Highlights from E&E Congress 2024
The recent 8th E&E Congress in Budapest, Hungary, was a huge success, with approximately 750 participants from more than 50 countries coming together to hear about the latest cutting-edge industry research, innovative technical developments, new applications and sustainability challenges facing the bitumen and asphalt sector.
Attendees discussed common challenges and potential solutions and made the most of numerous opportunities to network face to face, which were particularly welcomed after eight years had passed since 6th E&E Congress in Prague 2016 – as the 7th E&E Congress was eventually held in 2021 as a virtual event, due to the COVID pandemic.
The Congress was recognised in the opening session by the Hungarian Secretary to the State Minister of Transport, Mr Nagy Balint, after which the Presidents of Eurobitume, Pavel Kriz (ExxonMobil), and EAPA, Ralp Pomp (Matthias Heyer Group), welcomed the delegates.
The professional moderator, Mia Forbes Pirie, introduced the European Commission’s Policy Officer, Philippe Moseley, who provided a pre-recorded presentation for the Congress. This was followed by two live keynotes: from Elisabet Stadler (PeaB), representing the asphalt sector; and Pete Grass (AiF), representing the bitumen sector. The opening session concluded with an interesting panel discussion, which was facilitated by the moderator.
During the Congress programme, technical experts and senior industry stakeholders from around the world delivered presentations as part of themed sessions. There were also three interactive workshops, a display of technical posters and a very popular exhibition area where attendees had access to over 40 companies showcasing their products and services.
It is important to highlight the key sponsors which supported the Congress: Gold sponsor and Eurobitume member company Nynas, Duna Group and Strabag; Silver sponsor – ExxonMobil, also a Eurobitume member company; and Bronze sponsor – JRS.
There were plenty of opportunities for attendees to network including; a pre-congress cruise along the river Danube on the evening before; a welcome reception on the first day in the exhibition area; coffee and lunch breaks throughout the Congress, and a unique opportunity to visit the beautiful Museum of Fine Art, where the Congress Dinner was held. Not to forget an early morning gathering of #RunnersLoveAsphalt, who took part in an E&E run for fun on the middle day!
A more detailed overview of the 8th E&E Congress is being prepared and will be available as a feature article on the Eurobitume website next month.
Do not forget that all the session recordings are available on the Congress Platform for three months for those people that registered!
