Ecomondo 2026 Opens in Italy with More Than 1,800 Exhibiting Brands

Rimini, Italy: Mohamed Hassan

The 29th edition of Ecomondo 2026 officially opened on Tuesday in Rimini, Italy, bringing together more than 1,800 exhibiting brands and over 1,000 international buyers to advance the green, blue and circular economies.

Organised by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), the international event will run until Friday at the Rimini Expo Centre, reaffirming its position as a major platform for businesses, institutions, research organisations and policymakers working in sustainability and the circular economy.

The opening ceremony was attended by Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, Italy’s Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, and featured a video message from Adolfo Urso, Minister for Enterprise and Made in Italy.

Pichetto Fratin said Ecomondo provides a leading European and global showcase for innovative technologies and solutions that combine environmental sustainability, industrial development and competitiveness.

He stressed that sustainability is not limited to environmental protection, but also represents an opportunity for innovation and growth across manufacturing and production sectors.

The minister added that the green transition should not be regarded as a set of constraints, but as an opportunity to improve production and consumption models through more efficient resource use, waste reduction and value creation with lower impacts on ecosystems.

In a video message, Urso highlighted the growing connection between sustainability, industrial policy and geopolitics, noting that competition over raw materials, energy and technologies has made resource efficiency a decisive factor in industrial competitiveness.

He said Italy has established a strong position in the circular economy, while reducing dependence on foreign sources for material supplies remains a central challenge.

Urso added that Italy has incorporated circularity into its industrial policy, including in relation to critical raw materials. He described Ecomondo as a platform where environmental solutions and innovation can help turn Italy’s position in the circular economy into a competitive advantage, while strengthening Italian industrial sovereignty and European strategic autonomy.

Maurizio Ermeti, President of Italian Exhibition Group, said the green economy is becoming increasingly strategic for the growth and competitiveness of the national industrial system.

He noted that Ecomondo has established a leading role at European level and is gaining importance in international markets, serving as a reference platform for companies, institutions, research organisations and policymakers involved in the circular and regenerative economy.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Jamil Sadegholvaad, Mayor of Rimini; Fabrizio Lobasso, Deputy Director-General for Growth and Export Promotion and Central Director for the Sistema Italia and Investments at Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Maurizio Forte, Central Director for Export Sectors at the Italian Trade Agency; and Michele de Pascale, President of the Emilia-Romagna Region.

Green Economy Forum Opens Alongside Ecomondo

Following the opening ceremony, the 15th edition of the States General of the Green Economy began, organised by the Foundation for Sustainable Development in cooperation with the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security, under the patronage of the European Commission and the Ministry for Enterprise and Made in Italy.

The opening plenary session featured the presentation of the 2026 Report on the State of the Green Economy.

On Wednesday, the international plenary session, titled “Green Economy Perspectives in an Unpredictable Global Scenario”, will take place in cooperation with Italy for Climate. The session will examine key global developments shaping the ecological transition.

International Participation Expands

The 2026 edition reflects the event’s continued growth, covering 170,000 square metres of exhibition space across 30 halls.

More than 1,800 exhibiting brands are taking part, representing a 19% increase in international exhibitors.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Italian Trade Agency, the event is also hosting more than 1,000 buyers from Europe, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, China, Southeast Asia, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, North America and Latin America.

More than 60 representatives of international associations and associate members are also expected to attend, including participants from Egypt, Morocco, Greece, Serbia, Hungary, Spain and South Africa.

The programme further includes 14 international trade delegations from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Germany, Norway, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland, representing more than 100 companies.

Mexico is participating as Ecomondo’s first-ever guest country. A new dedicated area has also been introduced to promote business opportunities and networking with African associations.

Key Events Scheduled for Wednesday

Wednesday’s programme includes the fifth edition of the Responsible Communication Forum, titled “Communication on a Razor’s Edge: The Sustainable Transition Between Environmental Urgency and Social Cohesion”.

The event is organised by Ecomondo’s Technical Scientific Committee and Ferpi, with the participation of the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security and the Emilia-Romagna Order of Journalists.

The programme will also feature a finance session on climate transition plans and ESG risk management, examining the role of companies and investors.

Other scheduled events include the Paper District GDO and Grocery Summit, as well as a session on “Circular Economy and Defence: Italian and European Industry Between Needs and Opportunities”.

Discussions on healthy and circular cities will explore how to scale the circular economy in the built environment through urban mining, alongside a session on smart circular cities organised with the University of Bologna.

The programme will also address regulatory developments in waste management, particularly the new challenges associated with the Circular Economy Act.

Through its exhibition, international business meetings and specialised discussions, Ecomondo 2026 aims to strengthen cooperation and promote practical solutions for resource efficiency, industrial innovation and the global transition towards more sustainable economic models.