Innovation and Sustainability in the Wood Industry: Insight from the Mics Project

This contribution explores the intersection between technological innovation, sustainability and territorial development and in Italy’s wood industry, with a focus on the MICS Made in Italy Circular and Sustainable (MICS) project. Funded by NextGenerationEU (NGEU), MICS aims to promote circular supply chains in various sectors, including furniture, especially in areas with small and scattered enterprises lacking the resources to independently innovate.

Through the Forward sub-project, as part of MICS, this study examines the case of the “Alta Irpinia” area in the Campania Region (South of Italy), where the wood industry faces significant challenges related to innovation and sustainability.The paper highlights the critical role of institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement in MICS’s methodological approach. This one includes data collection from official sources, interview, focus group and living lab with local stakeholders, entrepreneurs and artisans.

More specifically, the research analyzes how local policies, institutional frameworks and stakeholder capabilities shape the innovation potential of the wood industry in this area. Findings indicate that while these enterprises struggle with limited infrastructure and market reach, the established relational skills and territorial resources offer strong growth potential.

Furthermore, the study emphasizes the importance of collaborative networks in overcoming systemic barriers to innovation, underlining the role of both formal and informal partnerships between institutions, industries, and local actors. By presenting initial results from the Forward sub-project, this paper contributes to the broader discourse on science, technology, and innovation systems, proposing a replicable model for integrating local craftsmanship with advanced technological processes. The research ultimately demonstrates how fostering circular economies in the wood industry can create new opportunities for sustainable development in internal areas.