CIRCLE, a one‑day online symposium organised by wet processing company CDE, will explore the future of the rapidly evolving sand and aggregates industry, where the need to recycle is becoming ever more vital.
The symposium – held on May 7 2026 – will examine the evolving regulatory landscape, the impact of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) contaminants on water, soil and clay and the solutions emerging to mitigate risk.
CDE says that even greater obstacles lie ahead, with the widespread presence of PFAS creating both a challenge and an opportunity for operators seeking to stay compliant while advancing their sustainability ambitions.
The CIRCLE event is also designed to equip operators to build resilient, future‑proof businesses amid accelerating sustainability legislation, rising resource scarcity and increasing pressures across the aggregates, construction, recycling and waste sectors.
The symposium will tackle other critical industry challenges such as resource availability, environmental impacts and the road to zero waste, while exploring cutting-edge solutions that redefine waste as a valuable resource.
CDE’s Eunan Kelly, director of business development and PFAS taskforce lead at CDE, says: “It is a critical time to address these industry challenges, and CIRCLE is giving the industry the opportunity to come together. This is a forum to equip people with the knowledge and tools to tackle major industry issues like PFAS contaminated soils. It’s an opportunity to learn peer‑to‑peer and to engage with the global leaders in wet processing. Our experience comes from real projects, delivering proven results while innovating beyond what was expected. That’s the knowledge and confidence we want to share with the industry at this event.”
Renowned environmental attorney Robert Bilott is set to headline at the symposium to talk on the urgent PFAS contamination challenge.
The speakers also include:
Marga Hoek, internationally acclaimed strategist and author
Vince Beiser, award-winning journalist
Viviane André, Policy Officer at the European Commission’s DG Environment
Stephanie Chuah, Programme Officer at UNEP and coauthor of the Sand & Sustainability report
Lorenzo Rodríguez Fernandez, Senior Economist at Experian
Dirk Fincke, Secretary General of Aggregates Europe
Arnold de Bruijn, Secretary General of the International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC)
Joining them, CDE experts and customers will share their journey and insights into the use of wet processing technology to address major challenges such as resource availability.
CIRCLE takes place on 7th May 2026 online. For registration and programme information, visit www.cdegroup.com/circle2026
