For 60 years, IFAT Munich has been the global hub for environmental technologies, offering solutions to some of the most pressing challenges in the fields of recycling, water and circularity. It demonstrated this impressively once again in its anniversary year: With around 3,400 exhibitors from some 60 countries and some 142,000 visitors, the world’s leading trade fair set new standards and highlighted just how dynamically the circular economy is developing worldwide. Environmental technologies are no longer a niche topic, but a key driver for resource security, industrial competitiveness and climate protection.
“IFAT shows that we in Germany are capable of not only defending our position as a global leader in the circular economy, but even expanding it. After all, exhibitor numbers are now higher than they were before the coronavirus pandemic, so we work in a real industry of the future. That should encourage us all to look to the future with confidence and optimism.”
Thomas Conzendorf, member of the management board REMONDIS
Recycling, Services, Water
At the REMONDIS Group’s main stand in Hall A6, the focus was once again firmly on networking. Throughout the week, the stand attracted an interested audience of industry professionals who engaged in in-depth discussions with experts from all three business divisions: Recycling, Services and Water. In addition, a number of high-profile guests from the worlds of politics, business and science had announced their attendance. This promised plenty of fruitful discussions and new contacts.
IFAT Munich 2026 was decisively shaped by the geopolitical and economic significance of the circular economy. Therefore, the trade fair provided an important platform for dialogue between industry, politics and local authorities. This networking is essential for a holistic, functioning circular economy, particularly at a time when Europe needs to reduce its dependence on resources and ensure that recyclable materials are recycled more consistently. The focus of discussion was on the efficient use of resources, closed material cycles, and reduced dependence on primary raw materials.
Main stand in Hall A6: As always, very well attended and a meeting point for visitors to find out more about the REMONDIS Group’s three business fields – Recycling, Services and Water
Dialogue between politics and industry
Among those welcomed were Carsten Schneider (Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety), Jessika Roswall (EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy), Oliver Krischer (Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia), as well as the members of German parliament Florian Bilic and Dunja Kreiser. Discussions with them showed that policymakers are ready to play an active role in shaping the circular economy. What is now needed are reliable framework conditions so that the sector can realise its full potential.
Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider in conversation with Norbert Rethmann, Honorary Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Herwart Wilms (FEAD President), EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall and Thorsten Feldt (Vice-President of the BDE)
Florian Bilic, member of German parliament (second from right), was shown the SDG pillars, the “gateway” to the REMONDIS main stand
Oliver Krischer, Minister for the Environment of North Rhine-Westphalia (front right), was welcomed by a number of representatives
Leading environmental and technology trade fair: See you again in 2028
The circular economy is a key driver for strengthening Europe’s independence, resilience and competitiveness. As the leading environmental and technology trade fair, IFAT provided the ideal platform for discussing both the challenges and solutions at the intersection of politics, industry and innovation. Our thanks go to all our discussion partners for an intensive exchange, which we hope can be further deepened in the future so that we can work together on the sector’s future viability.
And, of course, the next trade fair date is already set: IFAT will be opening its doors again in Munich from 29 May to 1 June 2028!
Image credits: © REMONDIS
