UABIO at the IFAT 2026 exhibition in Germany
Anna Pastukh, a representative of the Bioenergy Association of Ukraine, took part in the major IFAT 2026 exhibition, which was held May 4–7, 2026, in Munich.
The world’s leading trade fair attracted approximately 142,000 visitors from nearly 160 countries and regions. The event featured 3,400 exhibitors from around 60 countries and regions. IFAT 2026 confirms that environmental technologies are becoming one of the key sectors of the global economy.
“IFAT 2026 is more than just an exhibition — it is a global meeting point for innovation, sustainability, and the future of environmental technologies. It was inspiring to meet people and companies from all over the world, exchange ideas, and see how modern solutions in bioenergy, waste management, and circular economy are shaping the future today. I truly hope to see even more Ukrainian companies join IFAT in the future and represent Ukrainian expertise on the global stage”, — notes legal expert Anna Pastukh.
The trip was made possible by the KVP Project between UABIO and GBA — study trips and the exchange of experiences are an important part of the project.
About the exhibition
For 60 years, IFAT Munich has been inspiring the world with environmental innovations. At the same time, the strategic role of environmental technologies has reached an entirely new level today. Against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and logistics crises, environmental technologies are becoming the key to stability, independence, and sustainable development.
IFAT 2026 focused primarily on the efficient use of resources, closed material cycles, and reduced dependence on primary raw materials. The resilience of pipelines and water systems is also one of the major challenges of our time. What’s needed, on the one hand, is effective protection against targeted attacks on the infrastructure, such as physical sabotage or cyber attacks, but also resilient solutions in view of heavy rain, flooding, extreme heat, and water shortage.
Despite the current energy crisis and geopolitical conflicts, the international share of exhibitors and visitors remains consistently high at over 50 percent. The top three exhibiting countries in 2026 after Germany were Italy, China, and the Netherlands.
“The record participation at IFAT Munich 2026 clearly demonstrates that the circular economy and water management are of systemic importance and represent the next global key industry. This makes IFAT Munich all the more important as a platform. It enables crucial knowledge transfer and provides the industry with the visibility it needs to engage in dialogue with policymakers and help set the right course for the future”, — sums up the CEO of Messe München.
In addition to German state ministers and international ministerial delegations, the EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, Jessika Roswall visited in 2026 to see the forward-looking solutions for water, recycling, and circularity for herself. At the trade fair, Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider stressed that environmental technologies were essential for sovereignty, security, and prosperity.
The next IFAT Munich will be held at the exhibition center in Munich from May 29 to June 1, 2028.