Eco Expo Asia celebrates 10 years in October

Eco Expo Asia, the trade event for green businesses in Asia, will gather together industry experts and internationally renowned brands for the 10th time this year. From 28–31 October at AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong, visitors can expect a showcase of cutting-edge green solutions, industry technologies and eco-friendly products from leading industry players.

The annual event is organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK), with co-organisation by the Environment Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). The show last year welcomed a record-breaking 308 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions, and received 10,817 visitors from 89 countries and regions.

“Eco Expo Asia is an exceptional platform which gathers government officials, international enterprises, professional buyers and major stakeholders within the environmental protection business,” said Wong Kam-sing, secretary for the Environment Bureau of the Government of the HKSAR. “It helps promote the green industry as a whole.”

This year’s show will be themed ‘Embracing a Green and Sustainable Future’, in line with the Hong Kong Government’s policies on sustainable use of resources. This concept will be expanded on in special themed days, including ‘Global Green Insights’, ‘Cleaner Production and Waste Management’, ‘Green Building and Energy Efficiency’ and ‘Green Living’.

“The 2015 edition will feature a collection of the latest environmental protection technologies, services and products,” said HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Benjamin Chau. “Air and water quality, energy and energy efficiency, green building solutions and services, green transportation, and waste management and recycling services will be the main product categories of the fair.”

The fair will host a strong line-up of exhibitors, including internationally and locally renowned industry players such as Green Dynamic, Honest Motors, Life Air, Pentens, REC, Robin Energy, Synergy Group and Volkswagen. Olli Gunst, marketing manager at Enevo Oy in Finland, noted that the fair is helping his company to learn about the Chinese market as it looks to expand in the Asia-Pacific region.

“The scale of the show is massive and there is a lot of potential for our business,” Gunst said. “We have met some good direct customers and there is definitely room for cooperation.”

Both new and returning overseas pavilions are planning to join the fair. Making its first appearance will be the Illinois Pavilion, which will serve as a launch pad for a delegation from the State of Illinois, as well as other US enterprises in the future, to tap the expanding green market in Asia.

“Water plays a significant role in Illinois’ economy,” explained Kitty Leung, managing director at the State of Illinois Far East Office. “Illinois is home to the world’s largest wastewater treatment plant and also has access to the world’s largest freshwater reserve. With our leadership position in the water treatment industry and our state-of-the-art technologies, we are attending Eco Expo Asia this year to cultivate new business partnerships and meet visitors.”

Another debutant will be the Taiwan Pavilion, organised by Taiwan’s Green Trade Promotion Office (GTPO). Ready to take centre stage in Asia’s eco industry, companies from Taiwan will showcase a full range of eco-friendly solutions that represent the pavilion’s theme of ‘Green Trends for Healthy and Sustainable Living’.

“With Asia’s rising concerns for a cleaner environment and production, the green-tech market in the region is in full swing,” said GTPO’s Sherry Tsou. “Taking part in the expo not only helps strengthen Taiwan’s industry position in the global marketplace, but also allows us to reach foreign investors.”

Returning pavilions include the Japan Pavilion — organised by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) since 2013 — and the Switzerland Pavilion, which will be demonstrating the kinds of technologies the country will use to cut its greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.

With a number of pressing environmental challenges worldwide, Eco Expo Asia 2015 aims to serve as a holistic platform that offers green solutions and enables companies, government officials and individuals to connect. For more information, email ecoexpo@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com or exhibitions@hktdc.org, or visit www.ecoexpoasia.com.