Decarbonisation and the circular economy are not only two fundamental pillars of the green transition but also increasingly strategic drivers for enhancing the competitiveness of organisations and improving process efficiency, at a time marked by growing global uncertainty over the availability of energy and raw materials.

These themes are the focus of STEP by Pollutec, the new event organised in Paris by Pollutec – the leading international trade fair for environmental and energy solutions for industry, cities and regions – in collaboration with RX, a world leader in the trade fair sector, and RELX, a global provider of data, analytical tools and decision-making support for professionals and businesses.

An event reflecting present-day challenges

The event, designed for businesses, local authorities and professionals involved in the ecological transition, will take place on 1 and 2 December 2026 in the French capital, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Hall 1.

Throughout the two days, participants will be able to discover a wide range of innovative solutions, attend conferences and in-depth sessions on the sector’s key trends, and engage with specialists in supporting ecological transition processes, including consultancy firms, investors, financial institutions and insurance companies.

With an increasingly complex international landscape and a European Union undergoing profound regulatory and industrial transformations – ranging from the Competitiveness Compass to the Clean Industrial Deal and including new initiatives on the circular economy and the electrification of consumption – STEP by Pollutec has been created to respond to the specific needs of public and private decision-makers.

The event centres on decarbonisation and the circular economy, now essential themes for the future of the European economy: two approaches that not only meet environmental objectives but also help to reinforce the resilience of organisations, reduce dependence on critical resources and enhance the continent’s industrial sovereignty.

Solutions, meetings and case studies

The exhibition area will feature innovative solutions aimed at reducing carbon emissions and developing circular production models. Topics related to decarbonisation include energy efficiency, waste heat recovery, the electrification of industrial processes, and renewable thermal energy. On the circular economy front, the focus will be on eco-design, the efficient use of resources, sustainable water management, recycling and the recovery of materials.

The conference programme is set to be divided into two main strands: “Geopolitics and strategic resource management” and “Building European resilience”. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore numerous practical examples of the transition, assessing their outcomes, challenges and opportunities. The case studies will cover a range of application areas, from industrial and territorial ecology to large-scale decarbonisation projects, and large-scale circular economy strategies. There will also be opportunities for business and networking, with targeted meetings between solution providers, buyers, investors and stakeholders involved in the ecological transition.

Prominent figures and experts from across Europe

Alongside honorary president Brune Poirson, former French Secretary of State for Ecological Transition, STEP by Pollutec will gather speakers and experts from across Europe.

Initially announced guests include Antoni Ballabriga, Global Head of Sustainability Intelligence and Advocacy at BBVA; Julie Hollis, Secretary General of EuroGeoSurveys; Janez Potočnik, Co-Chair of the UNEP International Resource Panel and former European Commissioner for the Environment; Bjarke Skaanning, Director of Kalundborg Symbiosis, a world-renowned example of industrial symbiosis.

With its focus on decarbonisation and the circular economy, STEP by Pollutec aims to become a new European benchmark for all stakeholders engaged in ecological transition, offering a forum for dialogue on technological innovation, industrial strategies and sustainable development.

Cover: image by Envato