Ifat 2008, the 15th International Trade Fair for Water – Sewage – Refuse – Recycling...

In comparison to the last IFAT, the number of exhibitors at IFAT 2008 has risen to 2,575. That’s over 350 more exhibitors, a rise of almost 16 percent on last time. The space booked has also increased, by 22,000 square metres to a total of 192,000 square metres.

“This makes IFAT 2008 not only the biggest IFAT so far, but also the biggest and most important environmental trade fair worldwide,” said Eugen Egetenmeir, Deputy Managing Director of Messe München GmbH.

Dr Johannes F. Kirchhoff, Chairman of the IFAT Advisory Board, sees the global context as critical in mastering urgent environmental problems: “Sustainable action for the benefit of our environment is what is called for now and in future, in order to secure the peaceful continuation of human life on this planet. At IFAT 2008 the manufacturers of products and processes, the planners, service-providers, operators and financers of the supply and disposal industry, which is so important for our environment, will be presenting their innovative products and concepts. The best in the exhibiting segments will be meeting up in Munich. IFAT will be well worth a visit.”

It is also very pleasing that IFAT has not only increased the number of exhibitors from Germany, but also from abroad. Foreign exhibitors at IFAT 2008 number 838 (up from 653 in 2005). This represents a leap of 28 percent. Although Germany is a leading supplier of environmental technology, companies from other countries are now for the first time making up around one third of the total of exhibitors.

This strong international orientation is also reflected in the conference programme at IFAT, which features not only trade lectures and symposia, but also country specials on Spain, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, the Arab regions, Saudi Arabia, India, China and Japan.