A larger exhibition area, a growing number of companies and a program dedicated to the major transformations of the sector. Asphaltica, the international exhibition of the road supply chain, organized by BolognaFiere in collaboration with SITEB - the Italian Roads and Bitumen Association which represents the entire road supply chain, from asphalt producers to those of machines and systems, to road safety (signs and barriers), to smart roads -, returns from 7 to 10 October 2026 with a rapidly growing edition.
The event will bring together 140 exhibitors, of which 18 from 7 countries, recording an increase of 18% compared to 2024. Over 8,000 operators are expected from all over Europe, while the net exhibition area will reach 9,800 square metres, compared to 7,300 in the previous edition. Delegations of foreign operators will also contribute to strengthening the international profile of the Show.
"Asphaltica is the main national event and one of the most important in Europe for road traffic operators. We are ready to start with a new edition that has all the prerequisites to reconfirm the primacy of the event. In these four days BolognaFiere will become the place chosen by manufacturers of machines, systems, materials and solutions to meet those who design, build and manage infrastructures. A fundamental opportunity to discuss the evolution of the sector and the technologies that can make our roads more efficient, sustainable and safe", declares Raul Barbieri, director of Asphaltica.
"The road construction and maintenance chain is experiencing a phase of strong evolution: more sustainable materials and technologies, recycling, digitalisation, waterproofing and consolidation systems, monitoring and new regulations and innovative solutions are changing the way of designing and building road infrastructures. To accompany this transformation, however, stable planning of interventions, clear rules and an increasingly close dialogue between institutions and operators are needed. Asphaltica offers a concrete opportunity to systematise these skills and give visibility to an industrial sector which has a decisive role in the future development of our Country”, the words of Stefano Ravaioli, General Director of SITEB.
Sector numbers that confirm Asphaltica's role as a reference event for a supply chain called to face a strategic challenge for the country: managing and maintaining over 800,000 kilometers of road infrastructure in efficiency, guaranteeing continuity of interventions, safety and the ability to prevent degradation. In this scenario, data, artificial intelligence, digital monitoring and new standards can help make the network more efficient, secure and resilient. The transformation passes from precise knowledge of the state of the infrastructures and the possibility of intervening before critical issues become emergencies.
The 2026 edition will take place in the new Pavilion 37 of BolognaFiere, one of the most technologically advanced pavilions in the exhibition centre, and will offer an integrated interpretation of the entire supply chain, connecting manufacturers of machines, systems, materials and solutions with designers, companies, infrastructure managers, public administrations, universities and research centres.
A distinctive feature of Asphaltica is also the broad representation of the different sectors: among the protagonists of the oil sector there will be ENI, Italiana Petroli – IP, among the machine manufacturers Wirtgen Group, Ammann, Marini, Bomag, Dynapac, CGT – CAT, CAMS, Bernardi Impianti, up to additives with Mapei and Iterchimica, the world of road safety with Cancellotti, Traffic Lab and Cartelli Segnalatori, up to the design with SINA.
These industrial presences are accompanied by the technical and scientific presence with PIARC, the World Road Association.
The exhibition offer will include bituminous conglomerates, materials, additives, polymers, recycling technologies and new formulations, together with machines and systems for production, installation, compaction, control, monitoring and maintenance. Ample space will also be reserved for safety, signs, barriers, protective devices, lighting engineering, engineering and rental services, research, training and regulatory updating.
During the four days of the event, 40 conferences and workshops will be scheduled, with insights dedicated to technological innovations, regulatory evolution, sustainability and infrastructure safety.
A central role will be played by the three Agoras signed by SITEB which will compare institutions, companies, managers, universities and the world of research on the main transformation themes of the sector. On 7 October, with the "General States of Road Construction" which includes the introductory intervention of the Riparte L'Italia Observatory, we will talk about investments, maintenance and innovation, with the strategic perspectives of the sector; the talk "The applicability of the LCA method to bituminous conglomerates" will be held on the same day; on 8 October it will be the turn of "From the traditional road to the Smart Road", dedicated to the future of road safety and connectivity; on 9 October the focus will be on "Sustainability and ESG in road construction", between finance, sustainable construction sites, human capital and governance. The program is completed by the "CAM Roads Operational Course" on 10 October, organized by SITEB with the release of training credits.
The internationalization of the event also passes through the presence of EAPA, the European association of asphalt operators which for the first time at Asphaltica is organizing its own autumn Technical Committee. The event is scheduled for the first two days of the fair, in the presence of technicians and experts from all over Europe and will deal with topics relating to the future of the industry such as: sustainability, digitalisation, health and safety.
Among the novelties of Asphaltica 2026, the Sustainable Construction Site, the initiative presented by InFrastrade, will bring the entire road redevelopment cycle live. In a demonstration area with latest generation machines, the public will be able to follow the different phases of the intervention, from the stabilization and compaction of the base to the laying of bituminous conglomerate with a high milled content. Mobile laboratories, low-emission technologies and maintenance solutions will complete the demonstration, showing the concrete application of the principles of the circular economy and CAM Roads, the Minimum Environmental Criteria for road infrastructures.
A cultural mention will not be missing: ANAS, in anticipation of the anniversary of its first 80 years (it was founded in 1946, taking over from AASS in 1928), will set up an exhibition of vintage machines and equipment that will certainly arouse the curiosity and stimulate visitors.
Among those present at the event, there will also be Assosegnaletica which will present a preview of the new "Manual for light signals", created with the patronage of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport. The workshop will delve into criteria and good practices for the choice, design, installation and maintenance of light signaling devices.
Asphaltica's guest will also be Ragazzi On The Road, the educational project created in 2007 to raise awareness among the new generations on the issues of legality, road safety and prevention. Some young people will have a direct experience alongside security and rescue operators, becoming active witnesses among their peers of the value of rules, responsibility and the protection of life.
The development path of the event will continue next year with Asphaltica World, scheduled for 20 and 21 October 2027 at the Salone delle Fontane in Rome. After the experience in 2025 in Bari, Asphaltica will present itself in its exhibition-conference formula with a special event dedicated to the great challenges of the sector and the comparison with the political and institutional world. The choice of Rome responds to the desire to strengthen the dialogue between industry and institutions, consolidating the event's role as a leader on the European scene.
In 2028, Asphaltica will return to Bologna in its complete formula as an international trade fair.
