The RE-CORD team is a highly specialized crew of PhD, Post Doc and Master Degrees on several subjects who work side by side in an extremely interdisciplinary approach, key to successful research and demonstration in a wide and complex field like bioenergy and bioeconomy.
The RE-CORD team covers the following main competencies areas:
The consortium is managed and represented by the President, directly designated by the Assembly. The organisation is structured into departments:
President
David Chiaramonti is Mechanical Engineer, PhD in Energetics, Full Professor at the Polytechnic of Turin, "Galileo Ferraris" Energy Departmet (DENERG). He was adjunct Professor at the University of Florence for the Renewable Energies course (Degree in Mechanical Engineering and Environment and Territory), and the Master course in Bioenergy and Environment ( IMES). In 2010 he was elected president of the Research Consortium and the Demonstration on Renewable Energies (RE-CORD). He is member of the Technical-Scientific Committee of SPRING (the Italian National Cluster on Bioeconomy), scientific coordinator of the DG Energy ART Fuel Forum (the EU industrial platform on Advanced Bio- and Low Carbon Fuels), Italian member of the ICAO Fuel Transport Group (nominated by ENAC) on Sustainable Aviation Fuels, and participates to several others International and National organisations.
david.chiaramonti@re-cord.org
Chief Executive Officer
Stefano holds a Master’s Degree in Forestry Science (summa cum laude) at University of Florence, a Ph.D. in Plant Production Science (curriculum in Plant Pathology) at University of Pisa. Stefano has a twenty years experience in consulting and planning activities also in International and large projects. He is experienced in Rural Development, EU-Funded Projects, Sustainable Forest Managment, Environmental matters and Landscape. He is General Manager at Local Action Group Start srl and since November 2019 CEO of Consortium Re-Cord.
stefano.santarelli@re-cord.org
Technical Director
Andrea holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, a MEng (with honors) in Energy Engineering and a BEng in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florence. As Technical Director, in RE-CORD he supervises the acquisition, deployment, execution of the Consortium’s activities, technical initiatives and projects. Andrea has 10+ years experience in EU-funded research and development projects on pyrolysis, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), advanced lignocellulosic biofuels, and regional/national research projects in his field of expertise. Registered Professional Engineer since 2013 with experience in HVAC systems and components.
andreamaria.rizzo@re-cord.org
Head of Raw Materials & Carbon Recycling Business Unit, Tender, grants & funding Operating Group Leader
Tender, grants & funding Operating Group Leader
After graduating in Industrial Engineering, he was project manager for EUBIA (European Biomass Industry Association), from 2012 to 2017. During these years he coordinated the international research projects development, focused on the exploitation and upgrade of residual biomass into bioproducts and biofuels. From 2013 to 2016 he was also coordinator of the NEWAPP project, funded by the European Commission FP7 programme. In 2015 he graduated in Energy and Nuclear Engineering from the University of Florence. From 2017 to 2019 he worked at INGELIA, firstly covering the role of Business Development Engineer at the Valencia headquarters, then the role of R&D Manager at the associated INGELIA Italy. In September 2019 he officially joined the Re-Cord team as a R&D engineer. His research activity is focused on residual biomass thermo-chemical treatment technologies for the extraction of critical raw materials, bioenergy and biofuels.
andrea.salimbeni@re-cord.org
R&D Engineer
Giacomo Talluri is a mechanical engineer; his research interests mainly concern the development of innovative systems for the integration of generation from renewable sources into the electrical system. Within this framework he has carried out research on possible implementations of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and has been involved in the analysis of the current regulatory system of support to renewable sources and bioenergy. He has participated in regional projects for the activation of technology transfer processes in the biomass and bioenergy sector. He currently works on the ART Fuel Forum project, a European platform for the policy proposal to support the development of alternative and advanced biofuels market.
giacomo.talluri@re-cord.org
R&D Engineer
Marta holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering from the University of Florence. She graduated in 2021 with a thesis on critical raw materials recovery from industrial sludge by thermochemical and chemical treatment. In 2021, she joined RE-CORD as R&D engineer. Her work focuses mainly on the circular valorization of waste streams and critical raw material recovery from waste.
marta.dibianca@re-cord.org
R&D Engineer
Caterina holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from University of Florence. After a 7-months internship at the Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML) of Leiden University (the Netherlands), she graduated in May 2022 with a thesis on the environmental impact of micro and nanoplastics in agricultural lands. In October 2022, she joined Re-Cord as R&D engineer. Her work is centered on circular economy and waste valorization, with a focus on carbon recycling and critical raw materials
caterina.borchi@re-cord.org
R&D Scientist
Niccolò holds a Master’s degree in Industrial Chemistry from University of Pisa. After completing a 9-months internship at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (USA) he graduated during summer 2023 defending a thesis on chemical recycling of mixed plastic waste aiming to feedstock recycling of carboxylic acids. He joined RE-CORD team in November 2023 as R&D Chemist. His work focuses on sustainable development and circularity, with specific interest on secondary raw materials and waste valorization.
niccolo.pezzati@re-cord.org
Head of Thermal Processes Business Unit
Edoardo Miliotti, PhD, is an energy engineer whose research activity focuses mainly on thermochemical conversion of biomass and other residual feedstock for biofuel/bioproduct production, both solid and liquid. He is particularly interested in hydrothermal carbonization/liquefaction, pyrolysis and physical and chemical activation for activated carbon production. He is currently dedicated to the activities of the H2020 project HEAT-TO-FUEL, regarding hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass and he is the project manager of Prodotti bioattivi da alghe infestanti, an Italian project on the management and valorisation of infesting macroalgae. He is also interested in measurement, instrumentation and LabVIEW programming.
In 2019 Edoardo won FABER 2.0 call, a project promoted by Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze in collaboration with Confindustria Firenze and the Research & Innovation Foundation of the University of Florence to promote technology transfer in small and medium-sized enterprises.
edoardo.millotti@re-cord.org
R&D Engineer
Giacomo Lombardi holds a Master’s Degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Florence. He's been part of the design group of an autothermal pyrolysis PDU for lignocellulosic biomass (SPIRO), and joined the project team for the design, testing and analysis of experimental data of the demo plant for biomass carbonization.
giacomo.lombardi@re-cord.org
R&D Engineer
Alessio holds a Master’s Degree in Energy Engineering from the University of Florence. During his thesis he focused on hydrothermal liquefaction, with a focus on sewage sludge conversion and carrying out experiments for acqueos phase valorization. From May 2021 he has joined RE-CORD team as a R&D Engineer.
alessio.miniati@re-cord.org
Technician
Simone Piazzini has got his high school graduation at the Institute of Higher Studies Chino Chini in Borgo San Lorenzo where he acquired theoretical and practical skills in maintenance and technical assistance. Simone carried out his internship program (“alternanza scuola-lavoro”) in a company dealing with installation and maintenance of civil and industrial plants, according to the Decreto Ministeriale 37/2008. During its studies Simone took part in several meetings with local companies organized by the school. Simone has been working in RE-CORD within the thermal processes business unit since December 2021.
simone.piazzini@re-cord.org
R&D Engineer
Amr Sanad obtained his MSc degree in Energy resources engineering from Egypt Japan University of science and technology, Alexandria, Egypt in 2022. His focus in research during MSc was on Pyrolysis and Diesel engine performance using alternative fuels, producing a thesis titled “Biochar Production Through Carbonization of Water Hyacinth and its Application as a Fuel Additive”. Additionally, he worked on the production of carbon nanotubes (CNT) from diesel engine as an added value product. Prior to this, he obtained his BSc in Automotive Engineering from Politecnico di Torino, Turin, Italy in 2016, with a thesis titled “Heat Propagation Analysis and Control in Extreme Conditions ‘Analysis for NUMEN Experiment’”. Amr Joined RE-CORD in May 2023 as an R&D Engineer, to continue his research in the field of biomass and waste valorization through Thermochemical conversion techniques in various projects, from Pyrolysis and combustion to Gasification and Hydrothermal treatment.
amr.sanad@re-cord.org
Head of Agro-Bio-Clima Business Unit
Dr. David Casini is an environmental engineer with a particular focus on the exploitation of biomass for energy purposes, completing the IMES master in bioenergy and environment. Among others, he has participated in numerous national and international projects on topics related to microalgae, the thermochemical conversion of biomass, anaerobic digestion and the development of biofuels for aviation. His main research areas are technologies related to the production of microalgal biomass and the design of related implants, the use and characterization of biochar as an innovative product. Regarding the issue of microalgae David Casini has been involved in projects for many years with the aim of designing innovative production plants, reducing the energy consumption of traditional systems and applying these innovations to large-scale plants. Autotrophy plants have been designed, of about 1 ha in size (hybrid systems with raceway ponds), whose energy balance has also been made. The main projects that include the activities mentioned above are: Alternative fuels for civil aviation (ENAC - Italy), BIOFAT Project (EU-FP7): BIOfuels From Algae Technologies, Microalgae for Bioenergy (Consortium AlgaeFuels - Chile), Project MAMBO ( Assocostieri - Italy): Microalgae as a raw material for bio-oil.
david.casini@re-cord.org
Senior Agronomist
Tommaso Barsali, graduated in Tropical Agronomy, is a Project Manager and Biomass Specialist for Re-Cord since 2018, where he manages the BIO4A project and supervises the agronomic research involving biochar. A former R&D specialist for the lignocellulosic biofuel industry, he collaborates in agronomic research for biofuels projects, in international cooperation and rural development.
tommaso.barsali@re-cord.org
Agro-Bio Processes Researcher
Data Quality & Statistics Operating Group Leader
Francesca Tozzi earns a PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of Florence. She has experiences in the cultivation of horticultural and ornamental plants under both greenhouse and field conditions. She is specialized in the development and management of agronomic trials, statistical analysis, and data elaborations. She has a multidisciplinary knowledge in plant physiology, food quality and safety, soil chemical fertility and ecotoxicology. Currently, she works at RE-CORD in the agro-bio process business unit, and she is responsible for the data quality and statistics.
francesca.tozzi@re-cord.org
Head of Laboratory Business Unit
Lorenzo Bettucci, graduated in Chemistry, works at the RE-CORD Laboratory in Scarperia as a laboratory specialist dealing with the execution of chemical analyzes, the development of analytical methods, as well as the management of laboratory instruments and chemical resources. With decades of experience working in chemical laboratories, he deals with analyzes in the field of renewable energy (biomass, biofuels) and in the field of industrial chemistry (chemicals, catalysts, polymers).
lorenzo.bettucci@re-cord.org
Laboratory Specialist
Giulia Lotti is a biotechnologist employed at the RE-CORD Laboratory where she performs characterization analyzes of biomass and biofuels. The research fields that mainly concern her are the analysis of complex mixtures using chromatographic techniques (GC-MS / FID; HPLC) and the growth of microorganisms in bioreactor for the production of specific chemicals production. Graduated in Molecular and Industrial Biotechnology at the University of Perugia. Her specialized thesis activity concerned the production of bioethanol from wood chips through steam explosion and a study of optimization of yields through the microbial treatment of waste liquids
giulia.lotti@re-cord.org
Laboratory technician
Mattia Monastra has got his high school graduation in Chemistry, Materials and Biotechnology at the Institute of Higher Studies Tullio Buzzi in Prato where he has acquired theoretical and practical skills in laboratory work, and he is now a chemistry student at University of Florence. Mattia carried out his internship program (“alternanza scuola-lavoro”) in RE-CORD in 2018 and in 2020 started working for RE-CORD after another job experience in a chemical company.
mattia.monastra@re-cord.org
Laboratory technician
Samuele Zanieri has got his scientific high school graduation at the Institute of Higher Studies Giotto Ulivi in Borgo San Lorenzo (FI). While now he is attending the University of Biological Sciences in Florence where he carried out an internship program on the immune system of the wasps. Since 2021 Samuele works in RE-CORD as a laboratory technician.
samuele.zanieri@re-cord.org
Certifications & Communication
Silvia Pennazzi is a Ph.D. in Physics and has been working in RE-CORD since 2016. She attended the master IMES organized by CREAR (Interdepartmental Research Center for Alternative and Renewable Energy) and University of Florence. After that she has worked for many years in the field of Renewable Energies and Green Economy. She worked in several companies, both in Italy and abroad, in technical, commercial and business development areas. In RE-CORD she has been laboratory manager. Now she is responsible for communication and certifications, bringing the company to the ISO 9001 certification.
silvia.pennazzi@re-cord.org
Head of Administration Business Unit
Salvatore Carvelli, first level degree in "Administration, Economics and Business Law" and Master's Degree in "Professional Business Consultancy" at the University of Pisa. Recent experiences and studies include knowledge in corporate law, tax law, insolvency procedures, business analysis, financial statements, financial statements, accounting, business strategy and strategic planning. Work experience in professional offices and in companies in the world of food (MACOLIVE TRADING SPA) and luxury (Prada). Currently collaborator of the RE-CORD consortium and of the research projects “Advanced sustainable biofuels for aviation” and “Master program on bio-based circular economy: from fields to bioenergy, biofuel and bioproducts in China”.
salvatore.carvelli@re-cord.org
Administrative Accountant
Marco is accounting administrative manager. He graduated in Professional Business Consulting at the University of Pisa. After the master degree, he started a professional traineeship in a Chartered Accounting Firm. In July 2019 he began the collaboration with RE-CORD managing employees’ salaries and contracts, supervising budgets data for National and International projects where RE-CORD is involved as coordinator or partner.
marco.fodera@re-cord.org
Tender, Grants & Fundings R&D ENGINEER
Leonardo Nibbi, currently Research Fellow at the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Florence on behalf of the CREAR (Interdepartmental Research Center for Alternative and Renewable Energy). His experience in the field of renewables, started in 1999 and initially dedicated to biomass energy supply chain logistics with particular attention to the use of the GIS tool for its correct planning, has extended over the years to all the problems related to biomass (estimation of productivity, conversion technologies, sustainability etc.) and also to micro / mini wind (evaluation of wind power and micro farm wind farms).
leonardo.nibbi@re-cord.org
Professor of Chemistry
Luca Rosi is Associate Professor of Industrial Chemistry at the Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff” of the University of Florence and Adjunct Research Professor at the Department of Chemical Biochemical Engineering, of Western University (London Ontario, CA). The scientific activity of Luca Rosi was initially focalized on the studies in the field of the homogenous catalysis being interested in particular to the reactivity of complexes of metals of VIII the group (Ru, Co, Pd). Nowadays the attention has been mainly focused on pyrolytic processes adopting microwaves for the treatment of End-Of-Life polymeric parts (e.g. tires, post-consumer plastics, plastic solid waste, shredded mix, WEEE) and/or biomass (waste) in useful products or fuels (Value). Great attention has been paid to bio oil and char from pyrolysis
luca.rosi@re-cord.org