Bari, 17 February 2026 – Projected onto an exterior wall of the building, the slogans, in an imperative tone, were intended to encourage thoughtful reflection on the issues of energy saving, environmental sustainability, and the responsible use of resources.

On the occasion of the lighting, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Poliba, Michele Ruta, intended to emphasize that the “The Polytechnic must be present and shout to the territory that we are aligned in this battle for energy saving, environmental protection, conscious lifestyles for, and above all, for the new generations.”

The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the other universities of Puglia, saw the participation of Meit srl, specialized in real estate asset management, energy and engineering services, with the President of Meit srl, Donato Dell’Anna, intending to highlight the collaboration with Poliba in the initiative aimed at “contributing to raising community awareness on environmental sustainability issues, promoting everyday actions capable of generating a positive impact on the environment.”

These are the eight suggestions proposed in the projection on a green background, which will be repeated every afternoon from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. until 20 February: Turn off and breathe. The future matters. Act now. Every gesture counts. Respect the planet. Care for resources. Protect the future. Be aware.

Bari, 16 February 2026 - The Polytechnic University of Bari is taking part in the 2026 edition of “I Light Up with Less - Energy Saving and Sustainable Lifestyles Day” promoted by Caterpillar, Rai Radio2 (www.caterpillar.rai.it) scheduled throughout Italy on 16 February.

It will do so with the RUS, the Network of Universities for Sustainable Development (www.reterus.it), which in Puglia includes, in addition to Poliba, the universities: “Aldo Moro” of Bari, Foggia, Salento and LUM, all united in promoting concrete actions for energy saving and sustainable lifestyles.

The actions planned by the Polytechnic also involve Meit srl, an ESCo company specialized in property management, energy services and engineering.  

At the Polytechnic, for one week, from 16 to 20 February, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., concurrently with the shutdown of the new Rectorate building (university campus), awareness messages will be projected onto the building wall (Re David Street side) to encourage thoughtful reflection on energy saving, environmental sustainability and the responsible use of resources.

This is intended to promote an immersive experience capable of combining visual communication and environmental awareness, in line with the values and objectives of the national initiative. The 2026 edition will focus on the crucial role of women and men scientists in researching solutions to the climate crisis and in building virtuous models.

On the occasion of the national day, 16 February, at 6:00 p.m., at the building of the new rectorate of the Polytechnic, the outdoor projection will be activated in the presence of the Rector, faculty members and students, and representatives of Meit srl.

Bari, 11 February 2026 -   Green Life 4 Seas (GREen ENgineering solutions: a new LIFE FOR SEdiments And Shells) is the European project, funded under the European LIFE Programme, which aims to transform the problem of the difficult disposal of two categories of marine-derived waste: dredged port sediments and mussel shells, into a large-scale industrial resource for the production of new manufactured products with greater energy savings.

With a five-year duration (2023-2028) and funding of approximately 4 million euros, GL4S is coordinated by the Polytechnic University of Bari. Launched in 2023, the project has achieved promising technical-scientific results that have been translated into several prototypes of industrial products, including full-scale ones, suitable for production and on-site testing, namely in the ports participating in the project: the Port of Bari and Barletta, the Port of La Spezia and the Port of Piraeus (Athens) in Greece.

At the midpoint of the research and experimentation process, GL4S will receive a visit from Dr Yael Meroz, Senior Monitoring expert for the European LIFE Programmes on the days 12 and 13 February near the Polytechnic University of Bari. All project partners will be present at the visit. On this occasion, the Coast Guard, a partner affiliated with GL4S, has organised, for the day 12 February, 3:00 p.m., at the Maritime Directorate of the Bari Coast Guard, a technical session aimed at initiating the concrete implementation of a virtuous supply chain for the collection of mussel shell waste. This is the programme at the Coast Guard.

12 February, 3:00 p.m. . Institutional greetings by Rear Admiral Donato De Carolis, Commander of the Maritime Directorate of Puglia and Ionian Basilicata. The President of AdSPMAM, the Director of DICATECh, CF (CP) Tommaso Capodiferro of the Coast Guard, the European senior monitor of the LIFE Programme, Yael Meroz, the President of AMIU, Antonella Lomoro, and the regional councillors Eugenio Di Sciascio (Economic Development and Employment) and Debora Ciliento (Environment and Climate) will speak. All time 16:45 a visit to the Port of Bari by the participants is scheduled.

Poliba. The scientific sessions to be held at the Polytechnic, in the Council Chamber of the Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building and Chemical Engineering (DICATECh) on the morning of 12 and 13 February, will instead be reserved only for the researchers involved and the representatives of the project partners. These are the topics: technical update on ongoing activities, verification of the milestones achieved and preparation of the final results expected. Treatment, certification and marketing of shell powder. Characterisation, dredging and decontamination of sediments for their reuse. Mix-design engineering of sediments-shell powder-cementitious component. Industrialisation, sustainability and exploitation of the project results. Assessment of environmental and economic sustainability.

The GL4S Italy-Greece partners. Polytechnic University of Bari, Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building and Chemical Engineering (DICATECH), CNR-IRSA of Taranto, CNR-IRET of Pisa, ISPRA offices in Rome and Livorno, Southern Adriatic Sea Port System Authority (AdSPMAM), Eastern Ligurian Sea Port System Authority (AdSPMLOr), Port Authority of Piraeus (PPA), Vitone eco, SIMEM SpA,

Other partners of the extended partnership: Coast Guard with the Maritime Directorate of Bari, Ministry of Environment and Energy Security, Municipality of Bari, Municipality of Taranto, ETH Zurich Polytechnic, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India), Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (Brazil), Polytechnic University of Catalonia (Spain), Université Grenoble Alpes (France), Mapei, Heidelberg, Vibrotek, Prefabbricati Pugliesi, Geosintex, W3dshells, Terre Leggere, Sednet, Remtech expo, fish-farming companies and mussel-farming cooperatives.

Bari, 6 February 2026 – The Italian Thermotechnics Association (ATI), a historic and prestigious technical-scientific association promoting the development of industrial culture and technological innovation in the sectors of energy, environment, energy efficiency, mobility and sustainable construction in implementation of a new modern and sustainable development model, has signed a framework agreement with the Polytechnic University of Bari that will make it possible to develop close cooperation in the scientific field, advanced training, and applied research through technology transfer, the enhancement of research results, and technical updating.

The agreement was signed last 4 January at the Rectorate of the Polytechnic University by the Rector, Umberto Fratino, and by the National President of ATI, Riccardo Amirante, who has led the Association since 1 January and is a Poliba professor.

The ATI, moreover, it is stated in the agreement, will make available its well-regarded monthly journal, “La Termotecnica”, as a privileged channel for the publication of outreach and technical-scientific articles relating to research, projects and results developed by the Polytechnic University of Bari; the enhancement of studies and experiments with high potential for technology transfer; the dissemination of best practices, case studies and industrial applications arising from university research; information on new degree programmes and activities of the Polytechnic University of Bari in line with the ATI’s objectives. Access to “La Termotecnica” will be reserved for all students enrolled in degree programmes at the Polytechnic University of Bari.

These activities, including outreach, may contribute to the enhancement of Poliba research, third mission activities and the quality assessment system implemented by ANVUR (National Agency for the Evaluation of the University and Research System); Evaluation and Accreditation (AVA3), with particular reference to quality indicators for research, technology transfer, public engagement and impact on the socio-economic system.

During the presentation and signing of the memorandum of understanding, they said. Riccardo Amirante: “The ATI, with a century of history behind it, today represents, in the national landscape, an authoritative point of reference for technical-scientific culture. The agreement signed strengthens the ATI’s role as a national bridge between research and the productive system and, at the same time, offers universities a concrete opportunity to enhance scientific results, technology transfer and third-mission activities. The collaboration with the Polytechnic University of Bari, in particular, shows how dialogue between the academic world and the technical-industrial community has now become essential to generate sustainable development”.

Umberto Fratino: “The POLIBA-ATI protocol opens up an interesting scenario for collaboration that brings the university world closer to that of businesses. The initiative may enable advanced professional training for those already working in production and, at the same time, allow companies to make use of existing university technologies. The effects of this collaboration may, not least, also foster new experiential and employment opportunities for our young graduates.

The operational procedures for the shared activities shall be governed by implementing agreements. The framework agreement signed has a three-year term and may be renewed by agreement between the parties.

Bari, 4 February 2026 - Following the previous editions: 2018 (Venice–Padua–Piazzola sul Brenta); 2022 (Rome–Tivoli), the Stati Generali will come to southern Italy in 2026, in Puglia and Basilicata, with the aim of reaffirming the importance and strategic value of Italy’s industrial history. This history cannot be attributed solely to the large manufacturing hubs of the North; rather, it is a complex and widespread process that also developed in the South through specific productive experiences, which have fostered a rich, layered heritage that has long been underestimated.

Over four days, from Bari (Polytechnic University of Bari, 5-7 February) to Matera (University of Basilicata, 6 February) and then to Lecce (Museo Archeo Industriale Di Terra D’Otranto, Maglie), scholars, researchers, professionals, public administrators, cultural operators, associations and local communities will discuss the themes of knowledge, protection, enhancement and regeneration of industrial heritage, both tangible and intangible. Factories, infrastructure, production architecture, archives and memories of work will be at the centre of an interdisciplinary reflection that intertwines scientific research, design, cultural policies and territorial development strategies. Particular attention will be devoted to the processes of redevelopment and reuse of disused or underused areas, public and private, considered as a strategic resource for the economic, social and cultural relaunch of territories, as well as to the definition of governance models capable of combining protection, innovation and community participation. In this framework, industrial heritage is confirmed as one of the privileged areas for experimentation with cultural policies oriented towards sustainability and a long-term vision.

The General States represent an important opportunity to build and strengthen networks among universities, research bodies and institutions, and associations, with the aim of enhancing the role of education and teaching practices as fundamental levers for the dissemination of a culture that is aware of industrial heritage and for the transfer of knowledge to the territories.

The congress is organised into ten thematic areas: 1) Machines, patents and historical production cycles of industrial heritage. 2) Cities and landscapes of industry and labour. 3) Territorial and urban infrastructure. 4) Design and construction for industry. 5) History, culture and memory of industry and labour: research, archives, museums and enhancement practices. 6) Digitalisation and AI of industrial heritage: knowledge, design, management and use. 7) Restoration and conservation of industrial heritage. 8) Reuse and urban and environmental regeneration practices. 9) Industrial tourism, cultural routes, user experiences. 10) Image, cinematography, digital media and communication of industry.

The inauguration of the third edition of the General States of Industrial Heritage will take place in Bari, at the Polytechnic University, tomorrow, Thursday, 5 February, at 9:00 a.m., in the “Attilio Alto” main lecture hall, with the plenary session.

The programme is as follows. Institutional greetings. Introduction by Fabio Fatiguso, Vice-Rector for quality, care and management of heritage, Polytechnic University of Bari; Umberto Fratino, Rector of the Polytechnic University of Bari; Vito Leccese, Mayor of Bari and of the Metropolitan City of Bari; Carlo Contesi, President of the Order of Engineers of the province of Bari; Cosimo Damiano Mastronardi, President of the Order of Architects of the province of Bari; Leonardo Damiani, Director of the Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building and Chemical Engineering (DICATECh). This will be followed by speeches and presentations on the topics.

The third edition of the General States of Industrial Heritage is organised by AIPAI – Italian Association for Industrial Archaeological Heritage, the Polytechnic University of Bari, the University of Basilicata (UNIBAS) and the National Research Council (CNR – Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences), with the patronage of the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, and with the support of public administrations, cultural institutions, foundations and local organisations.