Catia Bastioli
Catia Bastioli, is an Italian chemist, researcher, and entrepreneur, who from an early age was highly interested in chemistry and the natural world. Her first experience in the sector began when she became a researcher with the largest chemical group in Italy, Montedison Group. There she helped found the research center that would later become Novamont. It was there that she decided to devote her efforts to experimenting with eco-friendly materials, beginning with bioplastics. During her long and prolific career as a researcher, she has published 44 papers and is listed as an inventor on 159 patents . Bastioli is CEO of Novamont and Matrìca, of the Italian Technological Cluster of Green Chemistry SPRING, President of Terna Spa of the Kyoto Club Association and also member of the Board of Directors of Fondazione Cariplo. Over her tenure at Novamont, Catia Bastioli has served as technical director, general manager and managing director, in addition to her current role as CEO. She has been developing and field-studying the model of biorefineries which are integrated in local areas. She is also a member of important EU working groups on climate change, environment, and renewable raw materials. Education. Bastioli has a  chemistry degree from Perugia University. In 1985 she attended the Business Management school at Bocconi University. She has been chairwoman of Terna S.p.A., since May 2014 . Awards. As the prime inventor of near to 80 patent families in synthetic and natural polymers, and transformation processes of renewable raw materials, by the European Patent Office and the European Commission she was awarded "European Inventor of the Year 2007" for her inventions which related to starch-based bioplastics between the years of 1991 and 2001. Bioplastic News declared Bastioli Person of the Year, 2017. In 2019, the company Bastioli resides over  as CEO, Novamont, received the Innovation in Bioplastics Award from the Plastics Industry Association, Bioplastics Division for their development of Mater-Bi, a family of bioplastic polymers created from plant-based feedstocks.