SUM 2026 – the 9th Symposium on Circular Economy and Urban Mining – successfully concluded in Procida, reaffirming its role as one of the leading international events dedicated to circular economy, sustainable resource management, and urban mining.
Over the course of the three-day Symposium, 219 participants from 29 countries contributed to an intensive programme of scientific and multidisciplinary exchange, featuring 149 oral presentations, 16 workshops, and 17 poster sessions. Researchers, professionals, institutional representatives, and stakeholders from a wide range of sectors shared knowledge, experiences, and perspectives on the key challenges and opportunities associated with the transition towards more circular and sustainable economic models.

The 2026 edition, scientifically organized by IRACE - International Research Association on Circular Economy, further strengthened SUM’s international and multidisciplinary character by fostering dialogue across different disciplines and encouraging new collaborations among academia, industry, and institutions. Particular attention was devoted to emerging challenges related to critical raw materials recovery, the recycling of complex waste streams, microplastics management, PFAS, and the relationship between circular economy, environment, public health, and energy.

One of the key topics emerging from the Symposium was the role of the circular economy to support energy resource recovery, an issue of growing strategic importance in light of the current geopolitical context and the increasing demand for energy security and resilience. 
These themes will be at the heart of the next international event: Venice 2026 - 11th International Symposium on Energy from Biomass and Waste, to be held in Venice, Italy, from 23 to 25 November 2026.

We would like to thank all participants, speakers, and members of the scientific and organizing committees who contributed to the success of SUM 2026.

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