The 28th edition of Ecomondo, positioned as a leading international platform in Europe and the Mediterranean basin for the green, blue and circular economies, opened at the Rimini Expo Centre and runs until 7 November, organised by Italian Exhibition Group. This year the show extends its international reach with more than 1,700 exhibiting brands, 18 percent of them from abroad, 380 hosted buyers from 66 countries, over 30 official delegations and about 90 international industry associations, in synergy with the Italian Trade Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Ecomondo 2025 occupies the entire venue, totalling 166,000 square metres across 30 halls, and offers a comprehensive view of the ecological transition and circular economy, supported by a conference programme of more than 200 sessions, over 70 curated by the Technical Scientific Committee. The opening ceremony featured institutional representatives and sector experts and was followed by the launch of the 14th States General of the Green Economy.
Opening remarks and institutional participation
The inauguration featured Maurizio Renzo Ermeti, president of Italian Exhibition Group, Michele de Pascale, president of the Emilia-Romagna Region, Jamil Sadegholvaad, mayor of Rimini, Fabio Fava, coordinator of Ecomondo’s Technical Scientific Committee, and Jacopo Morrone, president of the Bicameral Ecomafia Commission. Also in attendance were Corrado Peraboni, CEO of IEG, Alessandra Astolfi, global exhibition director of IEG's Green & Technology Division, and Mauro Delle Fratte, Ecomondo exhibition manager.
Maurizio Renzo Ermeti said: "Ecomondo has become the event of reference for those who want to compete in global green economy markets: a moment of pride, sharing and cultural growth in terms of sustainability, an international reference point for businesses, institutions and the world of research. In over twenty years, we have seen the birth and consolidation of a supply chain that is represented here today by 1,700 brands and a foreign presence from Africa to the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and Latin America. A result made possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Italian Trade Agency, the tireless work of our Technical Scientific Committee and the many organisations that share our commitment."
Jamil Sadegholvaad said: "The relevance of an event such as Ecomondo not only lies in its success and growing international reputation, but above all in the educational and cultural objectives that an event like this naturally pursues. While the subject matter is the object, and often victim, of ideologies and fanaticism, Ecomondo is able to present the technological, industrial and creative possibilities that can improve the relationship between humans and nature, and therefore between humanity and its future."
Fabio Fava explained: "Once again, Ecomondo's conference programme is provides the enabling ingredients for a more effective and knowledgeable implementation of the circular economy and ecological transition in Europe and the Mediterranean: an international reference point with an increasingly global outlook on new challenges. This year, the spotlight is on the industrial supply chains with the greatest impact on the environment, but at the same time, there is a continued focus on monitoring and restoring terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems already compromised by pollution and climate change, and on the sustainable enhancement of their biological resources. Of the more than 200 events scheduled, 70 are organised by the Technical Scientific Committee: a pool of more than 80 Italian and international experts that guarantees scientific and technological rigour and the quality of the content."
Jacopo Morrone continued: "Ecomondo creates a real dialogue between different skills and profiles, pragmatically addressing the environmental challenges we are facing. Our Constitution requires us to protect the environment and ecosystems. With future generations in mind, it is essential to balance economic growth with the protection of nature. That is why the Commission is exploring new topics, such as the management of emerging waste, from photovoltaic panels to batteries and end-of-life wind turbines. The aim is to strengthen regulatory and control policies in order to leave our children and grandchildren a better environment."
Michele de Pascale concluded: "I greet the opening of the 28th edition of Ecomondo with enormous pleasure. It is an international event that turns Rimini and the Emilia-Romagna region into a crossroads of ideas, solutions and innovations for the ecological transition. Ecomondo is not just a trade show; it is a laboratory for the future, a place where sustainability translates into business, work and knowledge, enabling us to tackle the great challenges of our time together: from climate change to the circular economy, from resource conservation to clean energy. To visitors and operators from all over the world, a warm welcome to our region."
States General of the Green Economy and upcoming sessions
The opening ceremony was followed by the 14th States General of the Green Economy, organised by the Sustainable Development Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and promoted by the National Council for the Green Economy. This edition opened with the Report on the State of the Green Economy 2025 and focuses on the state and prospects of the European ecological transition in the current global context. For the first time, the second plenary session, scheduled for Wednesday 5 November, will be held entirely in English.
Events scheduled for tomorrow include:
- "Urban textile waste. The EPR is coming: who are the producers’ Consortiums and what is their vision for the development of the system", organised by Ecomondo’s Technical Scientific Committee and UNIRAU.
- "Waste Shipment Regulation and its impact on the global market for post-consumer textiles" organised by Ecomondo and UNIRAU.
- "Made in Italy Textile Industry challenges and opportunities in a Circular Economy perspective: what’s next?" organised by Ecomondo’s Technical Scientific Committee and AISEC.
- "Forum of Responsible Communication – Sustainable or competitive? How communication resolves a false dilemma" organised by Ecomondo and Ferpi.
- "Earth Observation for Security and Sustainability: Dual-Use Innovations and AI at the Service of the Planet" organised by Ecomondo and Kelvin273.
- "From sky to ground: Earth observation for sustainable critical raw materials management" organised by Ecomondo’s Technical Scientific Committee and Turin Polytechnic, CINECA.
- "Accelerating circularity in the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Sector" organised by the Emilia-Romagna Region and ART-ER.
- "The Sustainable Development Award", set up by the Sustainable Development Foundation and Ecomondo-Italian Exhibition Group, now at its 15th edition, and aimed at companies, start-ups and local administrations.
The full programme of Ecomondo 2025 is available at www.ecomondo.com/en/events/conferences/program.
