​​Environmental technologies as the focus of politics and business

IFAT Munich 2026 will once again underscore its role as the central platform for environmental technologies: High-ranking representatives from politics, business, industry associations, and international institutions will use the world-leading trade fair from May 4 to 7, 2026 to discuss key future issues related to circularity and climate protection. With its central theme of “Circularity is a must,” IFAT Munich will specifically address the issues that are currently right at the top of the political agenda—from raw material security and resilient supply chains to climate protection and industrial transformation— making it the place where political objectives and technological solutions effectively come together.

Joint opening by Schneider, Roswall, and Glauber

The considerable political importance of the industry will already be evident at the official opening: Germany’s Environment Minister Carsten Schneider, EU Commissioner Jessika Roswall, and Bavaria’s Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber will jointly open IFAT Munich 2026. On Monday, May 4, at 10:00, they will send a clear signal on the Blue Stage (Hall B2) for closely dovetailing European, national, and regional environmental policy.

“The fact that so many high-ranking political decision-makers are coming to Munich shows that the transformation to a circular economy has long become an item on the political agenda,” says Exhibition Director Philipp Eisenmann. “With its central theme of “Circularity is a must,” IFAT Munich is bringing together key players—and, above all, the solutions that are needed now.”

VDA President Hildegard Müller on the Future of Mobility

A special focus in 2026 is on the close exchange between politics and business. Hildegard Müller, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), for example, underscores the growing importance of circularity and resource efficiency for industrial value chains. She will speak on Monday, May 4, at 13:30 on the Orange Stage (Hall A5) at the invitation of the Federal Association of the German Waste Management, Water and Recycling Industry (BDE).

Strong showing by ministers from the German states

In addition to members of the German and federal state parliaments, and representatives of the European Parliament, a host of state ministers will also attend IFAT Munich. Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian State Minister for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy, will open the Spotlight Area “Hydrogen in the Circular Economy” on Monday, May 4, at 13:30 on the Hydrogen Stage (Hall A4). Both state ministers from North Rhine-Westphalia, Mona Neubaur (Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy) and Oliver Krischer (Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Transport), will also travel to Munich on the opening day to discuss circularity with experts.

Political impetus at the European level

A key highlight will be the European top-level talk on the circular economy, with high-ranking representatives from politics, business, and institutions discussing the further development of the circular economy in Europe. The event will be held on Wednesday, March 6, at 09:30 on the Neo Stage (Hall A5). Among those in attendance will be Eric Mamer, Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Environment. He will discuss with Glenn Schmidt, Vice President of Global Sustainability at the BMW Group, Ulla Hüppe, Global Vice President and Global Sustainability Lead at Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, and Felicitas Riedl, Director of the Innovation and Competitiveness Department at the Projects Directorate, European Investment Bank (EIB). The top-level talk underscores IFAT Munich’s role as a platform for dialog between European politics, industry, and practice, and demonstrates how closely regulatory conditions and technological solutions now dovetail.

International ministerial delegations at IFAT Munich

IFAT Munich also attracts considerable political interest internationally: Political leaders from several countries use the trade fair as a platform for exchange and collaboration. Among those expected to attend are the environment ministers from Austria, Bolivia, Egypt and South Africa. That underscores IFAT Munich’s role as a global meeting place for political decision-makers and industry representatives alike.

IFAT Munich as a political pacesetter

The large number of high-ranking participants shows that environmental technologies are more than ever the focus of political attention. IFAT Munich 2026 will be the central venue, where political guidelines, economic innovations, and social expectations converge—and where the course is set for a sustainable future.