Our start-up develops advanced catalysts, innovative reactors, and sustainable chemical processes to support the chemical industry in its energy transition and decarbonization goals.
We specialize in
Design and development of electrified reactors and pre-pilot plants.
Creation of structured catalysts and innovative photocatalysts for hydrogen production and water treatmen.
Advanced process modeling using software such as Comsol Multiphysics and Matlab.
Our integrated approach combines cutting-edge research, experimental development, and emerging technologies — including microwave and Joule heating, plasma-assisted catalyst structuring, and the use of innovative materials like silicon carbide (SiC).
Our mission is to contribute actively to environmental sustainability by helping companies build more efficient, safer, and lower-impact chemical plants.
Who we are
Proceed was founded by a team of researchers and professionals with expertise in chemical engineering, catalysis, and advanced materials. Our team combines multidisciplinary skills — from catalyst design to the development of innovative reactors and advanced process modeling.
We share a clear vision: transferring knowledge developed through years of academic research into industrial solutions, contributing to the ecological transition and the decarbonization of chemical processes.
Our strength lies in people: chemical engineers, researchers, and technologists with solid scientific experience and a strong focus on practical application of technologies.
Proceed is led by our team of partners and executives, highly qualified professionals with strong scientific and industrial backgrounds. Below is a brief overview of their educational and professional journeys, reflecting our group’s ability to combine cutting-edge research with applied innovation.
CEO Proceed
Vincenzo Palma
Industrial Chemist and Full Professor of Industrial Chemistry and Nanostructured Catalysts at the University of Salerno. With decades of research experience in catalytic processes for energy and environment, his focus is on direct electrification of catalysts using microwaves and Joule heating, as well as on intensifying hydrogen production. Author of over 290 scientific publications, he is internationally recognized as a leading expert in the field.
Partner
Vincenzo Vaiano
Associate Professor of Industrial Chemistry at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno. He holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering focused on heterogeneous selective photocatalytic oxidation. He conducted research at the University of Bradford (UK). Author of over 250 scientific publications (h-index 49) and editorial board member of several international journals. His research interests include photocatalysis for sustainable chemistry, pollutant removal from wastewater, and catalytic combustion.
Partner
Giuseppina Iervolino
Assistant professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno. She earned her PhD in Industrial Engineering with a thesis on advanced oxidation processes for valorization and treatment of wastewater. Her scientific work focuses on heterogeneous photocatalysis for hydrogen production from waste substances, non-thermal plasma for emerging contaminant removal, and electrification of catalysts for reforming reactions. She is recognized among the Top 2% scientists worldwide and author of many publications.
Partner
Eugenio Meloni
Assistant professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Salerno, holding a PhD in Industrial Engineering with a focus on Chemical Engineering. His scientific activity focuses on the development of structured catalysts and innovative catalytic reactors for emission control and process intensification, with applications in DPF filter regeneration, hydrogen production, CO₂ methanation, and ammonia synthesis assisted by microwaves and non-thermal plasma. Author of numerous scientific publications, he contributes to the development of advanced technologies for sustainable chemical processes.
Partner
Palma Contaldo
Chemical engineer with several years of experience in process design and catalytic development. Graduated with honors in Chemical Engineering from the University of Salerno, she has gained significant expertise in steam reforming and hydrogen production processes, working for leading companies such as Processi Innovativi S.r.l. and KT Kinetics Technology S.p.A. She is the author of scientific publications and holder of European patents related to hydrogen-rich mixture production and contaminant removal processes. Currently, she conducts modeling research on selective propane dehydrogenation at the University of Salerno, where she holds a research fellowship.
Partner
Liberato Cafiero
PhD candidate in Innovative Engineering Technologies for Industrial Sustainability (IETIS) at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno. He earned his Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering with a thesis on the electrification of the ammonia synthesis process using non-thermal plasma. His research focuses on the use of innovative catalysts and chemical reactor technologies to enhance industrial sustainability, particularly through cold plasma-assisted catalysis for processes such as CO2 methanation.
Partner
Concetta Ruocco
Chemical Engineer and PhD in Industrial Engineering with a thesis titled “Catalysts for sustainable hydrogen production via bioethanol reforming in a fluidized bed membrane reactor.” She focuses on sustainable hydrogen production processes, with particular attention to the conversion of renewable sources. Currently, she works as technical-administrative staff at the Processes and Catalysis for Energy and Environment Laboratory within the Department of Industrial Engineering.
Partner
Olga Muccioli
Chemical Engineer with a PhD in Chemical Engineering earned at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno (2021–2024). She obtained her Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 2021 with a thesis on the development of structured catalysts for microwave-assisted N2O decomposition. Her research focused on the development of innovative catalysts electrified by alternative heating techniques, such as microwaves and Joule effect, for the dehydrogenation of propane to propylene. Since November 2024, she has been a research fellow at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials and Environment, University of Rome La Sapienza, working on projects related to CO2 capture using nano-adsorbents and subsequent catalytic conversion.
Partner
Emilia Saraceno
PhD candidate in Innovative Engineering Technologies for Industrial Sustainability (IETIS) at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno. In June 2022, she earned a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering with honors (110/110 cum laude), presenting a thesis on process intensification of the dry reforming reaction using microwave-susceptible structured catalysts. Since November 2022, she has been pursuing her PhD with a project co-funded by ENEA, focused on the development of catalysts for the hydrogasification of carbonaceous materials and biomass, aimed at valorizing plastic waste into methane.
Partner
Laura Chianese
PhD candidate in Industrial Engineering (Chemical Engineering curriculum) at the Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, with a research project focused on the catalytic conversion of hydrogen-enriched syngas produced by electrolysis for methanol production (project co-funded by ENEA). She earned her Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering in 2022 from the University of Salerno, with a thesis on the development of photocatalysts for arsenic removal from contaminated water. During her academic studies, she developed a strong interest and skills in the application of catalysis in industrial chemical processes, enhancing her problem-solving, time management, and data analysis abilities.
Partner
Chiara Falchetta
Chiara Falchetta graduated in Chemical Engineering in 2023 from the University of Salerno with a thesis on photocatalytic hydrogen production from gallic acid using catalysts synthesized via supercritical CO₂. She obtained her professional qualification as an Industrial Engineer in November 2023. She is currently a PhD candidate in Industrial Engineering (40th cycle) at the University of Salerno, with a project focused on electrified catalytic reactors for the ammonia cracking process.