Conference time in Vienna at WDS 2022

Kurt van stappen, Tractebel senior manager, addresses demolition professionals at the WDS 2022. (Photo: KHL)

Delegates from countries including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and the USA joined visitors from across the host continent for the two-day event, which started with a networking drinks reception last night (Wednesday 16 November) and will conclude with the World Demolition Awards gala dinner this evening.

After a welcome on behalf of the European Demolition Association (EDA) by its president, Stefano Panseri, it fell to Tractebel senior manager Kurt van Stappen to start proceedings with a rousing presentation on how the demolition and recycling sector can meet the challenges of international projects.

Other presentations in the first session comprised Massimo Baraldi of the Ferraro Group describing how the company demolished and remediated Italy’s Porto Tolle power plant, while Shaun Coakley and Simon Gaynor of New Zealand’s Protranz Earthmoving took the audience through their company’s contribution to post-earthquake works on the iconic Christ Church Cathedral in the city of Christchurch.

Just as in previous years, the World Demolition Summit has attracted leading demolition professionals from around the world. (Photo: KHL)

The WDS is organised by Demolition & Recycling International (D&Ri) in partnership with the EDA and the US National Demolition Association.

The headline sponsor is Volvo Construction Equipment.

Dates and venue of the 2023 WDS will be announced after tonight’s awards dinner, with an early bird discount on delegate prices operating until 30 November.