Ecomondo kicks off its 29th edition with 1,800 exhibitors across 30 halls

Rimini, Italy, is currently hosting the 29th edition of Ecomondo, an Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) event that serves as an international platform for the green, blue, and circular economies.

Opening plenary session focused on work being done to preserve the circular economy 

The opening plenary session featured the presentation of the 2026 Report on the State of the Green Economy. Later in the conference, an international plenary session entitled "Green economy perspectives in an unpredictable global scenario," in collaboration with Italy for Climate and with a real-time analysis of the key dynamics of the ecological transition at a global level.

Growth across the event 

The 29th Edition of Economdo is experiencing considerable growth; the show spans 30 halls and 170,000 square metres of exhibition space. The event features over 1,800 exhibiting brands (with a 19 percent increase in those from abroad) and, through collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Trade Agency for the promotion and internationalisation of Italian companies abroad (ICE), more than 1,000 buyers hosted from Europe, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, China, South-East Asia, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, North America, and Latin America.

Over 60 representatives from international associations and numerous associate members will also be in attendance from various countries around the world, including Egypt, Morocco, Greece, Serbia, Hungary, Spain, and South Africa. Added to these are 14 international trade delegations from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Germany, Norway, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain, and Switzerland, representing over 100 companies; Mexico, as Ecomondo's first-ever guest country; and a new area specifically for business and networking with African associations.

Events scheduled for Ecomondo day 2: 

• Forum on Responsible Communication (5th edition): Communication on a razor's edge – The sustainable transition between environmental urgency and social cohesion, organized by Ecomondo's Technical Scientific Committee and Ferpi, with the participation of the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security and the Emilia-Romagna Order of Journalists.
• Finance: "Climate transition plans for ESG risk management: What role for companies and investors?" – Organized by Ecomondo's TSC with the Sustainable Investment Forum.
• Paper District GDO & Grocery Summit – Organized by Ecomondo's TSC, Largo Consumo and the Paper and Graphics Federation.
• "Circular Economy and Defence: Italian and European industry between needs and opportunities" – Organized by Ecomondo's TSC and Cisambiente Confindustria.
• Healthy and circular cities: "Scaling the circular economy in the built environment: Urban mining" – Organised by Ecomondo's TSC with the Green Building Council Italy and the Polytechnic University of the Marche, and "Smart Circular Cities" with Bologna University.
• Regulatory landscape: "Closing the loop in waste management: the new challenges of the Circular Economy Act" – Organized by Ecomondo's TSC with UTILITALIA.

Ecomondo 2026 opening remarks 

Ecomondo 2026 was inaugurated by Hon. Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, and with a video message from Adolfo Urso, the Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy.

The ceremony was opened by the President of IEG, Maurizio Ermeti, who said: "The green economy is becoming increasingly strategic for the growth and competitiveness of the national industrial system, and Ecomondo is at the forefront of this transformation. One of our great success stories, it has established a leading role at the European level and is now becoming increasingly important for international markets. From Rimini to the world, it is the industrial platform of reference for businesses, institutions, research organizations, policy-makers, and every key player in the circular and regenerative economy. We will continue to invest in this direction with vision, determination, and confidence in the future."

"Ecomondo is a top-level, European and global showcase for innovative technologies and solutions that combine environmental sustainability, industrial development, and competitiveness. Sustainability is not just about protecting the environment; it is also about innovation and growth opportunities for our production and manufacturing sectors. The transition should not be seen as a set of constraints, but as developing and directing production and consumption models towards greater efficiency, such as making better use of resources, reducing waste, and creating value with a lower impact on ecosystems. Ecomondo is the place where this vision takes shape through the exchange of ideas and the promotion of best practices," said Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister for the Environment and Energy Security. 

"Sustainability is no longer merely an environmental issue; it also concerns industry and geopolitics. In the global competition for raw materials, energy and technologies, the ability to make the most of resources is a decisive factor for competitiveness. Italy can count on solid leadership in the circular economy, but the challenge of reducing dependence on foreign sources for the supply of materials is still central. This is why we have made circularity an industrial policy, also in regard to critical raw materials. Ecomondo is the place where innovation and the environment come together to find solutions for transforming this leadership into a competitive advantage, strengthening Italian industrial sovereignty and European strategic autonomy," said Adolfo Urso, Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy, speaking via video message.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Jamil Sadegholvaad, Mayor of Rimini; Fabrizio Lobasso, Deputy Director-General for Growth and Export Promotion - Central Director for the ‘Sistema Italia' and Investments at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Maurizio Forte, Central Director for Export Sectors at the Italian Trade Agency (ICE); and Michele de Pascale, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region.

The ceremony was followed by the opening of the 15th edition of the States General of the Green Economy, organized by the Foundation for Sustainable Development in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and under the patronage of the European Commission and the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy.