EXI at IFAT 2026: Ministerial Visit Highlights the Importance of Environmental Technologies

At IFAT 2026, the German Environment Ministry’s Export Initiative Environmental Protection (EXI) presented itself as a partner for German GreenTech companies. Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider underscored the strategic importance of environmental technologies for both economic prosperity and security.

The Export Initiative Environmental Protection (EXI) participated in IFAT 2026 in Munich from 4 to 7 May 2026. For the first time, EXI was represented at the joint booth of the German Water Partnership network. This year, the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies celebrated its 60th anniversary, bringing together around 3,400 exhibitors, more than half of them from abroad.

One of the highlights was the visit by Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider. During the opening ceremony, he emphasized that environmental technologies are no longer merely a “nice-to-have.” Instead, they form a key foundation for economic prosperity and security. Referring to the World Economic Forum, he noted that many global risks are closely linked to environmental challenges. Following the opening, the minister also visited the EXI booth during his tour of the trade fair.

Projects Demonstrate Practical Solutions

Several projects presented at the trade fair illustrated how EXI supports German companies in expanding into international markets. In Sri Lanka, Thermo-Systems GmbH is working together with the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad on a solar-powered sewage sludge drying system. The project aims to make waste disposal more efficient while enabling energy recovery.

Another example is the “pharmin2” project by up2e! in India. In Hyderabad, the project has commissioned a pilot plant for the treatment of heavily contaminated wastewater as part of EXI, while also training local specialists. In doing so, EXI combines technological solutions with sustainable knowledge transfer.

The funding programme also attracted international interest: delegations from various regions, including Bolivia, Egypt, and the Baltic states, used the opportunity to discuss potential areas of cooperation.

A Network for International Markets

A central theme of the trade fair appearance was how environmental protection can become a competitive advantage. EXI supports companies in building international networks, implementing market preparation measures, and testing technologies under real-world conditions.

As “Team Germany,” the EXI network brings together stakeholders from industry, government, and research, facilitating access to new markets. The funding programme, managed by project agency ZUG, supports companies across different stages of Technology Readiness Levels — from initial pilot projects to follow-up investments.

The trade fair appearance demonstrated that global demand for solutions in water management, recycling, and the circular economy continues to grow. This creates new opportunities for German companies. EXI helps them unlock this potential and position their environmental solutions internationally.