The Institute for Research on Combustion (IRC) was founded in 1968 and it is part of the Italian National Research Council (CNR). The research activity carried out by IRC has been always devoted both to increase the knowledge of fundamental combustion phenomena and to address specific researches of practical interest in combustion and safety science. The staff of IRC is made up of 50 permanent units, of whom 20 are researchers with different cultural provenience (chemical, mechanical, aeronautical and electronic engineers, chemists and physicists).

The research activities of IRC are organized in five main areas, namely: Chemistry and physics of combustion, Technologies and combustion processes with high efficiency and low environmental impact, Combustion and gasification of fossil and alternative fuels, Catalytic materials and processes for energy and environment, Environment reclamation and prevention of risks from the use of fuels and dangerous materials.