| Managing director Egetenmeir says exhibition space at IFAT 2014 will increase by 15,000 square meters | |
Eugen Egetenmeir (EE), managing director, Messe Munchen GmbH: The name ENTSORGA was included in the show's title in 2010, to communicate to the sector the fact that this event was moving from Cologne to Munich. That message has been understood, and so we went back to our original, succinct name of IFAT.
WWi: What are you going to develop the event this year compared to two years ago?
EE: As far as the product categories and the whole set-up of IFAT are concerned, we stick to the successful concept of the past editions. However, there will be some differences: compared to the last show in 2012, not only the exhibition space at IFAT 2014 will increase by 15,000 square meters, we are also expecting a new record attendance regarding our exhibitors. Furthermore, we expect the proportion of international exhibitors as compared to the previous events will expand still further.
WWi: Specifically, what will be the focus of the water/wastewater sections? Also, for solid waste management what will be the main attractions?
EE: A very well-known but still sensitive issue is the treatment of sewage sludge. In all countries around the world sewage sludge is produced, yet many countries are still struggling with the best way to treat it. So even though this topic isn't entirely new it will be comprehensively covered at IFAT due to its still being up-to-date.
For waste collection vehicles and other municipal vehicles one highly topical subject is the emissions norm Euro VI which has been in force since the end of 2013, beginning of 2014. Many companies have had to find solutions to the higher space requirements of the larger components in the exhaust system as compared to Euro V.
Furthermore, phosphorus recycling is still a hot topic as phosphorus is extremely important for biological organisms and the resource is – as many others – getting scarce. So, recovering the natural and limited resource of phosphorus is one of the biggest challenges in securing worldwide food production in the future.
And last but not least, the recycling of building material becomes more and more important. This topic isn't a new one too. Nonetheless, raw materials are a limited resource. And for years a range of different techniques has been developed for recovering raw materials. The job involves not only recovering valuable materials, but also removing extraneous matter and any harmful substances that may be present.
WWi: What are you doing to make the event appeal to a wider international audience but still attract the domestic German market?
EE: We are constantly developing IFAT, e.g. by including new live-demonstrations or – whenever appropriate – new topics. Thereby we try to keep the show attractive for all different sectors and countries. Moreover, I would like to point out that IFAT is simply the world largest and most important show for the environmental industry and the international meeting place for key-players and decision makers.
This is the place, where exhibitors present their innovations and product novelties. In this context, IFAT reflects not only the latest market developments but also sets new trends. And last but not least IFAT features an exceptionally large share of international exhibitors and visitors.
WWi: IFAT is known for its strong exhibition and high attendance (100,000+). How are you developing the conference to increase its presence?
EE: IFAT revolves around state-of-the-art know-how and features an exceptional events program including two forums – one in hall A5 and one in hall B1. The forums are platforms for company presentations, panel discussions, country specials, technical discussions and special events.
Trade associations and manufacturers will hold practice-oriented live demonstrations of machines and systems at the open-air site.
Besides the already well-known Practical Days organized by the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), the Trucks in Action organized by the German Municipal Vehicles and Equipment Industry Association (VAK) and the Professional Competition organized by the German Association for Water, Wastewater and Waste (DWA), IFAT features several premieres: one of the premiers is the live demonstration on car recycling, organized by a new partner of IFAT, the steel recycling association BDSV.
