Hungarian Water Partnership at IFAT Munich 2024
Hungarian water technologies and international partnerships in focus at the world’s leading environmental trade fair
The Hungarian Water Partnership (HWP) participated in IFAT Munich 2024, held from 13-17 May 2024, bringing Hungarian water-sector expertise, technologies and international cooperation into focus at the world’s leading trade fair for water, wastewater, waste and raw materials management.
The 2024 edition was the largest IFAT Munich held to date, attracting approximately 142,000 visitors from nearly 170 countries and regions and 3,211 exhibitors from 61 countries and regions across 300,000 square metres of exhibition space.
HWP participated as a co-exhibitor alongside its member companies and partners, using the five-day event to promote Hungarian water technologies, facilitate international B2B discussions and strengthen professional partnerships across Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas.
Hungarian companies presenting solutions with global relevance
One of HWP’s central objectives is to create a joint international platform for the export-oriented knowledge, technologies and services of the Hungarian water sector.
At IFAT Munich, this approach was demonstrated through the participation of HWP member companies Pureco, Pureco-Tradeland and Puraset, whose technologies address some of the most pressing challenges in drinking water supply and wastewater management.
The technologies presented included solutions designed particularly for regions where conventional centralised infrastructure may be financially or technically difficult to implement.
Septopure® - decentralised faecal sludge treatment
Among the technologies showcased was Septopure®, developed for the treatment of faecal sludge and liquid waste generated in settlements without conventional sewerage networks.
The solution has already been implemented in three municipalities in Ghana and is designed to provide a more affordable and sustainable sanitation pathway for communities where extending traditional sewer infrastructure would require substantial investment.
Septopure® is particularly relevant to HWP’s international activities in Africa, where decentralised sanitation and faecal sludge management remain key development priorities.
PurAID® - modular drinking water treatment
HWP member company Puraset Ltd. presented its PurAID® modular drinking water treatment system, designed to provide safe drinking water to rural and isolated communities. The solution uses regenerable adsorbent technology and can be deployed in locations where access to centralised drinking water treatment systems is limited.
PurAID® was demonstrated live during IFAT and attracted international attention alongside other sustainable Hungarian water-treatment solutions. Both PurAID® and Septopure® have been referenced through UN Sustainable Development Goal initiatives as technologies contributing to accelerated progress toward improved drinking water and sanitation services.
International interest in Hungarian water expertise
Throughout the exhibition, the Hungarian presence became a meeting point for water-sector professionals from around the world.
Representatives from Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas participated in discussions and B2B meetings related to drinking water and wastewater technologies. Visitors from countries including Mexico, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and the Republic of Korea showed particular interest in affordable and sustainable treatment solutions.
For HWP, these meetings are an essential component of international market development. Exhibitions such as IFAT provide an opportunity not only to present individual products, but also to connect complementary Hungarian technologies with utilities, project developers, professional associations and potential local partners.
“Meet the Hungarian Water Industry”
A highlight of HWP’s participation was the “Meet the Hungarian Water Industry” professional networking forum organised on 15 May at the exhibition.
The event attracted more than 100 participants and created an informal platform for Hungarian companies, international water-sector professionals and institutional partners to establish new contacts and discuss potential cooperation.
The event also demonstrated HWP’s broader role: creating a common international presence for the Hungarian water industry and connecting business development with professional diplomacy and long-term institutional cooperation.
Johannes Lohaus named Honorary Ambassador of HWP
During the forum, Dr. Károly Kovács, President of the Hungarian Water Partnership, presented Johannes Lohaus, outgoing Secretary General of the European Water Association (EWA) and former Executive Director of the German Water Association (DWA), with the title Honorary Ambassador of the Hungarian Water Partnership. The recognition acknowledged his contribution to promoting Hungarian water-sector expertise and strengthening international professional cooperation. The award also reflected the importance HWP places on long-standing professional relationships and cross-border cooperation in opening international opportunities for Hungarian companies.
HWP and German Water Partnership strengthen cooperation
Another important milestone of IFAT Munich 2024 was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Hungarian Water Partnership and the German Water Partnership (GWP).
The agreement builds on existing cooperation between professional organisations across Europe and creates a framework for closer Hungarian-German collaboration in areas including:
research and development,
professional capacity building,
water and wastewater project implementation,
knowledge transfer, and
international cooperation and market development.
The German Water Partnership is one of Europe’s major water-sector networks with a strong international focus, making the agreement particularly relevant for HWP and its export-oriented member companies.
From technology presentation to long-term market development
HWP’s participation at IFAT Munich 2024 demonstrated how international trade fairs can serve several purposes at once.
They provide opportunities to showcase technologies, but they also allow HWP and its members to:
develop new business contacts,
strengthen existing international partnerships,
identify project opportunities,
establish cooperation with professional organisations,
exchange knowledge with utilities and decision-makers, and
increase the visibility of Hungarian water-sector expertise.
For HWP, this combination of technology promotion, professional cooperation and market development is central to strengthening the international position of the Hungarian water industry.
The strong interest shown in Hungarian technologies during IFAT, combined with the new cooperation agreement with the German Water Partnership and the international reach of the “Meet the Hungarian Water Industry” forum, made IFAT Munich 2024 an important milestone in HWP’s international activities.
Through its member companies and professional partners, the Hungarian Water Partnership will continue to promote sustainable, affordable and scalable Hungarian solutions for drinking water, wastewater treatment and sanitation worldwide.
