg III A Italy-MaltaIII B Medocc

National and European Network

  • Integrated administration of natural materials
  • Coastal protection and technologies in the agricultural food sector

Interreg III B Archimed

National and European Network

  • Human resources and development planning

Interreg IV C

National and European Network

Activities

BIOLOGICALLY DEGRADABLE TEXTILE CANVASES MADE FROM POLYMERS OF MICROBIAL ORIGIN

In the laboratories of the Science and Technology Park (PST) intensive work has been carried out on the manufacturing process of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). This only recently patented procedure obtains the PHA by the microbial fermentation from used food oils. PHA are intracellular biologically degradable polymers, which are produced by pneudomonas bacteria, and are capable of using pure carbon both from diverse sources, such as glucose and fatty acids and also from old material. The mixtures on PHA-basis and/or biomass and other biologically degradable polymers were applied by spraying or in the calender process onto recycling paper or fabric made from Chinese plant fibres (TNT) to produce mulch plates for agriculture, which enable cultures to be produced which do not differ from commercial foils.
A cooperative agreement was concluded up to 20101 with a Chinese research institute, which envisages the delivery of PHA polymers and the necessary technical support for the development of highly innovative products from plant fibres and PHA.

Selected microbes as start help (biostarter) on a yeast basis Saccharomyces cerevisiae for production improvement of bakery goods

A microbial starter on the basis of selected yeasts (sccharomyces cerevisiae) for the production of bakery goods, in particular bread, has been patented. By means of the use of specially selected yeasts both the leavening effect of the yeast and also of the shelf life of the end product are enhanced. Extremely satisfactory results were achieved by companies located in the provinces Messina and Catania.

Yeasts for production of sparkling wine and other fermented drinks

PSTSicilia has about 1 000 yeast strains in store in the company's own microorganism bank, of which two strains (saccharomyces cerevisiae and debaryomyces hansenii) were selected for the process. The tests conducted from 2003 in cooperation with a wine producer in the Province Catania resulted in the indigenous spectrum of selected yeasts giving the product a typical characteristic and an aroma, which is clearly above the commercially dry yeast. The yeasts deposited in the German Bank for International Microorganisms (OSMZ) were patented.
Currently a scientific and commercial cooperation agreement with an international company is being negotiated, which is leading in the sphere of production and marketing of oenology products.

Contacts to Germany already exist:

  • Steinbeis Foundation, Stuttgart
  • DSMZ (german gene bank)
  • Animox Gmbxh (Dr Axel Hohling)
  • Bioworld (Mr. Walf Krone)

Contacts to foreign companies are welcomed in the following areas:

We are interested in:

  • The agrar industry (applied biotechnologies
  • ICT
  • The Environment (agrar-energy: biomass, biodiesel, and bio-ethanol)
  • Cultural treasures (stones and earth, mortar and plastering)
  • Innovative materials (biologically degradable foils)

Research and Development

USE OF SCRAP FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF BIOLOGICALLY DEGRADABLE POLYMERS (PHA) FOR AGRICUTURE AND AGRAR-INDUSTRY

Description

By means of the research project, relevant methodological knowledge could be acquired, which proved to be useful in the application of scrap material from the agrar-industry. Among them are: vegetable oils and fatty acids as renewable sources for the microbial conversion into products of economic interest such as polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) for the production of biologically degradable foils for agricultural and the agrar-industry.

Aim

Two biologically degradable foils were produced and tested, which are usable for different purposes. Both products were investigated in field trials for their abilities regarding air perviousness and water resistance, their fatigue life and the versatility in use. Thereby what was examined was whether they match traditional foils emanating from the petro-chemical industry and whether they are superior to the other already tested biologically degradable materials. New test series were started, which ranged from the manufacture of PHA from plants via the gene transfer of PHA synthase to the investigation of use possibilities in new areas requiring plastic foils. The currently most important aim is the testing of plastic bags for bio-waste disposal and for shopping bags.

Incubator and Incentives

Incubator

Catania Industrial Area

Incentives

Regional incentives

  • POR 2007-2013
  • PSR 2007-2013
  • FEP 2007-2013

National incentives

  • PON Ricerca e competitività 2007 - 2013

European incentives

  • MED
  • Interreg IV C
  • ENPI
  • VII FP