The European Demolition Association, EDA, returns once again with its Annual Convention.

This time, the yearly event will take place from 13-15 June in the famous White City: Belgrade, Serbia. The annual convention will be organized in collaboration with the European Decontamination Institute, EDI, and Serbian Demolition Association, SDA. It will reunite the demolition, decontamination and recycling (DDR) industry professionals from all around the world. The EDA Annual Convention 2024 will take place at the Hilton Belgrade Hotel.

Workshops and General Assembly

Everything starts on Thursday, June 13th at 10.30 with the first workshop that has the headline “Definition of roles and attraction of new talents in the demolition industry”. The workshop his headed by Duncan Rudall, NFDC, and Jose Blanco, EDA General Secretary. At 12:30 Roberto Agostoni from Hammerglass will present the case study with headline “Knowledge and caring is good – standards and regulations, even better”. This case study will be followed by another case study with the headline “The mechanisation of Jobsite as a solution for the labour shortage and process optimization” held by Harold Thum from KTEG. After the lunch break the second workshop will start with the headline “Digital tools for circular economy and pre-demolition audit” held by a representative from Tecnalia. The conference day will finish with the EDA General Assembly, which is only for members.

After a couple of hours leg resting a welcome cocktail will take place at 19.00 in the hotel’s sky bar.

Conference day and gala dinner

As usual a quite busy day. All presentation will be multilingual conferences with simultaneous interpretation. After reception and accreditation of the participants EDA President Stefano Panseri will hold the official opening of the conference. This will be followed by the first conference session. Serbian Authorities will make a institutional presentation followed by a speech of Piotr Kowalczyk from the European Commission DG Environment concerning the Circular Economy Transition in the EU Taxonomy. Steve Andrew from ERM will present a case study: “Designing for demolition whilst driving the principles of the Circular Economy”.

Duncan Rudall, NFDC will speak over the subject “Defining roles and responsibilities of the demolition professionals and attracting new workers”.

After a coffee break the second conference session will start with Marco Camboni from RPA Europe giving an update on EU Construction and Demolition Waste Protocol.

Ioannis Anyfantis, EU-OSHA will talk about advanced robotics and task automation under the headline “Implications for Occupational Safety and Health”. This will be followed by the speech “Contractors’ challenges in the future end-of-life projects” held by Kurt van Stappen, Tractebel.

After lunch Gordana Materljan from European Commission – DG Employment will present the revised provisions of the European Asbestos at Work Directive. Marianne Hedberg from the Swedish company Miljöbygg will talk over the subject: “Insulation: can it be a climate hazard?”. Vladimir Michal from International Atomic Energy Agency will talk about: “Nuclear Decommissioning: perspectives, challenges and opportunities”.

After a coffee break the fourth conference session will start with the case study “Close loop recycling of glazing” held by Contino Antonella from AGC Glass Europe. Another case story will be held by Kurt Bicker from Max Wild with the headline “Civil Demolition of the Neckartal Crossing”. The professional programme will end around 17.30. As it is customary, the EDA gala dinner will be held in the evening of the conference day and the location is The White Palace in Belgrade. Located in the heart of the city, it is known for its classic interior, beautiful gardens and rich history. The gala dinner starts at 20.00. 

The sponsors

The sponsors of the EDA Annual Convention 2024 are as follows. Gold sponsors are ACDE Europe, Beilite, Steelwrist and Caterpillar. Silver sponsors are Dynaset, Demarec and KTEG.

Bronze level sponsors are Arden Equipment, Indeco, AMS, MB, VTN Europe, Shearcore, Genesis, Hammerglass, Keestrack, Rotar, OilQuick and Develon. For more information and registration of the event please visit the EDA website.

www.europeandemolition.org