In just two weeks, SMAGUA 2025 will open its doors at Feria de Zaragoza, celebrating its 50th anniversary as a key international meeting point for the water, irrigation, and environmental sectors. This year, the event once again focuses on innovation, sustainability, and the promotion of technical knowledge as its fundamental pillars.

From March 4 to 6, its 27th edition will begin, backed once again by the strong support of leading institutions, associations, and companies in the sector. With more than 600 brands from 29 countries already confirmed, the exhibition will be complemented by a comprehensive program of activities, presentations, and technical workshops designed to foster knowledge exchange and the development of the sector.

The SMAGUA 2025 technical workshop program will take place at the Feria de Zaragoza Congress Center and will begin on Tuesday, March 4, with various sessions dedicated to the sector's regulatory challenges, the modernization of irrigation systems, and sewage sludge management.

The first day will feature a session entitled "Regulatory Challenges in the Integrated Water Cycle Sector," organized by IAA, ZINNAE, and AGA-AEAS, in the Auditorium of the Zaragoza Trade Fair Center. This session will address the most relevant regulations and standards affecting the water sector, providing a comprehensive overview of current and future challenges. Simultaneously, in Room 1 of the Conference Center, Enrique Cabrera, Professor Emeritus of Fluid Mechanics at the Polytechnic University of Valencia, will present his book, "Guidelines on Asset Management in Water Companies."

At the same time, Room 3 will host the session "Modernization and Management of Irrigation Systems," coordinated by AERYD, which will analyze the latest innovations in water efficiency and the impact of digitalization on agricultural irrigation. In Room 4, ATEGRUS will lead the session "Sewage Sludge Management and its Energy Recovery," focused on new technologies for waste treatment in the water sector.

Wednesday, March 5, will be dedicated to efficiency in water management. The session "Contribution of River Basin Authorities to Social Progress in Spain from a Basin Unit Perspective," presented by the Ebro River Basin Authority, will take place in the Auditorium of the Congress Center. Simultaneously, in Room 1, a session organized by IBSTT and ATEGRUS entitled "Trenchless Technology: A Guarantee for the Sustainable Transition" will be held; and in Room 3, TECNOAQUA and AEAS-AGA will lead a "Workshop on Non-Renewable Water and Water Losses" in the morning, and in the afternoon, the Water Club and the College of Civil Engineers will give a presentation on new challenges in a context of global change.

Thursday, March 6th, will focus on sustainability and the future of the water sector. The day will begin in the Auditorium with the Irrigation User Day, organized by FEREBRO, featuring a presentation entitled “FEREBRO’s Position on the Fourth Cycle Hydrological Plans.” Simultaneously, AESOE will offer a session on portable sanitation and water conservation in Room 1. Meanwhile, in Rooms 2, 3, and 4, presentations will be given by CEOE, ADECAGUA, and AEAS-AGA, respectively, on environmental commissions, new pollutants and their challenges in water treatment, and drought. At the SMAGUA Forum, the session “Protection of Groundwater against Point Source Pollution: Experience and Application,” organized by ASEGRE, is a highlight, featuring presentations by representatives from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, the Government of Aragon, and the Ebro River Basin Authority, among others.

In addition to the technical sessions at the Congress Center, Hall 9 will be set up as a multidisciplinary space hosting activities at the SMAGUA Forum and the Presentations Area.

The SMAGUA Forum will address the main challenges currently facing the water industry, such as infrastructure maintenance, aquifer recharge, and training. Innovations in water recycling, contaminant detection, and frost control in crops will also be presented, along with technological solutions for early rainfall warnings and groundwater protection. There will also be discussions on the future of irrigation and water sustainability.

The Presentations Area, also located in Hall 9, will feature various trade exhibitions by exhibiting companies throughout the three days of the event, allowing visitors to discover the latest trends and innovations in the water sector.

SPAPER Technical Sessions and Activities

SPAPER, which runs concurrently with SMAGUA, will also feature technical sessions focused on the challenges and advancements in the paper industry. The first day The event will feature the session “3 Paper Industry Challenges for 2025: People, AI, and EU Regulations,” a collaborative effort between KPMG, SAICA, Vicomtech, ASPAPEL, Repacar, El Papel, and the Basque Country Paper Cluster. The second day will see the 6th Technical Paper Forum of the Basque Country Paper Cluster, showcasing success stories in technology, diversification, and process improvement. Key issues such as the sustainable use of resources, industry trends, and solutions for impurity formation will also be addressed, fostering knowledge sharing and innovation.

Internationalization at SMAGUA

SMAGUA 2025 will have a strong international presence through various initiatives that promote business cooperation and market expansion. On March 4th and 5th, a brokerage event organized by CEOE Aragón and ITA, in collaboration with Feria de Zaragoza and the European Commission, will be held within the framework of the Enterprise Europe Network. With the participation of 73 companies from 14 countries, this event will facilitate the search for commercial and technological partners in the water, irrigation, and environmental sectors, fostering the internationalization of SMEs and strengthening the global business network.

Furthermore, on March 5 and 6, Feria de Zaragoza will host trade missions with 35 representatives from countries such as Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Morocco, Paraguay, Tunisia, and Uruguay. These meetings will offer exhibiting companies the opportunity to expand their international reach, establish strategic alliances, and explore new business opportunities.

With these initiatives, SMAGUA reaffirms its role as a key meeting point for innovation, internationalization, and growth in the global water sector.