Ecomondo 2026, the international event by Italian Exhibition Group dedicated to the green, blue and circular economy, will take place on 3–6 November at Rimini Expo Centre. It will be the 29th edition of the trade fair, which according to the organiser is set to further strengthen its role as a platform for cooperation among industry, institutions, the research community and policymakers involved in industrial and environmental transformations. The focus remains on issues related to the ecological transition, the development of circular models and the implementation of solutions supporting low-emission production systems. The event is intended to serve as a venue for dialogue, partnership building and the development of business contacts. The organiser also highlights the importance of Ecomondo for start-ups, scale-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises operating in the circular economy, pointing to the fair’s function as a tool supporting growth and accelerating innovation. The 2026 edition is also expected to further expand its international reach, both in terms of visitors and the content programme and institutional cooperation.
For the 2026 edition, Ecomondo is set to further strengthen its international profile in order to attract a larger number of buyers, delegations and industry associations from all continents. These activities are being carried out in cooperation with MAECI, the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and ICE, the Italian Trade Agency. One element of this strategy is a roadshow covering Spain, Morocco, Germany, Hungary and Canada. The aim of this initiative is to strengthen institutional and commercial relations and to expand the event’s international network. This network already includes Ecomondo Mexico, positioned as a platform for the Latin American market and a venue for presenting Italian environmental technologies, as well as Ecomondo China, which this year has adopted the format of a forum organised in Shanghai on 11–12 June. This event map also includes Green Med Expo & Symposium, scheduled in Naples on 27–29 May.
Conference programme and regulatory priorities
The Ecomondo 2026 conference programme is to be expanded through the involvement of new European and international institutional partners, including the European Commission, as well as leading continental agencies and stakeholders such as the OECD and FAO. The programme is prepared by the international Technical and Scientific Committee. The organiser announces additional summits, conferences and conventions held in English. Particular attention is to be given to key European regulatory files. These include the Circular Economy Act, Bioeconomy Strategy, Biotech Act II, Pact for the Mediterranean, the RESourceEU action plan, the Critical Raw Materials Act and new provisions concerning extended producer responsibility, EPR.
Other main topics of the event are to include healthy and circular cities, artificial intelligence and new digital technologies supporting the ecological transition, as well as the bioeconomy and bioenergy. The organiser identifies the latter two areas as one of the pillars of the transition to low-emission and highly circular production systems. The emphasis on international cooperation and strengthening partnerships with the Mediterranean region and Africa is also to be maintained.
During the first two days of the fair, the States General of the Green Economy will be held again. This event is organised by the Foundation for Sustainable Development in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, MASE, and promoted by the National Green Economy Council. The second plenary session is to be conducted entirely in English. According to the organiser, the growing presence of specialised industry communities, united by the shared objective of accelerating the ecological transition, confirms Ecomondo’s role as an increasingly cross-sectoral global platform.
New exhibition layout
One of the main new features of the 29th edition is to be a dedicated exhibition sector focused on textiles, which will occupy an entire hall. This area is intended to serve as an international hub for the entire supply chain at a time when new European sustainability regulations are being implemented in the sector. The organiser also announces the expansion of the Waste as a Resource exhibition area.
The changes will also cover the Water Cycle & Blue Economy sector, which will be reorganised into the Blue Economy and Trenchless Districts. In this part of the exhibition, the focus is to be placed on wastewater recovery and reuse, trenchless No-Dig technologies, and advanced solutions for pumps, valves and control systems supporting smart network monitoring and sustainable water resource management.
The presence of the Sites & Soil Restoration, Earth Observation and Environmental Monitoring, Bio-energy & Agriculture and Circular & Regenerative Bio-Economy sectors has also been confirmed. The Circular & Healthy City, Paper District and Innovation District zones will also be maintained, the latter dedicated to start-ups, innovation and expertise in sustainability.
Institutional partners
Ecomondo 2026 is being prepared by Italian Exhibition Group in cooperation with a broad group of institutional partners. These include the European Commission, UNIDO ITPO, the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, MAECI, the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, ICE, the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Municipality of Rimini, ANFIA, ART-ER, Assoambiente, CBE JU, CIB, CIC, CIHEAM, CONAI, EBA, ENEA, ESWET, the European Environment Agency, FAO, FEAD, the Foundation for Sustainable Development, ISPRA, ISWA, Legambiente, OECD, Recycling Europe, UNACEA, Unicircular, Utilitalia and Water Europe.
