La Spezia, Italy | November 27th, 2025
Second Italian T-Lab
Within the framework of the 2B-BLUE project, Italy is developing and valorizing two pilot activities, the first led by CNR and the second by ENEA. On November 27, 2025, a Transformative Laboratory (T-Lab) was organized, focusing on the pilot led by ENEA, which is implemented as part of the Smart Bay Santa Teresa initiative, a cooperation platform bringing together research institutes, local stakeholders, and public authorities, located in the Gulf of La Spezia.
The technical components of the pilot are funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) through the RAISE, NBFC and EMBRC-UP projects. Within 2B-BLUE, the pilot focuses in particular on stakeholder engagement and the initial set-up of the technical framework, strengthening links between research, innovation and local actors.
The pilot aims to protect the native flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) through the deployment of artificial reef systems in the bay. These reefs incorporate recycled bivalve shells, such as shells from Pacific oysters, into the construction material.
At the same time, the pilot supports marine habitat restoration and the reuse of mussel-farming waste, following a circular economy approach. The artificial reefs are expected to support the repopulation of O. edulis by creating suitable habitats for settlement and growth.
The T-Lab was organized alongside the Smart Bay Santa Teresa event, promoted by ENEA in collaboration with the University of Genoa and the Port Authority of the Eastern Ligurian Sea, with technical support from ISIG.
More information: https://smartbaysteresa.com/en/
Photos: ENEA
