Green, circular economy issues a focus of Ecomondo

European strategy for plastics and its developments; circular bioeconomy and Industry 4.0; the protection, recovery and reuse of water resources: These are just a few of the issues at the center of events at the 22^nd edition of Ecomondo, an international trade fair for material and energy organized by Italian Exhibition Group from Nov. 6-9 at Rimini Expo Centre in Rimini, Italy.

They will form the core of the comprehensive program of meetings and conferences organized by the Ecomondo Technical-Scientific Committee chaired by Professor Fabio Fava. Speakers include high-profile experts and representatives from organizations, academical bodies, associations and institutions from Italy and abroad providing in-depth coverage of the hottest topics in various evolving sectors of the green and circular economy.

Nov. 7, the session titled How to Implement the European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy focuses on boosting the European Strategy for Plastics launched by the European Commission in February, the first development of which has been the Brussels directive that bans drinking straws, cotton buds and other plastic products.

Bio-based and biodegradable plastics, as well as traditional plastic, will be addressed. The Ecomondo Technical-Scientific Committee organized the session in partnership with Legambiente, Assobioplastiche, Corepla, Federchimica, PlasticsEurope Italia, Enea and Res Urbis H2020.

While 49 million tons of plastic are disposed of in Europe annually, less than 40 percent is recycled.

At Ecomondo, the eCircular project, promoted by Climate-KIC with the University of Bologna as group leader, show possible actions for drastically reducing plastic’s effect on the environment.

Closely connected with the plastic issue, the problem of marine litter is an important topic for Ecomondo. In partnership with Legambiente and Enea, for the third consecutive year, the conference addresses the prevention and management of marine litter with the sector’s top international experts.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is taking part in Ecomondo with Circular Bioeconomy: National Case Studies of Innovation Ecosystems. The session compares Japan, the USA, France, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Belgium and Italy. The event is chaired by OECD representative James Philip and Philippe Mengal, executive director of the BBI JU, the European Union's public-private joint undertaking dedicated to developing the bio-economy in Europe.

In addition, the Ecomondo Technical-Scientific Committee along with the CNR and the Universities of San Marino and Bologna have organized Industry 4.0 for Greater Efficiency in Waste Management and Use. Robotics and automation are essential for improving the selection of waste after its collection, while the internet of things and data analytics contribute to making logistics “smarter.”

The event also features the 10th edition of the Sustainable Development Award, promoted by the Foundation for Sustainable Development in collaboration with Ecomondo. The award is given to the best enterprises in the sectors water and resources, sustainable construction and energy from renewable sources. The awards ceremony is planned for Nov. 8 at Rimini Expo Centre.