Last week at IFAT 2026 in Munich, I had the pleasure of serving as tour guide for three out of four Startup Solution Tours in the Startup Area in Hall C4.
The IFAT Startup Area
The Startup Area brought together around 50 international startups from 20 countries, presenting solutions in water management, recycling, circular value creation, AI, and robotics.
The Innovation Solution Tours
The format of the tours, carefully designed by Bruno Rudnik, industry and startup expert and Managing Partner at SusTech Consult & SEF Ventures, was straightforward and effective: groups of up to 40 participants visited selected startups, each given ten minutes to present their technology and business model.
I guided the following Innovation Solution Tours:
From Waste to Value: Next‑Generation Circular Materials
The tour explored how startups were transforming waste streams into high-value materials – from advanced plastic recycling to bio-based and circular production systems. It showcased the next generation of technologies turning waste into valuable resources.
Advanced Water Technologies for Industry & Commerce
The tour focused on water technologies for industrial and commercial applications – from monitoring and analytics to treatment and reuse – and demonstrated how these solutions contributed to efficiency, compliance, and water quality across operations.
Smart Water Solutions for Utilities & Public Infrastructure
The tour explored smart solutions for water utilities and public infrastructure, from real-time monitoring to data-driven optimization. It demonstrated how digital technologies were helping cities improve resilience, efficiency, and service quality.
Broad spectrum of technologies presented
The spectrum of technologies presented during these sessions was broad. Startups such as Wastespresso demonstrated how spent coffee grounds can be transformed into bio‑based materials. Autarkize showcased pyrolysis systems converting biomass into energy and certified biochar. CellX Biosolutions introduced a biological approach to PFAS degradation. Spectromarine presented sensor technology for predictive biofouling control in desalination plants. Other companies, including Airyx and Verticlab, addressed industrial water treatment and monitoring challenges with highly specialized solutions. These are, of course, just a few examples.
Each tour involved more than keeping an eye on the schedule. It was about briefly framing the technologies presented, guiding the discussion, and helping participants reflect on what the solutions could mean in practice – whether in terms of regulation, market readiness, or potential customer groups.
Given my ongoing work with international technology companies, particularly around market entry and business development in Germany, many of the questions raised during the tours felt familiar. Topics such as scalability, buyer expectations, and the transition from pilot projects to structured market activities were central to several discussions.
Key facts about IFAT Munich
Beyond the Startup Area, IFAT once again confirmed its role as the world’s leading trade fair for environmental technologies and a central meeting point for the industry. With around 3,400 exhibitors from approximately 60 countries, about 142,000 visitors from 160 countries, and 300,000 m² of exhibition space, the scale alone illustrates the relevance of the topics discussed – from water and recycling to circularity and resource efficiency.
IFAT worldwide
IFAT presents solutions for water, recycling, and circular economy not only in Munich. Through its global network, IFAT provides innovation platforms across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, connecting experts worldwide and supporting the development of future-oriented solutions.
The next IFAT Munich will take place from May 29 to June 1 (2028). See you there!