Remarkable Attendance and Significant Influence at E-Waste World 2025, Battery Recycling, Metal Recycling, ITAD, and Circular Electronics Conferences and Exhibitions
Messe Frankfurt played host to the 2025 E-Waste World, Battery Recycling, Metal Recycling, ITAD & Circular Electronics Conferences & Expos, a groundbreaking event that brought together over 4,000 professionals from around the world. The two-day conference showcased policy innovation, global collaboration, cutting-edge recycling technologies, and actionable circular economy strategies as pivotal elements driving the future of e-waste and battery recycling industries.
The conference kicked off with a focus on the upcoming revision of the EU WEEE Directive in 2026, a crucial opportunity to improve circularity by boosting recycling rates, closing collection gaps, enhancing extended producer responsibility, and recovering critical raw materials. Stakeholders discussed the technical, regulatory, and market instruments needed to align with the Circular Economy Act and the Clean Industrial Deal.
African e-waste management was another key topic, with industry leaders addressing challenges and correcting misconceptions about Africa’s e-waste sector. Discussions underscored the importance of international cooperation and local solutions to develop sustainable and responsible recycling systems on the continent.
Innovations in battery and metal recycling were also highlighted, with presentations covering state-of-the-art practices for recovering valuable metals from black mass generated during battery recycling. The logistics challenges of the EV battery sector were discussed, with DHL sharing insights on scaling from niche to mass-market EV battery logistics and recycling.
The event emphasised the necessity of systemic change and cross-sector collaboration, such as the CIRCULAR FOAM project aimed at closing the PUR rigid foam cycle. This showcased how chemical recycling, regional involvement, and investment are critical enablers of the European Green Deal and climate neutrality goals.
Workshops and panel discussions emphasized how SMEs and industries can innovate in circularity, resource efficiency, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategies. The "Get into the Loop" workshop allowed participants to design real-world circular economy projects, highlighting practical steps towards sustainability and competitive advantage.
Discussions at Metal & Critical Raw Material Recycling Conference emphasised the importance of refining technologies that deliver both purity and profitability. Sessions at E-Waste World highlighted that carbon insets are now central to both sustainability and profitability. The ITAD & Circular Electronics Conference, on the other hand, focused on themes of reuse, data security, and digital tools.
The 2025 events broke records for turnout and strategic impact, with exhibitors and attendees energised by the opportunity to rethink old models and co-create an eco-friendly future. The FutuRaM project, presented at Battery Recycling, delivered multi-scenario projections for Europe’s battery waste stream to 2050.
ForSURE's Niclas Brinkmann stated that collaboration is what will unlock the enormous value in the industry. Amanda Tring, Head of Marketing at Trans-World Events, commented that the event surpassed expectations on every front.
The 2026 events will take place on 17-18 June 2026, in Hall 3, Messe Frankfurt, Germany. The events will continue to emphasise the importance of collaboration in unlocking the industry's value, as we strive towards a greener, more resilient industrial ecosystem.
- The conference, focusing on the upcoming EU WEEE Directive revision in 2026, highlighted the need for collaboration and the use of cutting-edge recycling technologies to boost recycling rates, close collection gaps, and recover critical raw materials, aligning with the Circular Economy Act and the Clean Industrial Deal.
- Innovations in environmental-science, such as the CIRCULAR FOAM project and the FutuRaM project's multi-scenario projections for Europe’s battery waste stream to 2050, were showcased, underscoring the importance of chemical recycling, regional involvement, investment, and technological advancements in achieving climate neutrality goals and the European Green Deal.
