The “Fil Rouge” of Maritima settled in La Halle de Martigues on Thursday for the 11th edition of Enviro Pro. For its first time in the Southeast, this professional trade show brings together 200 exhibitors offering concrete solutions for energy and environmental transition. From revolutionary draining concrete, solar autonomy, to post-disaster interventions, discovery of a thriving ecosystem.
The atmosphere is full of lively exchanges under the Halle. Far from being a “boring” technical meeting, Enviro Pro stands out as a real toolbox for local authorities and businesses in the area. Laurent Minut from the organizing company Nextfair explains why Martigues was chosen: “We are in the middle of a heavily industrial and petrochemical basin, just steps away from the coast with its water pollution issues. Martigues is an ideal crossroad, close to Marseille, Montpellier, and Aix.” Between 3,000 and 4,000 professional visitors are expected over two days.
Irisolaris: “Guarantee a fixed electricity price for 20 or 30 years” Among the local players shining nationally, Irisolaris, based in Rousset, attracts attention. Specializing in solar energy for agriculture, industry, and local government, it offers a direct response to the soaring energy costs. “Today, the market is favored by professionals for self-consumption,” explains David Hortault. “We guarantee a fixed electricity price for 20, even 30 years. It’s a rare budget stability.” Innovation also includes storage: thanks to the hybridization of power plants with batteries, companies can consume their own production even without sunlight, reducing their bill to zero in these areas.
EMTS: from Saint-Victoret to the Port of Beirut Another local gem present at the trade show: EMTS Environment. Born in Saint-Victoret in 1995, this company is now a global reference for post-disaster interventions. Thomas Vialettes and Laurie Nicolaides reflect on their recent challenges: “Our engineers can be deployed anywhere. We intervened in the explosion at the Port of Beirut, but also more recently during floods in Valencia, Spain,” explains Thomas. In Valencia, the challenge was huge: reopening a shopping center and two supermarkets before Christmas. “We succeeded in this challenge in four weeks with 600 commissioned people. It’s a huge job of industrial cleaning and waste treatment, with a very human touch,” adds Laurie.
Heidelberg Materials: the concrete that “drinks” water and fights heat The construction sector is not left out. The team from Heidelberg Materials (a German company that has a plant in Martigues) presents impressive draining concrete. Before the eyes of visitors, a showerhead pours water onto a concrete block: the liquid instantly passes through to be recovered underneath. “The idea is to restore the natural water cycle,” details Gilles Poggioli, sales manager. “We can drain between 200 and 250 liters of water per minute per square meter. This is 150 to 200 times greater than the region’s biggest storms.” This material also finds its place in school yards to eliminate heat islands through light colors, or on bike paths.
Finally, the company presents a world innovation in Martigues: “The world’s first cement with an environmental footprint close to zero,” emphasizes Romain Galmiche, commercial director. A solution that allows for “decarbonization at all levels”, from major construction sites to individual needs.
Practical information: – What: Enviro Pro Trade Show – Where: La Halle de Martigues – When: the trade show will also be open on Thursday, April 2 – Audience: professionals, businesses, and local authorities.
