The global push toward sustainable production and efficient resource management has found a powerful epicenter in Moscow. The Moscow International Recycling Expo (MIR Expo) 2026, recognized as Europe’s largest annual forum and exhibition for recycled materials, is preparing to welcome over 1,000 market leaders from around the world for three days of intensive business, learning, and collaboration
Event Overview: A Premier Industry Gathering
The 21st edition of MIR Expo will take place on April 19-21, 2026, at the Soluxe Hotel Moscow (formerly the PSB Patriot Cosmos Hotels complex) near the Russian capital. Organized by RA Rusmet and the NSRO Association “RUSLOM.COM” , this annual event has evolved over two decades into a legendary industry platform that combines serious business discussions with unparalleled networking opportunities.
What began as a conference in 2005 attracting approximately 200 participants has grown into a comprehensive international forum covering all aspects of scrap metal, waste management, and the circular economy.
Scale and Participation
MIR Expo 2026 promises impressive scale and professional depth:
- 1,000+ market leaders from metallurgical companies, scrap trading firms, recycling technology manufacturers, and regulatory institutions worldwide
- 90+ speakers, including leading domestic and international experts, industry leaders, manufacturers, academics, and regulatory representatives
- 60+ exhibition stands showcasing technological solutions, machinery, software, digital services, and analytical tools
- 15+ specialized sessions and conferences covering the full spectrum of recycling industry segments
- 25+ market segments examined across ferrous, non-ferrous, and precious metals, as well as various waste streams
The event maintains a strictly professional focus, ensuring that all attendees represent targeted industry sectors with genuine business interests.
Comprehensive Exhibition Sections
The exhibition floor at MIR Expo 2026 will feature an extensive range of thematic sections addressing the complete value chain of recycling and waste management:
Core Recycling Industries
- Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Scrap: Steel, cast iron, copper, aluminum, lead, tin, zinc, brass, bronze
- Precious and Rare Earth Metals: Including gold from electronic waste processing
- Electronic Waste: Processing of household and electronic equipment
- Vehicle Recycling: End-of-life vehicles, military equipment, and agricultural machinery
- Secondary Raw Materials: Paper, plastic, glass, tires, rubber, textiles
- Construction and Industrial Waste: Mining waste, oil sludge, and land reclamation technologies
Innovative and Forward-Looking Sections
- “Taxi for Garbage”: Geo-social services for waste management
- “Banks of the Future”: Ecological personal accounts for citizens
- Low-Carbon Energy: Energy from waste, wind, and solar sources
- Electric Vehicles and the Future Beyond Oil: Automotive industry eco-leaders
- Zero-Waste Countries: Economies with 100% recycling
- Science and Professional Education: Universities and research institutions in ecology
- Industry Associations and Media
- State Policy and Strategy: Regional recycling clusters, ecological fees, and government initiatives
The International Forum “Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Scrap Metals”
A central component of MIR Expo 2026 is the concurrent 21st International Forum “Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Scrap Metals”. This forum has been held annually in Moscow for over 20 years and has become a market legend—an anticipated industry event that combines serious work with meaningful professional communication.
The forum serves as a high-level business platform for scrap metal professionals from Russia and around the world, allowing them to:
- Share best practices and address industry challenges
- Obtain the latest analytical and strategic information on ferrous, non-ferrous, and precious metal scrap
- Discuss secondary raw materials and environmental issues
- Transform expert knowledge into strategic solutions for businesses and government authorities
Eurasian Congress “Solutions for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment”
Another significant concurrent event is the Eurasian Congress “Solutions for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment”. This specialized congress addresses the growing challenge of e-waste management, a particularly pressing issue given that the Eurasian Economic Union alone generates approximately 1.5 million tons of electronic waste annually, valued at an estimated 400 million euros.
Strategic Importance and Market Context
MIR Expo 2026 arrives at a critical moment for the recycling industry globally and in Russia specifically.
Growing Demand for Recycling
With increasing global demand for recycled materials, raw material imbalances, climate commitments, and the push toward sustainable production, scrap metal and waste management have become central topics in industrial planning. The event serves as a critical platform connecting technology, capital, regulation, and collaboration.
Russian Market Dynamics
Russia generates approximately 49 million tons of waste annually, but currently collects less than 30 million tons. This gap highlights both a challenge and an opportunity. Crucially, the focus is shifting not just to stimulating collection, but also to improving the quality of recycling.
The vehicle recycling sector presents particular potential. With over 60 million car owners in Russia and numerous companies operating their own fleets, it’s estimated that vehicle recycling could yield 2 million tons of ferrous scrap annually, along with batteries, plastics, and rubber—a source of high-value secondary raw materials worth over 10 billion euros per year.
Regulatory Environment
Russia’s scrap metal industry is transitioning from an export-oriented model toward increased domestic consumption. Government measures include:
- Zero import duties on scrap metal to encourage domestic processing
- Export restrictions on scrap metal to ensure supply for domestic producers
- Temporary export duties on ferrous and non-ferrous metals to stabilize domestic prices
These policy shifts reflect Russia’s broader strategy to develop its recycling infrastructure and reduce dependence on primary raw materials.
Future Demand Projections
Experts project that by 2020 (recent forecasts now extended), Russia’s steel industry’s scrap consumption was expected to grow from approximately 25 million tons to about 44 million tons annually. This increasing demand, coupled with seasonal supply constraints and transportation limitations, suggests that scrap prices are unlikely to decline and may even experience gradual growth.
Program Highlights and Practical Tasks
The organizers have outlined several practical objectives for MIR Expo 2026:
- Strategic Insights: Presentations and participation from leading players in the international scrap market, discussing development strategies and scrap demand forecasts for the next five years
- Industry Standards: Development and approval of professional industry standards
- Recognition of Excellence: Awarding of winners in the National competition “The Best in the scrap market”
- Knowledge Exchange: Expert speeches and reports from specialists in ferrous and non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, metalworking, and recycling
Target Audience
MIR Expo 2026 attracts a highly targeted professional audience representing all stakeholders in the recycling value chain:
- Metallurgical companies and steel mills
- Scrap trading firms and collectors
- Recycling technology manufacturers and suppliers
- Equipment manufacturers for scrap processing and material handling
- Service providers offering digital and analytical solutions
- Representatives of regulatory institutions and government bodies
- Industry associations and media
- Academic and research institutions focused on ecology and recycling
- Investors and financial institutions interested in the circular economy
International Participation and Partnerships
The event’s international reach continues to expand. The 2025 edition demonstrated significant global interest, with almost a third of exhibitors being Chinese companies, including scrap and waste processors as well as equipment and technology suppliers. The event maintains media partnerships with international industry publications such as SteelRadar, which serves as an official media partner for MIR Expo 2026.
Venue and Practical Information
Dates and Opening Hours:
- April 19-21, 2026 (exact daily schedule to be confirmed)
Venue: Soluxe Hotel Moscow (formerly PSB Patriot Cosmos Hotels complex)
Moscow region, Odintsovsky urban district, territory of the Military-Patriotic Park “Patriot”, building 4
Alternative Venue Name: Some sources list the venue as the Moscow International Trade Center, which may indicate potential venue confirmation pending
Admission: Trade professionals only; online registration is available through the official website
Organizer Contact:
- Website: https://mir-expo.com/
Registration: Interested participants can register or purchase tickets through the official event platform. The business program and detailed schedules are available for download on the event website.
Distinction from Other “MIR” Events
It’s important to note that the Moscow International Recycling Expo (MIR Expo) is distinct from exhibitions organized by the Mir-Expo Exhibition Company, which focuses on composites, polyurethanes, cryogenics, and heat treatment technologies. While both operate in the Russian exhibition landscape, they serve completely different industries and are organized by separate entities.
As the global community intensifies its focus on sustainability, resource efficiency, and circular economy principles, the Moscow International Recycling Expo 2026 stands as a critical gathering for industry professionals. With its comprehensive exhibition sections, in-depth conference program, and unparalleled networking opportunities, MIR Expo provides the platform where technology, capital, regulation, and collaboration converge.
For manufacturers, suppliers, recyclers, policymakers, and investors alike, this three-day event in April 2026 offers an unmissable opportunity to connect with over 1,000 market leaders, explore cutting-edge technologies, and shape the future of recycling in Russia and beyond. Whether your interest lies in ferrous and non-ferrous scrap, electronic waste, vehicle recycling, or the broader transition to a zero-waste economy, MIR Expo 2026 delivers the insights, partnerships, and solutions needed to thrive in this dynamic sector.
For more information and to register, visit the official event website at mir-expo.com
