The REDiRECT project continues its dissemination activities aimed at the academic world. On March 25, at the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Marco Vacchi held a seminar entitled “Technological Sustainability Assessment” for students enrolled in the Product and Process Sustainability course of the Master's Degree in Management Engineering.

The aim of the meeting was to explore the concept of technological sustainability, presented as a possible fourth dimension of sustainable development, alongside environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The topic was introduced by highlighting its growing relevance in industrial contexts characterized by rapid technological innovation and complex transformation processes.

Following an approach consistent with the holistic vision of Life Cycle Thinking and the methodological framework defined by ISO 14040, the team proposed a structured framework for assessing technological sustainability. In particular, two levels of analysis were illustrated: the assessment at the organizational level, defined as O-TSA (Organizational Technological Sustainability Assessment), and that referring to the product or process, referred to as P-TSA (Product/Process Technological Sustainability Assessment).

Within this methodological framework, the mathematical model underlying the construction of the Technological Sustainability Index was presented. This tool is designed to support comparative analysis and monitoring of technological performance over time. Attention focused on the elements that make up the index and their role in providing a structured reading of the technological maturity and reliability of solutions and processes.

During the seminar, the possible operational applications of the tool were also explored, with reference to corporate decision-making contexts and the evaluation of innovation strategies. The proposed approach allows the technological dimension to be integrated into broader sustainability assessments, strengthening the capacity for analysis throughout the life cycle.

The final part of the meeting illustrated how technological sustainability assessment and the Technological Sustainability Index will be used within the REDiRECT project. The seminar provided an opportunity to discuss emerging methodologies and innovative tools with students, helping to spread an integrated vision of sustainability applied to products, processes, and organizations.

The seminar slides are available at the following link.