At Progetto Fuoco 2026 debuts the AI Hub with startups, digital solutions and workshops to bring the wood-energy sector into the future
The event also features a packed programme of conferences dedicated to regulatory and market issues, as well as the European Pellet Forum, which is being held in Italy for the first time. Adolfo Rebughini, Director General of Veronafiere, said: «Progetto Fuoco is much more than just an exhibition: it has become a strategic platform of international importance for innovation across the entire sector».
From the AI Hub, a new format dedicated to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies for the wood-energy supply chain, to a comprehensive programme of conferences and discussions dedicated to the present and future of the sector, with a particular focus on regulatory, technological, market and sustainability issues. These are the new features of the latest edition of Progetto Fuoco, the most important international trade fair dedicated to biomass heating technologies, organised by Veronafiere, which returns from 25 to 28 February. The 2026 edition will also be enriched by an event of absolute importance, the European Pellet Forum, which is coming to Italy for the first time after editions in Austria, France and Poland, organised by AIEL – Italian Association of Agroforestry Energy, technical partner of Progetto Fuoco, in collaboration with the European Pellet Council and Bioenergy Europe.
«Progetto Fuoco is much more than just an exhibition showcase: it is now a strategic platform of international importance for innovation across the entire sector », says Adolfo Rebughini, General Manager of Veronafiere. « With the launch of the AI Hub, we want to send a clear message: the future of biomass heating inevitably lies in digitalisation and energy sustainability. Offering space to start-ups means investing in technologies capable of making the supply chain increasingly efficient and environmentally friendly, thus responding to the global challenges of ecological transition».
Progetto Fuoco: Hub AI
Created in collaboration with Clover Venture, a European Innovation Tech Company that simplifies access to innovation by integrating training, talent, start-ups and software to transform inefficiencies into technological opportunities, the AI Hub is a thematic area where selected start-ups will present cutting-edge solutions based on Artificial Intelligence to support renewable energy. The format will offer startups a programme of workshops over three days focusing on artificial intelligence, sustainable innovation and growth strategies, designed to provide concrete and immediately applicable tools. The programme includes advanced training on Vibe Coding, Prompt Engineering and Advanced Prompting for AI, Automation with AI and Intelligent Energy Management with AI for dynamic and predictive management of energy systems, as well as a focus on AI tools and methodologies for assessing environmental impacts, optimising the biomass supply chain and reducing waste. Finally, an introduction to Lovable, an artificial intelligence platform launched in 2023 that has become a benchmark for transforming ideas into digital solutions thanks to advanced technologies and a collaborative and intuitive environment. The startups present will also have the opportunity to showcase their technology in a pitch session in front of a qualified audience of experts, investors and industry stakeholders.
Regulations, technologies and the market: events organised by AIEL
AIEL – Associazione Italiana Energie Agroforestali (Italian Association of Agroforestry Energy), as technical partner of Progetto Fuoco, offers a comprehensive programme of meetings, conferences and discussions. The calendar opens on Wednesday 25 February with an event aimed at retailers, dedicated to pellet biofuel in the context of the opportunities offered by the incentives currently available. On Thursday 26 February, the institutional debate gets underway with an in-depth look at the actions of the National Air Plan in the energy sector, from the update of Ministerial Decree 186/2017 to the strengthening of control and information activities.
The highlight of Friday 27 February will be the European Pellet Forum, an annual event held for the first time in Italy, aimed at producers and traders of this important renewable energy commodity, with the aim of highlighting the latest trends, technologies and regulatory developments that are shaping the pellet sector. The theme of forests and the enhancement of women’s roles and skills will be the focus of a meeting entitled ‘Forests, feminine plural’. There will also be events discussing the safety and requirements of combustion product evacuation systems for biomass generators in collaboration with Anfus, Applia and CTI. The programme concludes on Saturday 28 February with a focus on the evolution of sustainability policies – EUDR, RED III and DM Sustainability – and a meeting dedicated to the end consumer, designed to illustrate the tools available to navigate the wood biomass domestic heating market.
Progetto Fuoco: an international stage
Progetto Fuoco, organised by Veronafiere, is the most important international event dedicated to biomass heating systems and represents the global benchmark for the entire wood-energy supply chain. The fair, which returns to the Verona exhibition centre from 25 to 28 February 2026, brings together hundreds of companies from all over the world and offers a complete overview of products ranging from the latest generation of stoves to designer fireplaces, from high-efficiency boilers to barbecues and wood-burning cookers, as well as components and accessories for systems. Progetto Fuoco will be attended by leading Italian and foreign companies representing the entire biomass heating supply chain. The updated list of exhibitors is available on the event website at this link.
