The first engineering degree course aimed at paper and converting industry, promoted by the Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering of the University of Pisa, kicked off last October 2020 in Lucca.
Unique in Italy, the master degree in “Technology and production of paper and cardboard” is proposed at the service of the most important economic district in the province of Lucca, but with international aspirations and collaborations with various universities throughout Europe. In fact, the University intends to create a joint degree course with some European universities for future editions.
The study plan includes, for the first year, the study of chemistry and technology of paper, computer-assisted design, mechanical design and construction of machines, machines for production of paper and cardboard, automation and drives, information technology for the industry. In the second year, students will focus on: paper and cardboard converting equipments, energy systems and energy efficiency, industrial maintenance management, sustainability and circular economy. There are also two elective exams and a company internship that precedes the final thesis.
Many local companies but also multinationals collaborating in the degree course: Sofidel, Lucart, DsSmith, Toscotec, Fosber, Oradoc, Cartografica Galeotti, Mondialcarta, ACelli, Pcmc, Lucense, Ecoverde, EcolStudio, Cartiere Modesto Cardella. But also national trade associations such as Assocarta and Aticelca, together with Confindustria Toscana Nord, worked on the definition of the study plan.
“With this degree program, a highly specialized professional figure is created – says Marco Frosolini, professor at the University of Pisa and president of the course – with interdisciplinary training on processes, systems and products characteristic of the paper industry. Great attention will be paid to the study and research on processes, materials and enabling technologies for the new models of industry 4.0 and circular economy, to which the paper industry is also focusing its attention. Finally, it is important to remember that the course was born with an absolute international vocation: courses in English, contacts with European universities and institutions, with the aim to arrive, in a not too distant future, at a joint course with major European universities”.
The new course is the final element of a long training course already well established in the area, which includes specialized professional paths in high schools, the development of ITS courses dedicated to paper and cardboard, to get to the three-year degrees in industrial engineering and chemistry with characterized modules specifically created for this important economic sector.
One of the broader objectives of the degree is undoubtedly the establishment of a specialized and dedicated research center at disposal of the paper district. “This will allow companies – continues prof. Frosolini – to study innovative at no additional cost issues such as industry 4.0 and technologies for digitization, nanomaterials, biopolymers or conductive inks. All this to concretely implement the technology transfer that the sector needs”.
For detailed information, you can connect to the University of Pisa website dedicated to the degree or call the didactic secretariat of Lucca at Celsius company – info@celsius.lucca.it
