IFAT 2002: Exhibitor Numbers Set New Record
IFAT 2002 is poised to set another new record in exhibitor numbers: over 2,040 exhibitors from 40 countries will be attending this year´s event (for comparison, at the 1999 fair in Munich, the figure was 2,021 exhibitors from 33 countries). One quarter of the exhibiting companies (25 percent) comes from abroad.
Which means that this year´s IFAT will be more international in scope than ever before (in 1999 exhibitors from abroad accounted for 22.6 percent of the total). Presented at this world fair for the environment, waste water, waste disposal and recycling, held in Munich from 13 to 17 May 2002, will be a wide range of sector-specific systems and all the latest technology for cost-effective, practical solutions in the environmental sector. Plus a wide range of professional services in the field of water, sewage and waste water management.
This extensive display at the trade fair is enhanced by an attractive programme of accompanying events, with many lectures on current themes. A new and innovative section of this programme is devoted to exhibitors presentations.
Despite a generally difficult economic background and a squeeze on the public purse, IFAT 2002 is going from strength to strength. Of the 2,040 exhibitors registered so far, 25 percent come from abroad. This figure means that IFAT in Munich can further expand its successful position as the leading trade-fair event for the environmental sector. In addition to the wide range of information at the fair available at the exhibitors stands, the fair also features a packed programme of accompanying events.
The 12th European Water, Sewage and Solid Waste Symposium (Hall C1) is to be held at IFAT, from 13 to 15 May 2002. Its motto is 'New methods in water, sewage and solid waste management':
- At this symposium the European Water Association (EWA) and the German Association for Water, Sewage and Solid Waste Management (Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall - ATV-DVWK) will be presenting a series of lectures and workshops on topical themes such as membrane technology for drinking water and sewage, TV inspection techniques to increase efficiency in operation and maintenance of sewage pipes, finance, fees and cost-reduction potential. Additional themes are Central and Eastern European integration and a developing-countries workshops on the subject of closed cycle concepts in local-authority waste management, which is an increasingly important topic for the future (www.atv.de).
- Also at the 12th European Water, Sewage and Solid Waste Symposium, the Municipal Waste Disposal and Cleaning Association (Verband Kommunale Abfallwirtschaft und Stadtreinigung e.V. - VKS) and the ISWA - International Solid Waste Association - will be holding lectures on current themes in waste incineration in Europe, the future of waste management and waste deposition, the logistics of waste disposal and a VKS Forum on street cleansing and winter road services (www.vks-koeln.de/).
Included in the fees for participation in the 12th European Water, Sewage and Solid Waste Symposium is free entry to the trade fair.
All visitors to the fair have the opportunity of taking part in the lectures, workshops and product presentations put on in the IFAT Forums (Hall A3) by exhibiting companies and trade associations. For example, the German Ministry of Education and Research is holding two workshops on 'export-oriented research and education programmes' and on 'international projects sponsored by the ministry'; the focus here will be on projects underway in Asia, Eastern Europe and South America.
Also presented and discussed at the IFAT Forums will be the themes of biomass, waste water treatment, ultrafiltration, measurement technology, humification of sludge, compulsory deposit schemes, packaging regulations, drinking water regulations and logistics solutions. The events in the conference programme take place in halls C1 and A3, right in the midst of the action at the trade fair. The advantages of this physical proximity are obvious: events, meetings and conferences can be planned and utilised as an active part of a visit to the fair.
Also at IFAT, on the open-air site at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre, is an added attraction: at the initiative of the Industry Association for Working Machinery and Local-Authority Vehicles (Verband der Arbeitsgeräte- und Kommunalfahrzeug-Industrie e.V. - VAK), there will be a demonstration of their members´ machinery and equipment in action. The display includes commentated demonstrations of new products from the leading equipment manufacturers, with particular attention to technological improvements and increased efficiency in the individual vehicle types.
IFAT 2002
May 13 - 17, 2002
New Munich Trade Fair Centre
Munich / Germany
Source: Messe München GmbH