The jubilee Ekotech under the banner of ecology, innovation and green solutions

Globtrak presented equally impressive technologies, including a module detecting waste fractions and container fill-level sensors used in garbage trucks, an RFID system, and route monitoring. - Our solutions for the municipal sector are mainly used in garbage trucks and other vehicles collecting waste. RFID container identification is achieved by receiving tagged containers and recording them on video.  The latest technology supervises waste collection logistics: using AI, we recognise, among other things, the colour of containers, and the entire vehicle route plan is set for specific segregation, explained Mateusz Haba, product manager at Globtrak.

Automation enthusiasts were delighted with the modern bottle vending machines from BARTONTECH, which offer the latest device that can hold 6 to 12 thousand bottles and cans. The exhibition also featured specialist vehicles for the municipal sector. E-VAN presented its first electric utility vehicles, including FOTON eAumark—a chassis of the future powered by electricity.

Smart city in practice – innovations for modern cities

Ekotech also featured innovative and smart city solutions offered by startups from the Kielce Technology Park.  Seedia presented solar benches and shelters with phone charging, environmental data collection and Wi-Fi access.  Other proposals supporting the sustainable development of urban spaces include intelligent info kiosks, multimedia totems, and eco-friendly charging stations for scooters and bicycles.

The startup Seedia offers solar benches and bus shelters that can charge phones, collect environmental data, provide Wi-Fi access, and even provide cooling. Smart city solutions support sustainable development and effective management of public spaces;  these include intelligent info kiosks and multimedia totems equipped with touch interfaces, city information systems, and digital advertising, often supporting e-paper and energy-saving systems. - We specialise in intelligent urban infrastructure, which aims to build modern, ecological cities. Our solutions, such as info kiosks and totems operating at bus stops or stations, provide ongoing information to passengers. The operator manages the content remotely, so there is no need to change the timetable at each stop in person, said Karolina Łaciak, a company representative.

Exchange of knowledge, experiences and inspirations

The rich and diversified agenda of accompanying events at the Ekotech attracted professionals from Poland and abroad from the municipal economy and environmental protection sectors to the Kielce exhibition centre. The main theme of the two-day International Waste Management Forum MIFOD was the levels of recycling, their challenges and opportunities, and the presentation of solutions for waste collection, transport, and management. This year marks the eleventh edition of the MIFOD conference and a record number of applications to participate in the event, which I am very happy about, said Andrzej Bednarek, representative of the MIFOD Foundation and President of the AK Nova company, during the opening of the International Waste Management Forum.

Green strategies for cities of the future were discussed at the Urban Greenery, Water and Air Congress in Kielce. This event brought together experts, local government officials, urban planners, scientists, and business representatives to discuss the most important ecological challenges of modern cities. The organisers announce consecutive Congress next year, with even more involvement of cities, organisations and experts. - Each presentation is a story about a specific city and its green development path - we want to share experiences, but also listen and inspire each other – said the District Greenery and Communal Services Company president in Kielce, Paweł Kułaga.

The lecture by a valued speaker from Waste Powertech was very interesting. He presented a specific technological solution supporting energy and environmental transformation with the company's Polish partners, the Waste 2 Energy installation. - When we worked on our solution 15 years ago, we primarily focused on small towns.;  we wondered how people in small towns could use their waste to generate electricity. Let's imagine we have a city with a population of 20,000 people.  Now, in the European Union, average waste production is between 1 and 1.5 kg per person per day. So, 750 MW of electricity can be produced per month. This means that one installation can provide electricity for 4,000 households. – explained Bogdan Busioc, commercial director of Waste Powertech, an expert in waste management and implementation of modern technologies in the spirit of the circular economy.

The jubilee Ekotech included a number of industry meetings and among them an information panel from the FORS Car Recycling Forum Association dedicated to vehicle recycling, a debate on the steel scrap market organised by the Scrap Economy Chamber of Industry and Commerce, a panel of the Odzyskaj Środowisko [Regain Environment] Foundation "2025 Deposit Schemes" and educational workshops by the Innowatorium Association. There was also space for consultations at the Circular Economy and Recycling Cluster point, as well as an opportunity to learn about good practices in the field of ecology and waste reduction from the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship Marshal's Office.  The conference "Business in Kazakhstan—Development Prospects" was organised for the first time at Ekotech. It presented economic opportunities and cooperation with the Kazakh market, as well as the premiere Days of Ecomobility—tests of a specialised electric vehicle and lectures on the effective use of renewable energy in municipal plants.

Accolades for the industry’s best

The Ekotech culminated in the gala during which companies that contributed significantly to the sector's development and distinguished themselves with innovation and aesthetics of presentation were honored. APRIVA was recognised for its intelligent waste collection system, Guidetti for Reco Mill, an innovative recycling solution, and the Odzyskaj Środowisko Foundation for the “eco returns” project. Ekotech medals were awarded to SKAVSKA HALE for the arched hall Skavska Hale model 8M, designed for roofing boxes made of prefabricated concrete elements of the "Lego" type for storing and segregating waste and bulk materials, and to ECOBAUTER – PLASTOCHEM for an innovative thin-layer thermal insulation system. The TOP DESIGN distinction honoured Expo stands that stood out with their attractive and modern presentation. The accolades were presented to the following companies:  E-VAN, ARBENA SPÓŁKA, SZCZOT-TECH KIELCE and SUSTY WASTES SOLUTIONS POLSKA (SWS POLSKA).  TOP DESIGN awards for a unique approach to presentation were given to:  PANA CENTRAL EUROPE and Guidetti SRL from Italy. The gala recognised companies and individuals celebrating business anniversaries this year; the list of honour  included Skavska celebrating its 10th anniversary, APRIVA with its 15th anniversary, and Eljot with its 35th anniversary. Adam Małyszko, President of the FORS Association, who celebrated 20 years in office, and Bogdan Grabowski, owner of the company Grabowski Eksport Import Handel Hurtowy, who celebrated 35 years of business were also appreciated.

The next Ekotech is held in 2026 at Targi Kielce.