In 2007, RETech was founded as an initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (then BMU, now BMUV) to improve environmental standards worldwide and specifically promote the development of the waste and recycling sector. From the very beginning, the focus was on knowledge transfer and technology export. Four years later, in December 2011, leading representatives of the German waste and recycling industry and academic institutions came together to found the association German RETech Partnership e.V.

Already in 2016, RETech and its members actively participated in the first funding rounds of the Environmental Protection Export Initiative by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection’s (BMUV).

A significant milestone was reached in 2021: RETech became an official strategic  partner of the BMUV and was commissioned to support the internationalization of German GreenTech SMEs. This includes consulting, networking, public relations and operational support in accessing international markets.

Today, RETech unites over 60 members from the entire waste management and recycling sector – ranging from collection, treatment, and marketing to consulting, planning, research, and education – backed by a strong national and international network.

This broad network offers a unique opportunity to support the establishment of structured waste management systems worldwide and thus significantly promote the export of German waste management and recycling technologies.