B2956 - Circular Economy in the Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Industry

Learning outcomes

Provide fundamentals of the green and circular economy priorities and their economical, environmental and social implications, in the pharma and cosmetic industries. Basics and industrial implications associated with the products and processes co-design and the integrated valorization of the resulting wastes will be presented, also with the contribution of industrial experts.

Course contents

The major topics covered by the course are:

1)The Green and Circular Economy: basics and applications;

2) The European Green Deal and the European Implementation Action Plan on Circular economy: main contents and implications;

3) Circular economy in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries: status of its adoption but also main challenges and opportunities associated with it.

4) Eco-design of products, including packaging, their life time optimization and valorization at the end of their use in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

5) Use of secondary and renewable raw material and improvement of the efficiency of production and products delivering in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

6) Major features of most prominent waste streams generated by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors and their potential recycling and valorization.

7) Monitoring and improvement of circularity of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic value chains via LCA assessment.

Possible visits at industrial facilities and/or circular economy tailored exhibitions are foreseen

Readings/Bibliography

The use of the teaching material provided by the Professor is suggested

Teaching methods

Class lectures

Assessment methods

Achievements will be assessed by the means of a final exam. This is based on an analytical assessment of the "expected learning outcomes" described above. In order to properly assess such achievement the examination is composed of an oral session, consisting of a technical conversation on the topics covered by the lessons delivered in the class. Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subjects and a high ability to efficiently and critically present them.

To obtain a passing grade, students are required to at least demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subjects, some ability for critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language.

A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key-concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.

Teaching tools

Use of slides and teaching materials presented during the class lectures 

Office hours

See the website of Fabio Fava