WTERT at IFAT Munich

With around 142,000 visitors from almost 170 countries and regions, the World's Leading Trade Fair for Environmental Technologies reflects the global growth of the industry

WtERT - Germany

17 May 2024: IFAT World's Leading Trade Fair for Environmental Technologies
With around 142,000 visitors from almost 170 countries and regions, the World's Leading Trade Fair for Environmental Technologies reflects the global growth of the industry According to press release of the trade fair, the proportion of international visitors was over 50 percent. Of the 3,211 exhibitors, 55 per cent came from abroad. Companies from a total of 61 countries and regions took part. With 300,000 square meters of exhibition space, this year's IFAT Munich was also the largest ever. Stefan Rummel, Managing Director of IFAT, says: "The challenges of our time, such as the climate crisis or the shortage of raw materials, can only be solved with technology. Whether it's the transformation of municipalities towards more climate resilience or industry towards a more circular economy: IFAT Munich is the event where we see solutions for our future."

The presentation highlights the Association's main objectives, including promoting the biogas sector through legal frameworks, technical standards, information exchange, and political advocacy at various levels. With 4700 members from diverse backgrounds, the Association emphasizes the importance of collaboration and international outreach.

14 May 2024, CEWEP European Session at IFAT Munich
CEWEP’s European Session brought together Waste-to-Energy experts from across Europe to discuss the sector’s current state of play and future developments.
Speakers for the panel discussion included Alexander Kirchner (Wien Energie), Jan Krišpín (EVECO Brno), Roger Kremers (AVR), Jakub Bator (WtE plant Krakow) and Amalia Cerdá Lacaci (AEVERSU).

As a special guest, Werner Bauer VP GWC had the possibility to bring in information about the WtERT Campaign "Waste Management’s Response to Climate Change”
The presentation on the links between waste management and climate protection went well with Dr Ella Stengler's report on the current landfill situation in Europe.
"9/27 EU member states landfill more than 50% of their municipal solid waste. And it is important to know, that targets are set only for municipal waste."
Source: Slide by Dr. Ella Stengler, CEWE -    higher acceptance of recycling,
-    expansion of energy-related recycling (WtE) and
-    a contribution to decarbonization, as energy recovery replaces fossil fuels.

The campaign questions why the EU is violating its own waste hierarchy by preventing the expansion of "waste incineration" in many measures (EU taxonomy, etc.) and instead allowing the expansion of landfilling (2035 > 2040).
The campaign Waste Management‘s Response to Climate Change provides a clear impetus for growth and jobs in the circular economy. It aims to create a clear framework for investment by putting an end to cheap landfilling in the EU and banning illegal exports.
Simply communicating the science on the causes of methane emissions and their impact on the climate is changing the world's awareness. A world where around 70% of waste is still landfilled or dumped illegally and where there is pent-up demand to consume.