Home
News
IFAT Munich 2026: dialogue and cooperation at the BDE joint stand

IFAT Munich 2026: dialogue and cooperation at the BDE joint stand

The IFAT Munich 2026 provided a central platform for Partnering in Business with Germany (PG) to foster international business initiation in the circular economy, the water management industry and the environmental sector in a targeted manner. The focus of the participation in the trade fair was on the involvement of international PG delegations and the direct exchange with German companies at the joint stand of the Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Circular Economy Management Industry (BDE).

Drei Personen im Gespräch an einem Messestand

28.05.2026

In the context of the programme to promote foreign trade and investment, German implementing partners accompanied business executives from Mexico, Chile, Egypt and Vietnam to the trade fair in Munich. The visit to the IFAT was a central element: the trade fair offered the possibility for the delegations to meet with representatives of German companies, see for themselves current trends of the sector and establish contacts with possible business partners in a targeted way. In 2026, the programme includes six international groups with a focus on the circular economy and the waste management sector – three of these groups used the IFAT as an international networking and cooperation platform.

The presence of the delegations mirrored the growing international demand for German environmental technologies. Especially in dynamically growing cities and industrial regions, the need for solutions for resource efficiency, modern waste management and resilient water supply is increasing. In light of its technological strength and ability to innovate, Germany is regarded as the central partner for the establishment of sustainable infrastructures.

For the delegations, the IFAT also provided insights into current technologies and possibilities for direct exchange with German business representatives and market players. The strategic relevance of the circular economy within the programme is thus growing. The trade fair provided an ideal platform to promote knowledge transfer, technological partnerships and international business initiation.

28.05.2026

Gemeinsamer Messestand des Programms "Partnering in Business with Germany" und der BDE

Pitch & Networking Event brings German companies and international delegations together

A special focus was on the Pitch & Networking Event at the BDE joint stand on 5 May. The participating delegations, their target markets and the specific potential for cooperation were presented at the event. German companies and business organisations gained direct insights into the respective markets and engaged in a direct dialogue with international decision-makers. The format thus offered a concrete framework for initial project ideas, business contacts and long-term partnerships.

During the Pitch & Networking Event, Mr Jens Loschwitz, Managing Director of the BDE, also underlined the importance of robust international partnerships, especially in forward-looking sectors, including the circular economy and the water industry. He said:

“The circular economy and the water industry are systemically important and the next global key enabling industries. German companies are key players for these sectors, in particular regarding forward-looking technologies. Especially in the fields of environmental technologies and the circular economy, we see enormous demand around the world for solutions ‘Made in Germany”. At the same time, access to markets is becoming more complex. Robust partnerships are therefore all the more important. Projects are increasingly being developed together rather than by individual companies. It is good that programmes like Partnering in Business with Germany help entrepreneurs not only to establish contacts, but also to find the right partners in a targeted manner.”

Gruppe von Personen steht an einem Messestand und lässt sich ein technisches Modell erläutern

Participating in the trade fair as a platform for international business initiation

The participation in the trade fair made clear how the work with the international business delegations is closely linked with specific business initiation. The IFAT offered not only insights into expertise, but also a direct platform for personal talks, networking and the establishment of robust partnerships between German enterprises and international markets.

As one of the exhibitors at the BDE main stand, Partnering in Business with Germany was part of one of the most important networking platforms of the German circular economy. The participation in the IFAT is an example of how international business cooperation can be lastingly fostered through the combination of trade fair presence, networking formats and targeted work with delegations.