By CEP Staff • 15 November 2022 in News

Three country and region pavilions will be returning to Eco Expo Asia 2022 including the Canada, Hong Kong and Japan pavilions, the latter of which will represent its largest iteration yet. With both Hong Kong and Japan recently lifting mandatory hotel quarantine measures, the stage has been set for both regions to deepen cooperation between their respective environmental protection industries. As such, the fair is expecting increased overseas participation in terms of exhibitors and visitors this year.  

Eco Expo Asia will take place from 14 – 17 December 2022 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. As in previous editions, the fair will continue to feature a wide variety of product zones and pavilions and facilitate exchange and cooperation between different industries under the eco umbrella.

Japan pavilion to feature cutting-edge green technology

The Japan pavilion will grow significantly in size this year to become around four times larger than its previous edition. Representing the best of Japanese innovation, around 30 exhibitors will showcase their latest products and solutions in green transportation, resource upcycling, as well as green finance and ESG.

Japan, similar to Hong Kong, has a target of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. Many of the country’s industries have thus formulated their strategies in line with government policies and objectives. Japanese firms are particularly strong in eco-friendly products and recycling technologies. The country is ranked second in the world for recycling plastics behind only Germany, with a plastics recycling rate of over 85%. This penchant for plastics recycling will be displayed at the Japan pavilion with exhibitors such as Mt Fuji Springs (HK) presenting 100% recycled PET bottles. Mitsubishi Chemical Hong Kong will put on a demonstration of their 3D printing technology using bio-based plastic filaments to produce product samples. YKK Hong Kong will display its signature plant-derived zippers as well as their newly introduced water repellent zipper with tape made from recycled PET plastic.

Green transportation is another important area in the country’s net-zero strategy, with the government aiming to eliminate the sale of gasoline vehicles by the mid-2030s. Among exhibitors in this category include Japan Airlines, who two years ago pledged a commitment to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 and will operate its first fully sustainable charter flight this month, using sustainable aviation fuel. Toyota Tsusho HK, the trading arm of the Toyota Group, will showcase its clean and renewable power generation technology, including hydrogen power. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Hong Kong), will also be present. Earlier this year they won a contract to develop Macao’s Light Rapid Transit (LRT) system, supporting the Macao SAR government’s vision for developing an environmentally friendly transportation system by 2030.

Japan has also been a big success in green finance in recent years, accounting for 8% of the world’s total sustainable investment assets, worth over USD 35 trillion (HKD 274 trillion). The Japan Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry also launched a JPY 2 trillion (HKD 106 billion) fund to provide support to business-led decarbonisation initiatives over the next ten years. Mitsubishi HC Capital (Hong Kong), as part of the Japan pavilion will showcase their solutions for leasing and financing for solar panels, electric vehicles and more to help achieve carbon neutrality.

Eco Expo Asia 2022 promotes international participation and exchange across diverse industries In addition to the Japan pavilion, Eco Expo Asia 2022 will feature two more pavilions representing Hong Kong and Canada. The Hong Kong pavilion will host a number of local companies and government agencies, with two new participants, the Civil Engineering and Development Department and Energizing Kowloon East. The Canada pavilion also returns, featuring Canadian companies from across multiple industry sectors. The fair will also include a variety of thematic zones ranging from green transportation to green finance and more.

Eco Expo Asia 2022 will take place from 14 – 17 December at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with the last day (17 December) open to the public. In addition, the online services will run until 24December. The fair is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and co-organised by the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.For more information about the fair, please email [email protected] or [email protected], or visit www.ecoexpoasia.com.

For details around the latest inbound travel requirements to Hong Kong, please visit the link below for the government’s latest announcement: www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202209/24/P2022092400048.htm