World's largest environment industry tradeshow to focus attention on waste management and recycling
More than 3,000 exhibitors from more than 50 countries, some 135,000 expected visitors and 230,000 square meters of exhibition space: Those are the key figures for IFAT 2016, which takes place at the Messe München trade-fair center from May 30 to June 3. IFAT also features a first-rate supporting program with technical lectures, country and theme specials, panel discussions and exhibitor presentations.
Country specials
The country specials at IFAT give visitors an outstanding overview of the various markets and their respective challenges. What moves the market there? How has the political climate changed, and what is the best way to respond? Messe München is collaborating with the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection (StMUV) to organize country specials on Canada, South Africa, China and Latin America North – Mexico. Germany's Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) will focus on the Croatian market, and a special being organized with the German Water Partnership (GWP) will give insights into the Turkish, Iranian and Indian markets. The GWP will also focus on the Vietnamese market and is collaborating with the Arab Countries Water Utilities Association (ACWUA) on the topic “Water solutions for sustainable development in the MENA region: Experiences and lessons.” The country special “South America—From Mining to Urban Mining” is being organized by Messe München in conjunction with the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi).
Waste management and recycling among key themes at IFAT 2016
Besides the country specials, lectures and discussions on the latest issues facing society and politics are also a permanent part of the fair. Among other things, the Federal Association of the German Waste Management Industry (BDE) is organizing specials on topics such as “Recycling-plant fires: Minimizing risks and damage,” “Recycling from the beginning: Commercial waste in practice,” and “The significance of thermal waste treatment in Germany: Waste incineration and the battle between ecology and economy.” Besides “Sponge City—Being prepared for flooding and drought—The water-sensible city,” the theme specials being organized by the BMUB include “EU Special: EU recycling economy package,” the “Reusable materials law,” the “Environmental Technology Export Initiative” and “Recycling phosphorous from sewage sludge: Where do we stand and where do we go from here?”
Among other things, the German Engineering Federation's lectures will focus on topics such as “Waste and recycling technology is conquering the global market” and “Reconstituted wood at a dead end in Germany.” The topic “Waste to Energy” will be examined in conjunction with the “Umweltcluster Bayern” (Environmental Cluster Bavaria).
The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is taking advantage of this year's IFAT to presents its “Sustainable Water Management” program. The International Water Association (IWA) is organizing a special titled “Water & Clean Tech: The innovations and technologies putting water and wastewater at the forefront of the Clean Tech agenda.”
As in the past, the forum program will be rounded out by special events and lectures in Hall B0. For the second time, the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA) is organizing the “Think Green—Think Future” initiative, which revolves around presentations about research, education and personnel development. Once again, this year's fair will also feature the Young Professionals Lounge, the Job Wall and a Speakers' Corner with technical lectures and plenary discussions.
In addition, the European Resources Conference, which is being held in conjunction with the StMUV and the German Association for Waste Management (DGAW) in Conference Room B11 from May 31 to June 1, is celebrating its premiere at this year's fair. It primarily revolves around the topic of resource efficiency.
Attending all of these events is free of charge. The lecture events will be simultaneously translated into German and English.
