Ecomondo 2026 opens in Rimini with focus on circular economy

Rimini is hosting the 29th edition of Ecomondo, an Italian Exhibition Group (IEG) event, which runs until Friday at the Expo Centre. The exhibition presents itself as the leading international platform for the green, blue and circular economies. Ecomondo 2026 was inaugurated in the presence of Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, and with a video message from Adolfo Urso, 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 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 organisations, 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.

States General of the Green Economy

The ceremony was followed by the opening of the 15th edition of the States General of the Green Economy, organised 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. The first plenary session featured the presentation of the 2026 Report on the State of the Green Economy. The following day's programme includes the international plenary session entitled "Green economy perspectives in an unpredictable global scenario", held in collaboration with Italy for Climate, with a real-time analysis of the key dynamics of the ecological transition at a global level.

Exhibitors, buyers and delegations

The 29th edition of Ecomondo continues the event's steady growth. Spread across 30 halls and 170,000 m² of exhibition area, the event features over 1,800 exhibiting brands, with a 19% increase in those from abroad. Through collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), more than 1,000 buyers are 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 are also attending from countries including Egypt, Morocco, Greece, Serbia, Hungary, Spain and South Africa. In addition, there 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 is Ecomondo's first ever guest country, and a new area has been dedicated to business and networking with African associations.

Conference programme

Events scheduled for the second day include:

• Forum on Responsible Communication (5th edition): communication on a razor's edge – the sustainable transition between environmental urgency and social cohesion, organised by Ecomondo's Technical Scientific Committee (TSC) 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?", organised by Ecomondo's TSC with the Sustainable Investment Forum.
• Paper District GDO & Grocery Summit, organised by Ecomondo's TSC, Largo Consumo and the Paper and Graphics Federation.
• "Circular Economy and Defence: Italian and European industry between needs and opportunities", organised 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", organised by Ecomondo's TSC with Utilitalia.