Acea is once again taking part in Ecomondo 2026, Europe’s leading event for the green and circular economy, now in its 29th edition, reaffirming its commitment to developing sustainable models for resource management, industrial innovation and environmental protection. Building on its work in recent years, the Group will participate through Acea Ambiente, which will bring its vision for the ecological transition to Rimini, based on technological innovation, the circular economy, and the recovery and valorisation of resources. The company is now one of Italy’s leading operators in the sector, with 20 plants across the country and a workforce of approximately 800 people. In 2025, it treated over 1.6 million tonnes of waste, with operations spanning the entire cycle of recovery, treatment and disposal.
Acea will have a stand in Hall D3 and will participate in technical and institutional panel discussions, conferences and roundtables, showcasing its experience in the sector. A new addition for 2026 will be “Set Point” (2017), an artwork by Roman artist Giovanni de Cataldo, which will be on display at the centre of the stand. Created from a section of guardrail deformed during a crash test and subsequently covered in fluorescent yellow felt, the artwork offers a reflection on the concept of transformation and the value of resources.
Inspired by Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier’s principle that “nothing is created, nothing is destroyed, everything is transformed”, the artwork explores the value of materials and the possibility of giving new meaning to something that has seemingly outlived its purpose. This message reflects the principles of circular economy promoted by Acea Ambiente, where recovering materials and maximising their value are practical ways to create new value, reduce waste and generate new opportunities for the environment and the local communities.
The Group’s participation in Ecomondo 2026 will also include a series of events focusing on key issues relating to the ecological transition, the circular economy and industrial innovation. Today, Gabriele Di Cinto, Chief Executive Officer of Acea Ambiente, will take part in the ESG CEO Summit 2026, which will bring together top executives from leading companies committed to sustainability and to integrating ESG criteria into their development strategies. Tomorrow, 4 November, Acea Ambiente will host a conference entitled “Estensione della normativa ETS alla termovalorizzazione. Impatti industriali, sfide tecnologiche e prospettive economiche” (“Extending the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to Waste-to-Energy: industrial implications, technological challenges and economic prospects”), focusing on the implications of the possible inclusion of waste-to-energy plants in the EU Emissions Trading System. On 5 November, the conference entitled "Il lato fisico del cloud: la sfida ambientale dei data centre" (“The physical side of the cloud: the environmental challenge of data centres”) will examine the environmental and infrastructure challenges posed by the development of data centres, with particular attention to the sustainable management of energy, water and material resources throughout their life cycle.
Acea at Ecomondo 2026: innovation, the environment and contemporary art to envision the future of resources
