A journey through biodiversity: an evening at TheNicePlace
TheNicePlace, Nice's experiential space designed to foster connections, ideas, and encounters, hosted the event “Journey into biodiversity”. The evening brought together Nice and Valcucine around shared values of innovation, design, and sustainability.
The event also celebrated the connection both companies have with Bioforest, the association founded by Valcucine in 1998 to promote a production culture that is more environmentally conscious and focused on regenerating natural resources. Since 2024, Nice has also chosen to support Bioforest, embracing its values and objectives.
Before the conference, we had the opportunity to visit Nice's headquarters, gaining first-hand insight into their operations, production processes, and philosophy, which places people and well-being at the center of innovation.
The evening began with speeches by Lauro Buoro, Founder and Chairman of Nice and BeNice Holding, and Mario Petracco, Chairman of Valcucine and Bioforest, who highlighted how the collaboration between the two companies represents an opportunity to jointly build a future where ethics, innovation, and sustainability reinforce one another.
The core of the event focused on sustainability and the various ways it can be interpreted and practiced.
Marta Gemin, Sustainability Coordinator at Nice, and Vincenzo Giraldo, Chief Technology Officer, shared Nice's sustainability journey and the Robus BioBased research project, aimed at developing more sustainable packaging.
Following this, Gabriele Centazzo, founder and creative soul of Valcucine and Bioforest, presented his reflections on Ethics and Design, recalling how Valcucine pioneered a path in the 1980s where design and ethical responsibility coexist in balance, and how each project can make a tangible contribution to protecting the planet.
Marta Gemin, Sustainability Coordinator Nice
Vincenzo Giraldo, Chief Technology Officer Nice
Gabriele Centazzo, founder Valcucine and Bioforest
The highlight of the evening was the presentation by Prof. Giovanni Onore, internationally renowned entomologist and Marianist missionary. Founder of the Otonga Project in Ecuador – supported by Bioforest – Onore has dedicated his life to preserving the Andean forests, among the richest in biodiversity in the world.
Through his storytelling, he took us on a journey to the heart of Ecuador, exploring rare species, local communities, and protected forests, reminding us that biodiversity is a wealth that is not only natural, but also cultural and ethical, requiring everyone's contribution.
Giovanni Onore, entomologist and founder of the Otonga project
The evening also served as a moment of connection and dialogue between colleagues from Nice and Valcucine, who shared experiences, curiosities, and common visions for a sustainable future.
The event celebrated not only a corporate collaboration but, above all, a shared commitment to the environment and sustainability, reflecting the values that unite Nice and Valcucine: responsible innovation, conscious design, and attention to the well-being of people and the planet.
