Ecomondo 2026: €555 Billion Recycling Economy Puts Europe’s Green Industrial Transition in Focus

Rimini- Mihamed Hassan

From circular manufacturing and climate resilience to digital product passports and sustainable investment in Africa, Ecomondo 2026 highlights how the green economy is becoming a strategic driver of industrial competitiveness and economic growth.

Ecomondo 2026 is placing the green economy, circular industry, sustainable innovation and climate resilience at the centre of Europe’s economic agenda, bringing together policymakers, business leaders, researchers and environmental organisations to explore the future of sustainable production and investment.

Held in Rimini, Italy, the international exhibition has hosted the 15th edition of the States General of the Green Economy, alongside the third ESG CEO Summit and a series of high-level discussions on the economic value of recycling, the proposed European Circular Economy Act, climate adaptation and digital transformation in the textile industry.

The discussions reflect a growing recognition that environmental sustainability is no longer simply a regulatory obligation but an increasingly important factor in industrial competitiveness, resource security, investment opportunities and long-term economic stability.

Green Economy Becomes a Structural Necessity for Economic Stability

The 15th edition of the States General of the Green Economy was organised by the Foundation for Sustainable Development under the patronage of Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, the European Commission and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.

Opening the event, Edo Ronchi, President of the Foundation for Sustainable Development, highlighted the growing international drivers behind the green economy.

He referred to the 2025 annual report, Partnership for Action on Green Economy, produced through collaboration between five United Nations agencies, which identifies the ecological transition as a structural necessity for the socioeconomic stability of many countries.

According to Ronchi, the green transition can also become a practical driver of social inclusion and economic growth.

However, he noted that Italy’s overall progress towards the transition remains challenging, with only limited positive signs, despite an Ipsos survey indicating growing support for green initiatives among citizens and businesses.

The international session, organised in collaboration with Italy for Climate, examined the global implications of the green transition.

Raimondo Orsini, Director of the Foundation, argued that the green economy offers a practical response to a world affected by wars, social inequalities and geopolitical tensions.

He stressed that the transition can reduce climate-related risks while lowering dependence on imported fossil fuels and raw materials, which are often linked to global economic and geopolitical vulnerabilities.

ESG CEO Summit: Turning Sustainability into Industrial Competitiveness

The third edition of the ESG CEO Summit at Ecomondo 2026 brought together leading business executives to examine how companies can transform sustainability into a source of competitiveness and growth.

Discussions focused on how to balance sustainability and competitiveness, which investments generate the greatest strategic value, where businesses should accelerate action and where procedures need simplification.

Participants also examined what companies should stop doing, continue doing or start doing to strengthen their long-term performance.

The summit addressed several strategic challenges, including corporate sustainability communication, the demographic downturn, human capital development and the importance of business networking.

The discussions were supported by an analysis commissioned by Ecomondo and TEHA Group (The European House-Ambrosetti).

The findings were introduced by Carlo Cici of TEHA Group and Andrea Alemanno of Ipsos, following opening remarks by Corrado Peraboni, CEO of Italian Exhibition Group (IEG).

The roundtable included Gabriele Di Cintio, CEO of Acea Ambiente; Maria Cristina Iacazio of Toyota Material Handling Italia; Andrea Lanuzza of Aquanexa; Patrizia Rutigliano of SUEZ Italia; and Valentino Tonini, Managing Director of the Caviro Group and CEO of Caviro Extra.

The discussions highlighted the growing importance of integrating environmental and social considerations into corporate strategies, investment decisions and industrial development.

Europe’s Recycling Economy: €555 Billion in Economic Value

The economic contribution of the circular economy to European industrial competitiveness was another major focus at Ecomondo 2026.

A conference entitled Circular Economy Act: Challenges, Opportunities and Implications for European Packaging examined the role of recycling and secondary raw materials in strengthening European industry.

The event included the presentation of a study entitled A New European Industrial Policy for the Circular Economy, conducted by CONAI and TEHA Group.

The discussions explored opportunities to develop a European market for secondary raw materials, focusing on balancing supply and demand, improving interoperability between national systems and mobilising the investments required to strengthen industrial competitiveness.

The economic impact associated with European recycling was highlighted at €555 billion, underlining the scale of the opportunities linked to recovering materials and reintegrating waste into industrial value chains.

The conference brought together representatives of European institutions, including Eric Mamer of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Environment and Member of the European Parliament Pierfrancesco Maran.

Other participants included Massimo Milani, Secretary of the Chamber of Deputies’ Environment, Territory and Public Works Committee; Tullio Patassini, Head of the Secretariat to the President of the Productive Activities Committee; and Edo Ronchi, President of the Foundation for Sustainable Development.

Representatives from Verpact and EXPRA also contributed to discussions on packaging waste management and recycling.

The debate continued through a dedicated session entitled Closing the Loop in Waste Management: The New Challenges of the Circular Economy Act, examining future waste management systems within the evolving European legislative framework.

Climate Resilience: Europe Strengthens Coastal and Regional Adaptation

Climate resilience and ecosystem restoration were also prominent themes at Ecomondo 2026.

One year after the launch of the manifesto Strengthening the Climate Resilience of Maritime Regions, a dedicated meeting examined opportunities for the adaptive regeneration of coastal areas and territories under Europe’s emerging climate resilience framework.

The event was organised in collaboration with Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security, ISPRA, the Emilia-Romagna Region, GNRAC and the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions of Europe.

Participants included representatives of the European Commission, European agencies, national institutions, the European Investment Bank, universities and regional and local authorities.

The discussions focused on the importance of multilevel governance and cooperation with local communities in implementing European climate adaptation strategies and restoring ecosystems.

Particular attention was given to the Emilia-Romagna Region’s role in launching the Water Resilience Alliance and developing local initiatives to strengthen resilience against climate-related risks.

The meeting highlighted the need to connect European climate strategies with practical action at the regional and local levels, particularly in vulnerable coastal areas.

Digital Product Passports to Transform the Textile Industry

The textile industry featured prominently in Ecomondo 2026, with discussions focusing on digital technologies, artificial intelligence and new European sustainability requirements.

A conference entitled ESPR and Digital Product Passport in Textiles: Traceability and Transparency Along the Value Chain examined how digital solutions can improve product traceability, textile waste collection and the quality of secondary raw materials.

A central issue was the information that should be included in the Digital Product Passport (DPP), as well as how to ensure its quality, reliability and interoperability throughout the supply chain.

The meeting was opened by AISEC and featured institutional contributions from Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy and EURATEX.

Participants included representatives from research institutions, academia, industry associations and companies such as Bulgari, Calzedonia, Brandart and Saipem.

The programme also included the third edition of the conference Reuse, Repair and Eco-design: The Heroes of the Circular Economy in the Textile Sector.

The discussions examined circular business practices, including reuse, product durability, repairability and eco-design.

Digital product passports could become increasingly important for companies seeking to improve transparency and demonstrate compliance with European sustainability and product traceability requirements.

Africa in Focus: Mattei Plan Drives Sustainable Growth Dialogue

Strengthening cooperation between Europe and Africa was another important component of Ecomondo 2026.

The exhibition’s programme included the sixth edition of the Africa Green Growth Forum, entitled The Mattei Plan: Dialogue Between Institutions and the Private Sector for Africa’s Sustainable Development.

The forum was organised by Ecomondo’s Technical Scientific Committee in collaboration with the Task Force for the Implementation of the Mattei Plan at the Italian Prime Minister’s Office, Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo and RES4Africa.

The event aimed to strengthen dialogue between public institutions and private-sector stakeholders on investment opportunities and sustainable development across Africa.

Discussions covered opportunities associated with green growth, energy, infrastructure and strategic economic partnerships.

The programme also included the Lorenzo Cagnoni Awards for Green Innovation.

Other sessions examined the strategic and operational implications of adopting Industrial Emissions Directive 2.0, including the evolving environmental and health assessment requirements for industrial permitting.

A further session, entitled EU-Africa Strategic Corridors to Mutually Beneficial Cooperation for Critical Raw Materials, was organised by the University of Turin, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, Italy’s Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.

The discussions highlighted the growing importance of Europe-Africa cooperation in securing critical raw materials, developing industrial value chains and expanding sustainable investment.

For African economies, these partnerships could create opportunities to strengthen local manufacturing, attract green investment, improve resource management and participate more effectively in emerging global supply chains.

Ecomondo 2026: Sustainability Moves Beyond Environmental Commitments

The discussions at Ecomondo 2026 demonstrate how the green economy is increasingly connected to industrial policy, international trade, resource security and economic development.

From the €555 billion economic value associated with European recycling to the growing role of digital product passports and climate resilience, the exhibition highlights the expanding economic dimensions of sustainability.

Its focus on the Mattei Plan and the Africa Green Growth Forum also underlines the importance of strengthening partnerships between Europe and Africa.

As governments and businesses face mounting climate, resource and geopolitical pressures, circular production, technological innovation and sustainable investment are becoming increasingly important elements of future economic competitiveness.