Successful 8th E&E Congress – Sustainability, Resilience, Innovation
Sustainability, Resilience and Innovation were the themes of the 8th E&E Congress, which took place in Budapest, Hungary, on 19th to 21st June 2024.
Congress programme
Jointly organised by Eurobitume and EAPA, the congress featured 11 technical sessions where experts delivered informative presentations about the latest cutting-edge research, innovative technical developments, new applications and sustainability challenges facing the bitumen and asphalt sector.
There were also three interactive workshops, a display of technical posters and a popular exhibition area, where attendees had access to over 40 organisations showcasing their products and services.
On the Eurobitume stand, which was situated in a specially designed area within the exhibition known as the Association Village, during coffee breaks delegates were able to meet members of the Eurobitume team and learn more about the organisation from watching an informative short Introduction to Eurobitume video.
In the well attended opening session of the congress, the Hungarian Secretary to the State Minister of Transport, Mr Nagy Balint, said a few words acknowledging this important industry event was being held in his country. He was followed by the Presidents of Eurobitume, Pavel Kriz (ExxonMobil), and EAPA, Ralf Pomp (Matthias Heyer Group), who warmly addressed the delegates at the start of the congress.
The congress moderator, Mia Forbes Pirie, then introduced European Commission Policy Officer within DG GROW, Philippe Moseley, who provided a pre-recorded keynote 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 and lively panel discussion, which set the atmosphere for the numerous technical sessions and workshops afterwards.
Session recordings All the session recordings are available to registered congress attendees via the Congress Platform for three months following the congress (so until mid-September 2024).
Networking opportunities Numerous networking opportunities were organised throughout the congress, so the 750 delegates from more than 50 countries, could discuss common challenges, potential solutions and forge new or stronger relationships with each other.
On the evening before the congress opened there was a fully subscribed scenic cruise along the Danube, and at the end of the first day there was a congress welcome reception in the exhibition area after the technical programme was closed. On the Thursday there was a #RunnersLoveAsphalt fun run early on the Thursday morning, when more than 50 people – many wearing a limited edition #RunnersLoveAsphalt running top – took part in the first E&E ‘run for fun’ around the beautiful Margrit Island.
That evening there was a wonderful congress dinner in the majestic Museum of Fine Arts, which featured live music, superb food and excellent company.
Congress summary video
If you would like to watch a short (3’20”) video about the congress, please click here.
Congress sponsorship
The congress also attracted valuable support from a number of key companies:
- Gold sponsors: Eurobitume member company Nynas, Duna Group and Strabag
- Silver sponsor: ExxonMobil, also a Eurobitume member company
- Bronze sponsor: JRS.
Positive feedback from participants
A post-congress survey conducted among Delegates and Industry Partners (sponsors and exhibitors), revealed a high level of satisfaction with the 8th E&E Congress from the responses received:
Delegate feedback highlights
- 93% of Delegates rated their experience of the E&E Congress 2024 as High or Very High.
- Input from Experts, Poster Area and Exhibition Area were aspects of the Congress which many Delegates rated Good or Excellent.
Industry Partner feedback highlights
- 100% of Industry Partners rated their general Satisfaction with the congress as High or Very High.
- More than 90% of Industry Partner respondents rated the Networking Opportunities provided at the congress as Good or Very Good.
Future E&E events
The next jointly organised Eurobitume and EAPA event will be the 3rd E&E Event, which will once again be held in Austria’s beautiful capital city, Vienna, and take place on 11-12th June 2026.
Details about the 9th E&E Congress, scheduled to take place in 2028, will be announced when they have been finalised.
