Munich, May 2026 – When IFAT Worldwide 2026 opened its doors from 4–7 May, it once again brought together the global environmental technology community. For the German RETech Partnership e.V., the event was more than just a trade fair presence — it was an opportunity to actively connect German expertise with international demand in the waste management and circular economy markets.
With a strong booth presence and contributions to the Orange Stage panels, RETech also curated a series of targeted programmes, including the World Bank Roundtable and the Information Trip Brazil. These initiatives created focused spaces for dialogue, exchange, and business development — an approach that resonated clearly with participating member companies.
For many, IFAT was first and foremost about reconnecting and building relationships. As Nidhi Thakkar, Consultant at Cyclos, reflected, the event offered both familiarity and expansion:
“It was a rewarding experience in terms of relationship-building. RETech provided a great platform to reconnect with familiar faces from across the industry while also expanding our network with new contacts.”
She also noted the structure behind these interactions:
“The RETech program was well-organized and creates meaningful opportunities for exchange.”
This carefully curated approach became especially visible in the international delegations facilitated by RETech. For Compost Systems, one standout moment was hosting a Brazilian delegation directly at their stand. Cristián Mulcahy, Iberia & LAC Regional Manager, described the experience as both productive and impactful:
“A major highlight was welcoming a Brazilian delegation led by RETech to our stand, which provided an excellent platform to share Compost Systems’ expertise and engineering solutions in organic waste management.”
Beyond the exhibition floor, dedicated networking formats also helped deepen these exchanges. Mulcahy added:
“The dedicated dinner organized by RETech with the Brazilian representatives was an opportunity to build connections and discuss regional waste management challenges in Latin America and Brazil in particular.”
For NAUE, the value of RETech’s programming lay in its strategic depth. Dr.-Ing. Jovana Husemann, responsible for Global Business Development & Sustainability, emphasized how the initiative connects companies with the right stakeholders:
“RETech connected us with stakeholders of real strategic interest, and we particularly benefited from the insights shared during the World Bank Round Table, the diverse expert sessions, and the opportunity to schedule focused B2B meetings with potential partners and institutions.”
Reflecting on the overall experience, she summarized:
“Our RETech experience at IFAT was excellent — highly relevant, well organized, and very valuable for our international engagement in waste management and circular economy.”
At the same time, RETech’s support extended beyond networking to concrete business facilitation. Jan-Bernd Frilling, Area Sales Manager at Eggersmann, highlighted the level of preparation and coordination:
“Great organization, already well prepared in advance by the RETech team. Many guided tours were also arranged to our booth at Eggersmann.”
These interactions were not just symbolic — they translated into tangible business opportunities:
“Another important objective was to engage interested parties for representing our equipment in their respective countries, for example in Chile.”
Across all participating companies, one theme emerged consistently: RETech’s programmes not only foster connections but also generate real added value.
For Cyclos, this meant opening doors to future collaboration:
“Beyond networking, it has been helpful in opening doors to new collaborative opportunities and identifying synergies with like-minded organizations working toward shared goals.”
Thakkar even pointed to concrete next steps:
“We are currently exploring consortium opportunities together with RETech and other companies on potential upcoming projects.”
For NAUE, the impact went beyond individual business development and extended to a broader positioning of German expertise on the global stage. Dr. Husemann emphasized the strength of the collective:
“RETech creates strong strategic value by enabling NAUE to be part of a high-level network of leading German companies and experts committed to advancing waste management, circular economy, and sustainable environmental technologies worldwide.”
She added:
“Together, as a network of companies, we are stronger, more visible, and better equipped to preserve the quality promise of ‘Made in Germany’ while further expanding globally.”
Similarly, Eggersmann highlighted RETech’s role in reaching entirely new markets and partners:
“It is definitely a key connection point for establishing new relationships that we did not previously have within our existing customer base.”
Given these experiences, it is no surprise that all interviewed members strongly recommend engaging with RETech.
Cyclos, drawing on over a decade of membership, put it succinctly:
“Without hesitation. We have been a member since 2014 and it has consistently proven to be a worthwhile investment — both for visibility within the industry and for the connections that genuinely translate into action.”
For Compost Systems, RETech’s unique ability to bridge markets stands out:
“Their ability to bridge the gap between European technology providers and global delegations creates business and networking opportunities that are hard to achieve independently, especially for small and medium sized companies.”
NAUE echoed this perspective with equal conviction:
“RETech is a powerful platform for companies that want to grow internationally and actively contribute to the global transition toward better waste management, circular economy, and resource-efficient infrastructure.”
And for Eggersmann, RETech represents something even broader — a symbol of quality and trust:
“It represents our emblem of Germany, serving as a reference point for guidance and consulting in German recycling equipment.”
As IFAT Worldwide 2026 concluded, one message became clear: RETech continues to play a crucial role not just as a network, but as a facilitator of meaningful international partnerships. By connecting companies, ideas, and markets, it helps turn global challenges in waste management and circular economy into tangible opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
