Ecomondo 2026: a 14 per cent increase in international visitors
The circular economy fair in Rimini has come to a close, with a slight increase in domestic visitor numbers: +1 per cent
Ecomondo 2026: the 29th edition closed on 6 November at the Rimini Exhibition Centre, recording an increase in figures: a 1 per cent rise in domestic visitor numbers and a 14 per cent rise in international visitor numbers. The build-up had already signalled a greater commitment to the circular economy fair: 170,000 square metres of gross floor area across a total of 30 halls (compared to 166,000 last year) and 1,800 exhibitors, up from 1,700 in 2025.
With 1,300 buyers and delegations involved, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ICE (the Agency for the promotion abroad and internationalisation of Italian businesses), and 14 international trade missions from Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Germany, Norway, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Spain and Switzerland, Ecomondo 2026 has further strengthened its international profile.
For the first time in its history, the event welcomed a country from abroad: Mexico, one of Latin America’s most promising economies, which is reshaping its development model around the principles of the circular economy. This partnership will continue to strengthen with the next edition of Ecomondo Mexico, scheduled to take place from 20 to 22 April 2027 at Expo Guadalajara.
Once again this year, Africa has taken centre stage in Ecomondo’s internationalisation strategies, with the launch of the Africa Investment Hub to promote business and networking with associations across the continent.
In total, Ecomondo has facilitated networking between companies, institutions, associations, researchers and innovators, as well as the transfer of technology, knowledge and skills, through more than 10,000 business matchmaking sessions.
