IFAT Munich 2024, which took place from May 13 to 17 at the Munich Exhibition Center, ended with a top attendance: Around 142,000 visitors from nearly 170 countries and regions attended the world's leading trade fair for water, sewage, waste and raw materials management. The share of international visitors was over 50 percent and thus higher than ever. The number of international exhibitors also reached a new record: 55 percent of the 3,211 exhibitors came from abroad. Companies from a total of 61 countries and regions took part in the trade fair. With 300,000 square meters of space, IFAT Munich 2024 was also the largest ever.
The main topics of the event were adaptation to climate change, the connections between environmental protection and climate protection goals, and the circularization of the economy.
This year Hungarian Water Partnership participated in the exhibition as a co-exhibitor at the booth of its founding member company, Pureco Ltd. The purpose of HWP’s participation was to represent the member companies during the fair on the one hand and to expand its own network of professional partners on the other. In this respect Hungarian Water Partnership’s "Meet the Hungarian Water Industry" forum, which took place on May 15 at the booth of Pureco was a great success. More than 60 guests participated with approx. half coming from abroad (e.g. Germany, Ghana, USA, Japan, Vietnam, Slovakia, France, Luxembourg). The Hungarian and international participants represented companies or professional organizations.
The opening speech was given by the host, Dr. Károly Kovács, president of the HWP. It was followed by welcome remarks by Mr Gergely Juhász, trade attaché of the Consulate General of Hungary in Munich (on behalf of the Consul General, the patron of the forum), Mrs Wendy Francken, president of the European Water Association (EWA), and Mr Thomas Beutel, regional director of the German Water Partnership (GWP). Afterwards Dr. Kovács awarded the title of "Honorary Ambassador of the HWP" to outgoing EWA President, Mr Johannes Lohaus in recognition of his decade-long commitment to the international acceptance of the Hungarian water industry.
Mr Lohaus (right) and Dr Kovács (left)
Finally, as highlight of the programme, Mr Zoltán Horváth, CEO of HWP’s management company, the HWP Nonprofit Ltd., and Mr Boris Greifeneder, managing director of the GWP signed the MoU between the two organizations.
Mr Horváth (right) and Mr Grefeneder (left). Standing behind from right to left: the presidency of HWP (Mr Róbert Forintos, Dr. Károly Kovács and Mr Bálint Horváth)
The event continued well into the evening with a wine&cheese and the guests tasted fine Hungarian wines offered for this occasion by the HEPA - Hungarian Export Promotion Agency.
On behalf of the HWP, we would like to thank our member company, Pureco Ltd., for sharing their booth with us. Special thanks go to its colleagues for the lots of help, especially during the organization of our forum.
