A high-profile scientific and institutional conference programme awaits companies, associations, institutions, researchers and the strategic players in the circular and regenerative economy at Ecomondo 2026, the international event organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), which reaches its 29th edition this year, from 3 to 6 November at Rimini Expo Centre.
Over 1,800 exhibiting brands are expected – with a 10% increase in foreign ones compared to 2025 – across approximately 169,000 sqm gross of exhibition space distributed over 30 halls, as well as over 1,000 hosted buyers from around the world, involved with the support of MAECI – Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ICE – Italian Trade Agency.
There will be over 70 events on the calendar, defined by the event’s international Technical Scientific Committee chaired by Professor Fabio Fava, with the involvement of public and private institutional partners at European and international level, alongside further events organised by partners and exhibitors.
Great attention will be devoted to European policies, research and innovation and to international cooperation in the Mediterranean basin and Africa.
According to the organisers, the key events include the Forum della Buona Comunicazione – 5th edition: “Communication on a razor’s edge. Sustainable transition between environmental urgency and social resilience” and ESG CEO Summit – 3rd edition: “Sustainable future between compliance and competitiveness: from reporting to industrial transformation”.
As usual, the programme will open with the Stati Generali della Green Economy, on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 November, organised by the Fondazione per lo Sviluppo Sostenibile in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security and promoted by the National Council for the Green Economy.
Among the major themes of Ecomondo 2026 (n. b. – details of the events in the attached press release), with regard to the Circular Economy Act, the Technical Scientific Committee will propose opportunities for discussion on challenges, opportunities and implications for European packaging (in collaboration with CONAI) and on what will concretely change for those managing waste (in collaboration with UTILITALIA).
Ecomondo’s programme will also focus on the central role of textiles in the European circular economy. A specific programme will be dedicated to the sector, defined by Ecomondo’s Textile Working Group.
There will then be discussion of healthy and circular cities, paper, with Comieco, in collaboration with Nomisma, presenting a final assessment of the environmental and economic benefits of the projects co-financed by the PNRR concerning the paper recycling supply chain.
And then, again, soil restoration, regenerative bioeconomy and bioenergy, the water cycle and Blue Economy, international cooperation and collaboration with Africa and the countries bordering the Mediterranean. In this regard, the Africa Green Growth Forum – 6th edition, organised in collaboration with the Mission Structure for the implementation of the Mattei Plan of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo and RES4Africa, should be noted.
Another theme is finance. The programme will offer in-depth discussions focusing on ESG and risk management, bankability and new investment models for innovation, explored from a sector-specific perspective.
“Policies and Regulatory Frameworks and a Call for Papers on research and innovation complete the programme,” the statement said.
GIK/APA