Ecomondo 2025: The ecological transition hub is becoming increasingly global

08.01.2026

In an increasingly volatile global context, sustainability is the compass that guides governments, businesses and the scientific community. Ecomondo 2025, Europe and the Mediterranean basin’s leading international event for the green, blue and circular economies, organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG), reaffirmed its status as a global hub for ecological transition. A role reflected in the concrete results of an expanding 28^th edition.

Total attendance grew by +7 %, with +10 % from abroad. Over 1700 exhibiting brands, of which 18 % from abroad, covering 166 000 m² of exhibition space. More than 600 journalists accredited (15 % from abroad), brought Rimini Expo Centre to the attention of the global community.

Underlining Ecomondo's central role on the international scene as a guide along the path towards a sustainable future that, starting in Italy, Europe is continuing to pursue with determination, was the Minister for the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, who toured the exhibition halls on Thursday 6th November. “We can count ourselves among the leading countries in the world in terms of recycling capacity,” the minister explained. “There is a lot of talk about rare earths and critical raw materials, but the largest deposit we have is our waste... And the ability to recycle is fully demonstrated at this show, a symbol of innovation and sustainability.”

Ecomondo 2025, the most international edition ever

Ecomondo 2025 confirmed its status as a privileged venue for exchange between companies, researchers and professionals from around the world, also thanks to its collaboration with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). A global crossroads with over 800 hosted buyers and international delegations from 65 countries. The most represented markets included Spain, Turkey, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. To complete the picture, around 90 international associations were also involved. During the event, this network generated 3800 business matches, promoting cooperation and the dissemination of best ecological transition practices.

Green transition, a transversal overview of the global context

Over 200 events took place over the four days, around 70 of which organized by Ecomondo's Technical and Scientific Committee, chaired by Professor Fabio Fava, in a programme packed with initiatives, offering an up-to-date interpretation of the green transition across a range of sectors. Key topics included: WEEE and critical raw materials, the circular textile industry, sustainable finance in support of the ecological transition, water management and the blue economy, bioenergy, the circular economy, AI applied to resource enhancement and data monitoring, Earth observation and the role of communication in overcoming false ecological transition dilemmas.

Considerable attention was paid to international cooperation and the green transition in the Mediterranean, as well as initiatives for accessing clean and sustainable energy in Africa, as part of the Mattei Plan and the “Mission 300” programme, with the fifth edition of the Africa Green Growth Forum.

The 14th edition of the States General of the Green Economy once again opened Ecomondo with a presentation of the Report on the State of the Green Economy 2025, placing the state and prospects of the European ecological transition in the new global context at the centre of the debate. The plenary session on the second day, held entirely in English for the first time, further broadened the international scope of the event.

The return of Sal.Ve, the biennial Exhibition of Ecological Vehicles, in partnership with ANFIA, showcased the entire product range of equipment for industrial and special vehicles for collecting solid and liquid waste, street sweeping and sewage disposal.

The innovation laboratory

At Ecomondo 2025, innovation bridged the gap between science and market: the Innovation District provided space and visibility to 40 Italian and international high-tech start-ups, including 20 from Morocco and Tunisia selected as part of the “Luca Attanasio” Lab Innovates for Africa project, promoted by the Italian Trade Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. To accompany the exhibition, Ecomondo presented the “Lorenzo Cagnoni” Award for Green Innovation to seven exhibiting companies, one from each of the event’s sectors, for the most advanced and promising technologies.

Ecomondo will be back at Italian Exhibition Group’s Rimini Expo Centre from 3^rd to 6^th November 2026