The 11th editions of Eco Expo Asia and the HKTDC Hong Kong International Building and Hardware Fair opened today at the AsiaWorld-Expo. The opening ceremony of Eco Expo Asia was officiated by Wong Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government. Featuring more than 460 exhibitors, the two fairs run for four days (26-29 October). Nearly 90 buying missions were organised, comprising more than 4,000 corporate buyers from 30 countries and regions. Eco Expo Asia will open its doors to the public free of charge on the last day (29 October) to give visitors a better understanding of green industries.
Eco Expo Asia spotlights climate change solutions
The Eco Expo Asia is jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd, and co-organised by the Environment Bureau of the HKSAR Government.
Speaking at the opening of Eco Expo Asia, Mr Wong said, “The Hong Kong SAR Government attaches great importance to combating climate change, and actions are being taken on various fronts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with a view to reducing the territory’s carbon intensity between 50% and 60% by 2020, using 2005 as the base. We are on track to meet the said target.”
Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said, “For more than a decade, Eco Expo Asia has spotlighted exciting technologies for a cleaner and greener future. This year, with reference to the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, we have adopted ‘Green Solutions for a Changing Climate’ as the theme. This new focus aims to raise awareness of climate change solutions that will help governments and companies achieve their sustainability goals.”
This year’s Eco Expo Asia has attracted more than 320 exhibitors from 19 countries and regions and features 12 overseas pavilions and group participations. The expo has nine product zones, spotlighting such topics as Green Transportation Experience, Waste Management and Recycling, Energy Efficiency and Energy, and Green Building Solution and Service as well as the newly-introduced Eco Home Tech zone. Industries, projects and technologies from various countries and regions are showcased, including a number of new green concepts:
– Hong Kong EV Power Ltd. has brought its Smart Ceiling EV Charger, which can be installed at parking spaces without adjacent walls or columns. The charger is compatible with all EVs on the market.
– Fortune Dragon Motors Ltd is featuring two pure electric commercial vans (models D11 and D12) that it distributes. The vans are compatible with European and Japanese charging standards and have a maximum range per charge of over 200 kilometres. The D12 model is available for visitors to test drive and test ride at the fair.
– Eco-Green Group Ltd is exhibiting the Singapore-developed PlanterCell(R) SW-Tank, a high-strength, lightweight and innovative modular storm water storage tank. Made with recycled materials, the system provides a huge capacity for storm water collection and storage to prevent flooding.
– China Water Industry Group Ltd is displaying its beverage bottle separation and crushing system. The recycled and assorted glass is crushed and processed into eco-friendly colour cullets, which can be used for wall, floor tiles, outdoor building and garden decorations.
New Eco Home Tech zone
The new Eco Home Tech zone is presented as a household setting that allows visitors to experience the green living concepts first-hand. An array of innovative green technologies, such as eco-friendly furniture and energy-efficient solutions are featured. Product highlights include the “ButterPly” Eco-friendly Plywood Furniture Series” brought by Upscaling Operations, which is easy to assemble with no screws or tools required; BAFCO Hong Kong Ltd’s Haiku(R) residential ceiling fan, which is equipped with the SenseME(TM) smart technology that monitors room conditions such as movement, temperature and humidity and adjusts fan speed automatically; and Ecopia (Hong Kong) Ltd’s compact household food waste processing system that can fit under the sink. With the use of micro-organisms to break down food waste into water and carbon dioxide, it helps minimise the accumulation of food waste at a cost of just HK$10 per day.
Eco Asia Conference gathers industry leaders
The fair’s signature event, the Eco Asia Conference, invites government officials and industry leaders from different countries and regions to discuss key green policies, sustainable developments and industry opportunities. Speakers this year include Yang Tiesheng, Deputy Head, Energy Conservation and Resources Utilisation Department, Ministry of Industry & Information Technology of the People’s Republic of China; and Enoch Lam, Director of Water Supplies, Water Supplies Department of the HKSAR Government.
Other green topics, including Waste Management & Recycling, Air and Water Quality, Energy Efficiency and Energy, and Green Buildings are also in the spotlight. International industry leaders including Julius de Jong, Managing Director, Orgaworld Asia BV from the Netherlands; Murali Mohan Baggu, Group Manager, Power System Operations and Control Group, National Renewable Energy Laboratory of the United States; and Jan Zak, DGNB Senior Auditor and Member of the DGNB Technical Committee, ikl GmbH from Germany will offer insights into these hot topics.
The inaugural Green Transportation Forum is also launched this year, comprising six seminars focusing on the development of the EV industry with topics covering the development trends of EVs, charging systems, technology advancement of solar energy vehicles, and more.
Public Day to promote green living
The public can take part in Eco Expo Asia for free on the last day (29 October), to experience the joy of green living through a range of fun activities. Mr Wong will also share his insights with secondary school students during the Dialogue with Secretary for the Environment session. Visitors may also join green workshops to learn how to make eco enzymes and practise permaculture. At the public day forum, representatives from the Hong Kong Observatory will discuss the impact of climate change. Furthermore, a renowned ecological educational consultant will offer tips on eco-photography while the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra will introduce its “Eco Huqins Series” and stage live performances. “Green Mart” offers environmentally friendly products for sale, including DoDo Island’s handbags made with upcycled vintage fabrics from Chinese wedding gowns and Japanese kimonos.
Building and Hardware Fair showcases innovative exhibits
The HKTDC Hong Kong International Building and Hardware Fair features more than 140 exhibitors, including new participants from Australia and Malaysia. Shangyu District of Zhejiang Province’s Shaoxing City, well-known as a building industry cluster on the mainland, hosts a pavilion at the fair. The seven fair zones include BIM & Building Technology spotlighting software systems and solutions, and Green Building Materials showcasing various green architectural supplies, as well as Building & Decorative Hardware, Indoor Decorative Materials, and Coating & Chemicals zones.
Various innovative products on show the Building and Hardware Fair include:
– VHSoft Technologies Company Ltd’s VHSmart(TM) Mobile Construction management system, a multi-function application that can be used to monitor project progress and for material tracking.
– BLJ Building Materials Ltd’s Buteline Plumbing System, a drinking water plumbing system from New Zealand that can be installed without soldering. The tough and durable fittings are free of lead and toxic chemicals and are able to prevent the build-up of scale.
– Talent Forest Ltd’s Far-Infrared Carbon Nano-fibres Heated Wood Flooring, which allows for remote-controlled temperature control via a smart device. The temperature can be adjusted within 5 to 20 minutes and the system will power off while preserving heat after reaching the target temperature.
The inaugural HKTDC Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo will be held concurrently with the Eco Expo Asia and HKTDC Hong Kong International Building and Hardware Fair at the AsiaWorld-Expo. The fair has attracted about 380 exhibitors from the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan featuring an array of exhibits in Outdoor Lighting, Professional and Industrial Lighting, Advertising Lighting, as well as Lighting Accessories, Parts & Components. As the lighting and building industries are closely related, the parallel fairs create a strong synergistic effect, creating more business opportunities for both exhibitors and buyers.
