Last week, from 8 -11 November, Rimini was host to the 25th edition of Ecomondo in Italy. Ecomondo brings together all sectors of the circular economy on a single platform. With +41% in total attendance compared to 2021, and also recording a double foreign attendance (from 90 countries) the slogan: leading the ecological transition was certainly well deserved. Many start-ups and exhibiting companies brought hundreds of stories of innovation to the Rimini Expo Centre. Among them the Dutch took a prominent position, as Water Alliance hosted the Netherlands Lounge at this exhibition. Discover all that happened at this leading green exhibition below.
The Netherlands might be small in size, but certainly big in ambitions as showcased by the eight Dutch companies presenting their unique solutions at the Lounge. As climate change puts enormous pressure on resources, this requires long-term solutions for a sustainable world, to ensure that humanity, the earth and its life-supporting systems can exist in harmony. In short a world where everyone prospers. The scope of this challenge is wide and varied and so are the solutions. The Dutch delegation to Ecomondo reflected this diversity.
Dutch Delegation:
CirTec B.V. Coos Wessels
Cyclomedia Filippo Troiani
Drycake Marc Vanderbeken
Fugro Giancarlo Cristofalo
Join the Pipe Foundation Anton Wijs
Oxycom – Cleverclima srl Francesco Di Paola
Pure Water Group Ruud de Vetter
TEMA Process Fluid Bed Dryers Mark Kragting
The Netherlands Lounge with its striking orange features was also easy to spot in Dutch kings orange. A lot of visitors came by for a royal treatment, a chat or a Dutch delight like a ‘stroopwafel’.
On Monday the 8th of November the circularity of water symposium: ‘challenges, solutions and technologies for a new international geography’ was held. The limelight was on partnerships between Italy and the Netherlands. Opening statements by Agnes Agterberg, Head of the Economic Department, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy and Raimondo Orsini set the tone for an optimistic afternoon. Building on this Dennis van Peppen, Lead Water Programmes at Netherlands Enterprise and Development, gave an interesting keynote on water security.
Several Water Alliance members also took centre stage and told their unique story. Also Water Alliance MD Hein Molenkamp spoke about and how water technology is enabling for many sectors and plays a key role: ‘Water is at the centre of all SDGS, it is not only about SDG number 6. It is all connected’.
Coos Wessels of CirTec talked about water scarcity, climate change and the need to recover resources from sewage. He also spoke about cellulose recovery and the barriers for implementation of new and innovative technology. Currently less than 1% of the resources is recovered from sewage.
Ruud de Vetter of Pure Water Group explained how they are one of the leading manufacturers of innovative and sustainable water technology solutions, with specialization in Electro Deionization (#EDI) and Electro Dialysis Reversal (#EDR).
On the same day Hein Molenkamp spoke at the International networking event for Clusters and SMEs about the WaterCampus ecosystem, the role of clusters, collaboration + opportunities. This event was organized by Club ADEME International, Cluster AXELERA and Cluster Éa éco-entreprises with the European project CLOTH.
The second day of Ecomondo started different than imagined by most. On the morning of the 9th a strong earthquake of a magnitude of 5.7 struck Italy’s Adriatic coast, luckily no injuries or damage was reported. After this unexpected start of the day the Netherlands Lounge was still buzzing with activities. As there was a great opportunity to meet up or (re)connect with fellow professionals during the network event at the Netherlands Lounge.
All the whilst opening the buffet Agnes Agterberg, Head of the Economic Department, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy and Hein Molenkamp spoke about collaboration between the Netherlands and Italy.
Agnes Agterberg:
‘The Netherlands Embassy in #Rome and the Netherlands Consulate General in Milan are very active in promoting and strengthening collaborations and partnerships between Dutch and Italian parties. We hope to meet many Italian partners at Ecomondo willing to encourage circularity together.’
#NlinItaly Let’s make the circular shift together!
Hein Molenkamp:
‘In the Netherlands and specifically at this NL lounge we are happy to get in touch with Italy, in particular the visitors of Ecomondo. At our lounge we have a diverse group of companies from solid separation, circular technologies, water tech, biogas till waste management technologies. Just like in the Netherlands in Italy there is also a a sense of urgency to switch to circular solutions.’
Also the director of CINEA – European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, Dirk Beckers, an important agency of the European Commission, was visiting Ecomondo for the first time and shortlisted 5 exhibitors amongst them the Netherlands Lounge, to pay a visit to. Hein Molenkamp introduced him to the Dutch companies at the pavilion and explained the WaterCampus innovation ecosystem.
The Dutch – Italian connection is strong as ever
During the same timeframe, in the Dutch city the Hague the state visit of the President of Italy took place. The President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, paid a state visit to the Netherlands. The Italian president’s visit to the Netherlands reaffirmed the excellent relations between Italy and the Netherlands. The closeness is great. As NATO allies and founding fathers of the European Union, Italy and the Netherlands share the same values and stand side by side to face the great challenges of our time. The state visit helps deepen cooperation, with Italy and the Netherlands working towards a stronger, greener, and more secure Europe.
Coos Wessels of CirTec was at Ecomondo and just few hours later back in Netherlands. As he was invited to the government lunch that was part of the state visit to the Netherlands. In the presence of President Sergio Mattarella and Mrs. Laura Mattarella, the Royal Couple, Prime Minister Rutte and other ministers, Coos Wessels of CirTec had the opportunity to talk about the recovery of cellulose from sewage and their partnership in Italy. Also CEO Mark Heine of Fugro spoke at this very lunch. The event’s themes of sustainability and climate are echoed Fugro’s global purpose and the driving force for their work in Italy, where they are delivering seabed and coastline mapping and working with many of Italy’s renewable energy companies.
Making the connection @ Ecomondo
Making connections is what it is all about. Not only doing business but also working together. With four productive days at the Netherlands Lounge, the participating companies shared the same ‘office’ helping each other out goes quite naturally. A big advantage of joining forces, is to help out and get a helping hand if needed.
To global challenges the power of (international) collaboration is immense, as Italy and the Netherlands both work together on a sustainable future. Innovation is the backbone to this circular transition. With all sectors of the the circular economy gathered at Ecomondo, this is was a unique opportunity to discover inventive tech and explore possible alliances, especially at the Netherlands Lounge.
Filippo Troiani of Cyclomedia:
Collaborating with Water Alliance has been a pleasure throughout the whole event: their mission is very clear and that helps a lot to well position their associates. Nonetheless, it’s thrilling to see how integrated their organization is with the Dutch Embassy in Italy, that was present at the NL Lounge booth for a substantial part of Ecomondo.
Ruud de Vetter of Pure Water Group:
Today last day of four great and exciting days at Ecomondo 2022 in Rimini. Traditionally last day is calm and less busy which gives the opportunity to evaluate our presence at the NL Lounge. Which was even above expectations with lots of overwhelming, interesting and promising discussions with all kind of potential partners and different stakeholders. We truly appreciated our participation and looking forward to next year’s edition.
Rimini not only delivered as a beautiful and hospitable backdrop, it also shone in connecting people, discussing current topics in both Italy and the Netherlands. Ecomondo will be back in Rimini from 7th to 10th November 2023.
About the Neherlands Lounge
The Netherlands Lounge at Ecomondo was hosted by Water Alliance. Water Alliance realizes the NL Lounge in cooperation with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and thanks to the synergy with the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy.
The Circularity of water symposium was hosted in collaboration with the Embassy and Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Italy and Materia Rinnovabile – Renewable Matter.
About Ecomondo
The benchmark event for the green and ecological transition in the Mediterranean. The state of the art of the market was demonstrated by the 1,400 exhibitor brands filling the 130,000 square metres at this 25th edition of Ecomondo, gathering together the best of Made in Italy and international technologies for the pillars of the green economy: the circular bio-economy, waste and waste-water management and valorisation, soil and sea regeneration, sustainable blue growth and hydrogeological risk, together with solutions and technologies for the solar energy sector, photovoltaics and storage systems, onshore and offshore wind energy, energy efficiency in industry and buildings and a focus on sustainable cities and electric mobility.
