Re-Think Circular Economy Forum returns to Taranto

Tondo, an international organization working in the field of circular economy, announces the eighth edition of Re-think – Circular Economy Forum, with main partner Eni.


After the great success of the previous editions, in September 2021 and October 2022, circular economy returns to Taranto, the protagonist of the event that brings together experts, scholars, companies, start-ups and institutions, in various capacities committed to the themes of innovation and sustainability.


Re-think – Circular Economy Forum will take place in presence on October 17 and 18, 2023 at the Ionian Department of the University of Bari in Taranto and will then be followed on October 19 by the Circular Bootcamp, an open-door discussion moment between companies and startups, organized by Joule, Eni’s school for business.


“The confirmation of Taranto as a venue for this event – the comment of Mayor Rinaldo Melucci, – does not only derive from the quality of our hospitality, or more generically from the charm of the city. These are inescapable elements, of course, but it is the liveliness of the debate that has been unraveling in recent years that has made these venues ideal for experimenting with and delving into issues related to circular economy. In short, we are a cultural gymnasium that attracts the best minds, leaving on the ground ideas and projects that will germinate precisely thanks to the care of realities like Re-think.“


The event will present a view on macro-trends, possible evolutionary paths and main projects of the Circular Economy at local, national and international levels. The main purpose is to stimulate the birth of innovative and entrepreneurial activities in Taranto that have a positive impact on the local and national economic system.


Over the course of the two days, there will be a number of speeches by corporations, startups, research organizations and institutional players who are pursuing and supporting projects on the Circular Economy at the local, national and international levels. The event will cover three main topics: energy transition and sustainable mobility, technologies and trends in the energy field that use new energy sources, such as the possibilities offered by biofuels, biogas, hydrogen or other forms of renewable energy; circular ports and blue economy, emerging technologies and trends that transform ports and the sea into places where the circular economy can be implemented; and waste and water valorization, technologies and trends that enable the valorization and optimization of production processes from a circular perspective.


“We are very pleased, – commented Francesco Castellano, CEO and Founder of Tondo, – to return for the third time to Taranto with Re-Think Circular Economy Forum, promoting numerous circular economy initiatives in the city and region. During the event we will also be happy to present another Tondo project dedicated to the city: the Taranto Circular Platform, which will encourage the growth of Taranto startups and realities related to the circular economy.”


In parallel to the main event, additional initiatives will be organized to involve the university world and enhance the entrepreneurship present at the event. First of all, a showcase will be set up: booths will be set up within the event area for startups, corporations, research centers and other entities where products and projects will be displayed to encourage exchanges of best practices, industrial symbiosis and business matching. Tondo has also organized a hackathon, in which groups of university students from the Puglia region will be able to develop project proposals with the aim of implementing Circular Economy principles in the sectors covered during the event. More information will soon be available on the event website.


Finally, during the event, Taranto Circular, a project conceived and promoted by Tondo whose goal is to create a digital platform to promote the Circular Economy on Taranto, will be presented. In addition to explaining the study and presenting its results, an award will be given to the project that is most innovative and circular for the area.


“The concept of sustainability, – says Salvatore Toma, president of Confindustria Taranto, – has entered the lexicon of Confindustria Taranto for some time now. There is no doubt that it is a complex process that requires time and will, which is why we have developed a system of actions and interventions aimed at spreading good “sustainable” practices and supporting their adoption by member companies. The project is already underway and the interest we have seen so far leads us to believe that we are on the right track.”


The Main Partner of Re-think Circular Economy Forum in Taranto is Eni. Partners include Eni Joule, Confindustria Taranto, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy, SRIP – Circular Economy and BaLab.


The event has obtained the patronage of the European Commission Representation in Italy, the Apulia Region, the Municipality of Taranto, ARTI Puglia – Regional Agency for Technology and Innovation, the Taranto Chamber of Commerce, the Jonian Dolphin Association, IRSA-CNR, the Order of Engineers, the University of Bari, the University of Foggia, and LUM University – Libera Università Mediterranea “Giuseppe Degennaro.”


For more information, you can visit the event website: https://re-think.today/taranto-event-2023.php



Francesco Castellano

Francesco Castellano is a seasoned business leader and strategist with over 20 years of experience spanning research, finance, consulting, and entrepreneurship. He has held impactful roles, including serving as a consultant at Bain & Company, launching Uber operations in Turin, and working as Managing Director of a Swiss start-up. In recent years, Francesco Castellano founded Tondo, a hub of... Read more

Francesco Castellano is a seasoned business leader and strategist with over 20 years of experience spanning research, finance, consulting, and entrepreneurship. He has held impactful roles, including serving as a consultant at Bain & Company, launching Uber operations in Turin, and working as Managing Director of a Swiss start-up.

In recent years, Francesco Castellano founded Tondo, a hub of organizations dedicated to promoting Circular Economy approaches and supporting companies in transitioning to sustainable and circular practices. He is also the ideator and coordinator of the Re-think Circular Economy Forum, a high-profile event held across Italy to showcase innovative Circular Economy solutions.

Francesco Castellano collaborates with European institutions, serving as an expert for the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative and mentoring startups in the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s (EIT) New European Bauhaus Booster Program. Through these roles, he actively supports the development and scaling of circular economy ventures across Europe.

He is also a sought-after speaker and lecturer, sharing his expertise on Circular Economy, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at universities and international events. Francesco holds executive education certificates from prestigious institutions such as MIT, Harvard, and the University of Virginia, further solidifying his credentials in strategy, sustainability, and innovation.

Fluent in Italian, English, and Spanish, Francesco Castellano combines his diverse skill set with a passion for Circular Economy, Cleantech Innovations, and Entrepreneurship. His strong background in Corporate Strategy, Sustainability, Innovation Development, and Finance enables him to drive impactful change in every initiative he undertakes.

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