The Research & Innovation Coffee Hub (RICH) and the University of Camerino are pleased to announce the first edition of Science Driven Coffee Cup, an international scientific conference dedicated to innovation and interdisciplinary research in the coffee sector. The event will take place on November 19-20, 2026 (registration available at https://sdcc.unicam.it/) at the Simonelli Group Campus in Belforte del Chienti, Italy.
Science Driven Coffee Cup has been conceived as a platform for dialogue and collaboration among academia, research institutions, industry, and the coffee community. The conference will bring together researchers, professionals, companies, and experts from different countries with the goal of advancing coffee knowledge through an integrated scientific approach. Disciplines such as chemistry, biology, neuroscience, data science, and consumer research will provide complementary perspectives to address the challenges and opportunities of the entire coffee value chain, from raw materials to the consumer experience.
“At Simonelli Group, we believe that technological development cannot exist without scientific research and the continuous growth of knowledge. This is why we have been collaborating for decades with universities and international research centers active in a variety of scientific fields. The performance of our technologies is the clearest proof of this commitment,” says Marco Feliziani, CEO of Simonelli Group. “In 2016, together with the University of Camerino, we decided to make a direct contribution to this journey by establishing the Research & Innovation Coffee Hub (RICH), a center dedicated to coffee research that creates a bridge between academia and industry. The objective of RICH is to generate new knowledge and expand the scientific understanding of coffee, creating value across the entire supply chain. Science Driven Coffee Cup is the result of this vision: sharing research outcomes, encouraging dialogue among experts, and continuing to build the future of coffee on a solid scientific foundation.”
“The collaboration with Simonelli Group is a tangible example of how dialogue between universities and industry can transform research and knowledge into innovation and value for the local area and for the entire supply chain,” said Graziano Leoni, Rector of the University of Camerino. “The role of a university is not only to generate new knowledge, but also to create the conditions for that knowledge to be shared, transferred, and translated into opportunities for development. This is one of the core missions in which UNICAM strongly believes and to which it is committed through concrete investment and action. I would therefore like to thank all the UNICAM researchers involved in the activities of RICH, whose expertise and ability to engage with the business community represent the true driving force behind knowledge transfer and innovation. Initiatives such as Science Driven Coffee Cup demonstrate the importance of creating opportunities where scientific research, industry, and expertise can come together, interact, and engage in meaningful dialogue.”
In addition to the scientific sessions, the Science Driven Coffee Cup program will offer networking opportunities, insights into the latest developments in coffee science, and direct exchanges with some of the most respected international experts across the various disciplines represented at the conference.
Science Driven Coffee Cup aims to become a landmark event for both the scientific and professional coffee communities. The conference holds special significance as it coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Research & Innovation Coffee Hub. Over the years, the research center has established itself as an international reference point in the study of coffee and coffee based products, milk, and alternative beverages through numerous scientific publications, educational initiatives, and participation in conferences worldwide. To attend the conference, which will take place on November 19-20, 2026, at the Simonelli Group Campus, participants simply need to register at https://sdcc.unicam.it/.
