IFAT 2026 in Munich, Germany

IFAT 2026 — the world’s leading trade fair for water, wastewater, waste, and circular economy.

Condensed to four days: higher density of meetings and demonstrations.

History of IFAT: From Wastewater Treatment to Green Infrastructure

The first event took place in 1966. Over 60 years, IFAT 2026 has become an industry benchmark, setting trends in sustainable technologies for cities and industries.

2024 Results: 142,000 visitors from nearly 170 countries and 3,211 exhibitors from 61 countries, occupying all 18 halls and open-air zones.

Video: Experience the Atmosphere of IFAT

A short video from the pavilions and demo zones captures the scale and pace of negotiations.

About the IFAT 2026 Event: What to Expect at the Venue

Sections: water supply and sewage, treatment and monitoring, plastics and metals recycling, composting and biogas, energy efficiency, and digital solutions.

Program: themed stages and forums, Spotlight Areas on battery and plastic recycling, digital water, and hydrogen, plus targeted solution tours.

Brand network: IFAT Munich — the flagship of a global series (IE expo China, IFAT India, and more).

Advantages of IFAT 2026: Numbers That Drive Sales

• Messe München: 18 halls and approximately 200,000 m² indoors, plus 414,000 m² of open spaces for large equipment.
• 2024 Results: 142,000 visitors and 3,211 exhibitors — a rare concentration of decision-makers from municipal and industrial sectors.
• 2026 Format — 4 days, Monday–Thursday: fewer “empty hours,” more focused negotiations.
• Strong specialized themes: batteries, plastics, digital water, climate resilience, hydrogen.

Six Companies at IFAT Worth Visiting

• Xylem. Pumps, aeration, analytics, and digital platforms. Showcasing “smart water” case studies and energy savings in treatment.
• Wilo. Pumping systems and automation for water and wastewater. Booth features station modernization plans and ROI models.
• TOMRA. Sensor-based sorting for plastics and metals. Brings demo lines with high-purity fractions for food-grade recycling.
• HUBER SE. Solutions for mechanical treatment, dewatering, and sludge disposal. Shares installations operating at EU sites.
• ACO. Drainage and local surface water treatment. At IFAT 2026 — engineering solutions for protecting water bodies and urban spaces.
• AERZEN. Blowers and compressors for aeration. Conducts energy efficiency comparisons and hybrid control schemes.

Product and Service Categories at IFAT 2026

• Water and wastewater: pumps, membranes, UV/ozone, sensors, SCADA, digital twins.
• Recycling and secondary raw materials: sorting, washing, agglomeration, composting, biogas, presses.
• Infrastructure: stormwater drainage, hydraulics, flood protection, bank reinforcement.
• Energy efficiency: heat recovery from wastewater, renewable energy integration, station energy management.
• Services: engineering, laboratories, service contracts, staff training.

Recommendations for Visitors

• Prepare a brief: facilities, flow rates, regulations, energy and quality KPIs — get relevant solutions on-site.
• Plan your route through stages and Spotlight Areas to avoid missing key demos.
• Schedule meetings via the exhibitor catalog — anchor booths fill up their schedules in advance.
• Logistics: U2 Messestadt West/East, account for transitions between 18 halls and open-air areas.
• Last hour of the day — the best time to finalize commercial terms without queues.

How to Participate in IFAT 2026 as an Exhibitor

Steps: application, pavilion and space selection, technical services (electricity, water, internet, suspensions), sample logistics, demo scenarios, lead processing.

Need a stress-free booth? ESBAU will design and build a suitable exhibition stand, handling production, installation, and on-site support.

Have a design but tight deadlines? ESBAU delivers turnkey projects or offers booth rental with fast brand adaptation.

Piloting market entry? A modular booth from ESBAU with furniture and media zones — a quick start at IFAT 2026 with a transparent budget.