Demonstrating its interest in strengthening and improving the local community and its commitment to environmental protection and circular economy, the Greek branch of the Maggioli Group participates, since Summer 2020, as a founding member together with the Technical University of Crete and the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania, in the ambitious innovation alliance In-Crete, aim at promoting circular economy in Crete and the Mediterranean region.
Its executives met last week in Chania with representatives of the other two institutions to examine the progress and next steps of the initiative, which has gained the interest of the local academic community, with its ambition to develop into an innovation hub and offer state of the art solutions tailored to the needs of Crete. Research institutions and companies outside Crete (at Greek and European level) have also expressed their interest in In-Crete.
One of the first actions of In-Crete is the project of “smart greenhouse” at CIHEAM-MAICh, in Chania, a pilot installation equipped with a multitude of sensors. Thanks to their measurements and their real-time analysis, the digital twin of the greenhouse has been created, which facilitates the research and implementation of scenarios on various forms of cultivation and ways to optimize them. The initiative is in line with the principles of open scientific data promoting research and doctoral studies at the universities and research institutes in Crete.
The goal of the initiative is the promotion and transfer of know-how in areas of great interest in Crete, such as agriculture, circular manufacturing, industrial symbiosis, sustainable tourism, and circular communities, where special attention is given to zero-waste, more environmental-friendly operations and industry-community symbiosis.
The initial tripartite team is expected to soon acquire new members, as there is a strong interest in participation by the Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas (FORTH), the Higher School of Tourism Education of Crete (ASTEK), the University of Crete and the Hellenic Mediterranean University. In a second phase, the accession of other bodies of Crete, such as chambers, hoteliers’ associations, and large local industries, is expected.