Above all, this means a rise of IFAT’s internationality. The highest growth came from (in this order): Japan, Russia, Australia, China and Slovenia. In total, 3,305 exhibitors from 58 countries presented their products and innovations for the booming environmental industry.
“IFAT presents the technologies of the future for clean environment; hence, it is driving the public discourse more actively than ever before. This was reflected in the visits of international politicians, the numerous delegations from all over the world and technology experts who came to share ideas, experiences and knowhow”, says Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of Messe München.
It is above all the consumers’ rising awareness and their demand for sustainability that make the industry boom. German Federal Environmental Minister Svenja Schulze said what many people around the globe are concerned about. “We need to use resources and recycle plastics and other materials more effectively and avoid plastic wastes being disposed of into the environment. It is to avoid unnecessary plastics”. Here, technologies have a key role. “The IFAT presents smart and innovative environmental technologies that are already part of a solution to many of our environmental challenges.”
Herwart Wilms, Managing Director of Remondis SE & CO KG was one of the industry representatives to appeal to the public. “Technologies are ready and on standby. To achieve a closed raw materials cycle the makers of products now need to significantly raise their recycling quotas for raw materials”, he said.
The next IFAT takes place from May 4 to 8, 2020.
