IFAT 2022: “Clear vote for the largest environmental technology trade fair in the world”
10.05.2022Less waste, reuse of raw materials, clean water, climate-resilient cities – from May 30 to June 3, 2022, IFAT Munich will put technologies and solutions for an environmentally and climate-friendly future on display. It is the largest network for environmental technologies, connecting industry, politics, municipalities and science. Three questions on the show to Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of Messe München:
Following the forced break due to the coronavirus, IFAT Munich will be held again after four years. Is it still comparable to the 2018 show?
Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of Messe München
© Messe München
Stefan Rummel: Absolutely. The importance of environmental technologies as well as the demand is growing globally. At the same time, challenges such as supply bottlenecks and the consequences of the war in Ukraine are also a major issue in the environmental sector. Hence, the need for personal exchange and information is high. Around 2900 exhibitors will comprehensively represent all IFAT segments: Water, Sewage, Waste and Raw Materials Management. Among them almost 50 start-ups, more than ever before.
More than 50 countries will be present at the exhibition, with the top exhibiting countries being Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Turkey and France. The U.S. also will have a strong presence, and companies from Egypt to Singapore to Australia will be on board – this is a clear vote for the world's largest environmental technology trade fair.
IFAT Munich: around 2,900 exhibitors from more than 50 countries
© Messe München
There will also be an extensive supporting program. What are your highlights?
Stefan Rummel: Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke and Bavarian Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber will open the fair. Right afterwards, top personalities will discuss the question of how we create change with environmental technologies: among them founder Mikela Druckman (expert on AI in recycling as well as part of the WEF Global Future Council,) Sucheta Govil (Covestro Chief Commercial Officer of Covestro), Prof. Dr. Erich Zahn (co-author of the Club of Rome report “The Limits to Growth”) and Dr. Johannes Kirchhoff (board member of the Circular Economy Initiative of the Federation of German Industries).
The new, guided solution tours on 16 topics will deliver very specific knowledge. And then there will of course be the many special shows and specialist presentations, with topics ranging from the digital twin in water management to construction waste recycling and climate-neutral freight transport.
For the fair itself, you also claim sustainable implementation. What exactly are your measures here?
Stefan Rummel: We established a Code of Conduct to make IFAT more sustainable in a continuous process – and can build on an already very “green” infrastructure at Messe München. In terms of trade fair implementation, we then look at things such as the choice of materials, the handling of waste – and we also encourage our exhibitors and visitors to make their trade fair participation climate-friendly.
The GoGreen ticket, for example, is very well received as a means of offsetting the carbon footprint. During the opening, we will very prominently honor the most sustainable trade show appearance with the Sustainability Award. For example, we do not use carpets in the halls and thus achieve CO2 savings equivalent to 1000 short flights. And IFAT's exhibition management team subjects itself to an audit for climate-neutral trade fair implementation.
