CDE announces details for 2026 Symposium

Photo: CDE

The two-day event will take place in Brussels, Belgium, on 7–8 May 2026, bringing together materials processors, technology experts, policymakers, academics, and legislators to explore solutions to global challenges in waste recycling and environmental remediation, with a particular focus on PFAS contamination.

CDE said CIRCLE 2026 will feature a mix of presentations, discussions, and technology showcases aimed at advancing circular economy practices and redefining waste as a valuable resource.

A major theme of the event will be tackling PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)—chemicals found in thousands of products and increasingly detected in soils and waste streams. With regulators tightening standards, the industry faces growing pressure to find effective remediation methods.

CDE said it plans to unveil a first-of-its-kind PFAS soil remediation solution during the symposium, describing it as a potential breakthrough in how the sector addresses persistent chemical pollution.

The company also confirmed that Robert Bilott, the environmental attorney known for exposing the global impact of PFAS contamination, will deliver the headline keynote address. A partner at Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP, Bilott is recognised internationally for his two-decade legal battle against chemical manufacturer DuPont—a story that inspired his book Exposure and the feature film Dark Waters.

Bilott’s keynote will focus on the environmental and public health implications of PFAS and the need for continued innovation in managing contamination.

“This is not your typical conference” said CDE Business Development Director Darren Eastwood. “CIRCLE is a call to action. By convening global decision-makers in the beating heart of EU policymaking, the symposium will provide a truly collaborative platform to accelerate the pace of change in waste recycling and help rewrite the narrative around waste for a more circular future.

“We will notably be unveiling a first-of-its-kind solution for PFAS soil remediation – a breakthrough that could redefine how the industry tackles one of the most persistent environmental threats of our time”