The leading environmental technology trade fair IFAT 2024 - a successful trade fair event for exhibitors from Rhineland-Palatinate
IFAT 2024, which took place from May 13 to 17 at the Munich Exhibition Center, ended with a top turnout: Around 142,000 visitors from almost 170 countries and regions came to the world's leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management. According to Messe München, this corresponds to the 2018 level and the proportion of international visitors was over 50 percent, which is higher than ever before. With 300,000 square meters of exhibition space, this year's IFAT was the largest ever.
How the world can adapt to climate change and actively protect the environment, for example by achieving international climate protection targets, were the predominant issues at IFAT this year. The circular economy plays a key role here, as it effectively means that fewer (primary) raw materials need to be used. Once again, however, the trade fair was able to skillfully combine relevant topics and issues relating to the water and circular economy. A total of 46 exhibitors from Rhineland-Palatinate presented technological solutions that support municipalities and businesses on the path to better climate resilience. Water, energy, environment and climate were among the most important topics at the stands of the water and wastewater industry and the circular economy.
The joint water/wastewater stand of the states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse was very popular. Start-up companies were also represented for the first time, including Ecoliance member Sustainable Water Infrastructure Solutions GmbH with digital solutions for the water industry.
Dr. Wolfgang Eberle, Head of the Circular Economy Department at MKUEM Rhineland-Palatinate, not only opened the state evening on 16 May, but also visited Ecoliance members Zahnen Technik GmbH, Hydro-Ingenieure Energie & Wasser GmbH, Süd-Müll GmbH & Co.KG and Hahn Kunststoffe GmbH. The visit to FZ-Recycling GmbH & Co KG from Niederzissen was impressive. Mobile EPS recycling plants can save 1.6 tons of CO2 per ton of EPS and minimize transport routes, explained Managing Director Dr. Frank Ziebeil. The innovative methods of phosphorus precipitation from Schäfer Kalk GmbH & Co. KG, which presented itself at the joint stand, were also interesting.
The next IFAT will take place from May 4 to 8, 2026 at the exhibition grounds in Munich. All Rhineland-Palatinate exhibitors at the joint Rhineland-Palatinate - Hesse stand would like to see the support of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate (MKUEM) and the cooperation with SCM Messe-Event-Marketing GmbH continue.