POLLUTEC 2003: The Environment Event of the Year

As of 15th April and despite an uncertain economic situation and international background, over 60% of the stand space had already been booked.

60,000 m² of innovative solutions

Occupying the ultra modern and functional Hall 6 of the Exhibition Centre for the first time, the 60,000 m² of the show will offer a comprehensive overview of the environment solutions (products, equipment, services) that are currently available in the fields of water, waste and recycling, air, energy, site and soil decontamination, analysis/measurement/monitoring, industrial cleaning ...

Although, as always, water and waste will account for a major proportion of the show (about 70% of the area in total), Pollutec will continue to offer substantial space to themes that reflect the current concerns of industry and local authorities:

• Risk prevention and management will occupy about 1,500m² of stand space and will feature tools for prevention, detection, intervention and monitoring... as well as a discussion forum organized by INERIS (Institute for the Industrial Environment and Risks), in partnership with the BRGM (Office of Geological and Mining Research) and the IRSN (Radiological and Nuclear Safety Protection Institute);
• Coastal development and protection are priorities today for many elected representatives. They will be able to discover all the tools for fighting accidental spillages, beach cleaning equipment, water quality management solutions and sea front development solutions gathered together in a village...
• Noise is the 4th most serious environmental concern of French people and it will have its own village where all the innovative acoustic solutions will be grouped around the CIDB (Noise Information and Documantation Centre) and the Noise task Force of the Ministry of the Environment.

In response to visitor expectations, two themes will receive special emphasis this year:

• Renewable sources of energy (solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, wind, hydrogen...). These are currently favoured by regulations and will be the subject of an Energy Forum that will feature numerous discussions organized by ADEME (Environment and Energy Saving Agency), the Renewable Energies Association (SER), AFH2 (the French Hydrogen Association), the magazine Enerpresse...
• Decontamination of sites and soils. More than ever, this is a hot topic that over 34% of visitors to the show (ECCE 2002 survey) wanted covered. For the first time at Pollutec, it will have a village of its own organized by the UPDS (Professional Union of Site Decontamination Companies).

Topical themes feature prominently in the discussions

As always, the show will also be an opportunity for those involved in the environment to survey the current state of techniques and regulations through the numerous conferences organized by the professional associations and organizations in the sector. Fifteen conferences or discussions will be organized as part of this programme (programme available at the end of May on the pollutec.com website).

In parallel, Pollutec will host numerous areas for exchanges and discussions open to all visitors free of charge. 2 exhibition forums, dedicated to presentations of technological innovations, 2 themed forums (Risks and Energies) and 3 villages (Coast, Noise, Decontamination of sites and soils), as well as round tables and talks, which will take place continously over the four days of the show.

Increasingly international

Pollutec is continuing its international development this year. On the exhibitor side, seven countries have already announced they will be organizing national stands: Algeria, Belgium, Canada, Germany, Luxemburg, South Korea and the USA. Of course, as previously, numerous companies will have individual stands (a total of about 500 foreign companies are expected).

So far, as visitors are concerned, the show is redoubling its promotional efforts to significantly increase participation from North Africa, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America, West Africa and Asia.

The show will stage numerous international events this year, including:

• A series of meetings focusing on Algeria - the show's country of the year - These will focus on its concerns and expectations in relation to water management and will be held on its stand in the presence of the Minister for Water Resources.
• Three major international conferences with simultaneous interpreting: the AGHTM-EWA (European Water Association) conference on the "Operation and maintenance of sewer and water supply systems"; the AGHTM-ISWA (International Solid Waste Association) conference on the "Biological management of waste" and the IOA (International Solid Waste Association) conference on the "Biological management of waste" and the IOA (International Ozone Association) conference dedicated to the "Industrial applications of ozone".
• Business meetings designed to foster technology transfer, including the 1st Eco-Etape 2003 meetings organized by UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) to develop technology partnerships between Latin America, Chinese and European manufacturers; presentations of investment requirements in Poland and Hungary...
• The launch of a new prize to highlight technological innovation in Europe: the EEP Awards for Environmental Innovation, organized by the EEP (European Environmental Press) in partnership with the EFAEP (European Federation of Associations of Environmental professionals.)

Contact Isabelle Van Laethem: dvl@wanadoo.fr