Ecomondo 2024: the greatest edition ever

Ecomondo 2024, the international event dedicated to the green and circular economy organised by the Italian Exhibition Group and which closed on 8 November at the Fiera di Rimini Exhibition Centre, was the largest edition ever: +5% in total attendance compared to the previous edition (and +4% from abroad), 1,620 exhibitor brands that occupied 166,000 square metres in the exhibition centre, which was enlarged with two new pavilions to meet the growing demand for attendance from companies (+10% of exhibitors compared to 2023). A meeting place for the technological innovation of companies, the world of research, industry professionals and international delegations who attended the more than 200 conferences and workshops scheduled, also accessible online thanks to the GreentechInsights b2b platform.

ECOMONDO, INTERNATIONAL HUB OF SUSTAINABILITY

The figures confirm Ecomondo’s role as a major international hub for the green and circular economy, thanks to the synergy with the ICE Agency and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), in collaboration with IEG’s global network of regional advisors and also the Emilia-Romagna Region. The number of foreign operators continues to grow, mainly from the Euro-Mediterranean area and in particular from Germany Spain, Romania, France, Croatia, Greece, Serbia, Egypt Turkey and Tunisia. International operators from 121 countries, 72 sector associations and institutions at global level, 650 buyers from 65 countries, in particular North Africa, Europe, North America, Latin America, with a significant increase in buyers from Asia. A system of relations and encounters that led to 3,500 business matching sessions during the four days of the fair. The results collected at the end of the event confirm the value of the network of relations that Ecomondo has been nurturing for years, acting as a true ‘community catalyst’ for the green economy at an international level.

Innovation was the fil rouge that strongly characterised Ecomondo 2024, declined in the phenomenon of start-ups, but also of exhibiting brands, as well as with the Lorenzo Cagnoni Prize for Green Innovation, awarded to start-ups that presented cutting-edge solutions and products. Eco-innovation by companies and public administrations was also rewarded with the Sustainable Development Award, promoted by the Foundation for Sustainable Development and Ecomondo.

THE STATE OF THE INTERNATIONAL GREEN TRANSITION

More than 200 appointments spread over the four days of the exhibition offered a complete overview of the latest trends and challenges in the field of sustainability on an international level: from the Circular Economy to the Bio-Economy, from the Water & Blue Economy to climate change monitoring and sustainable finance. A rich programme of events coordinated by Ecomondo’s Technical-Scientific Committee, chaired by Prof. Fabio Fava of the University of Bologna.

The States General of the Green Economy, whose 13th edition also opened this year’s Ecomondo, framed these topics within a framework of national scenario data: reduction of CO₂ emissions by over 6%, Italy a leading country in the circular economy (3.6 euros of GDP for every kg of resource consumed), over 44% of electricity production from renewable sources on total generation, growing national organic production, but also open challenges, such as the progressive increase in land consumption and the objective of sustainable mobility.

The next appointment with Ecomondo is from 4 to 7 November 2025, again at the Rimini Trade Fair.