Education, research, technology transfer

If we wish to safeguard the basic needs of mankind and avoid polluting the environment, we need practical technical and structural innovations more now than ever before. Scientific institutions around the world are involved in the search for new ways to handle our finite resources more responsibly.

Due to the increasing world population, climate change, and processes such as migration and urbanization, global water requirements will rise significantly in future. In order to overcome the associated challenges, we need innovative technologies and holistic system solutions. Universities, research institutions, and other ‘think tanks’ are almost inexhaustible sources of the ideas, concepts, and innovations that we seek. IFAT is the top industry communication platform for them, too. The trade fair plays an active role in bringing together pioneers and practical experts in the recycling and secondary raw materials sector as well as in the water and sewage industry.

• Which new systems and procedures could help bridge the ever-widening gap that exists between the supply and demand of raw materials?
• How could industrial procedures be designed so that they require a minimal amount of energy and resources?
• How can we get hold of the difficult to access materials contained in a lot of waste?
• How can environmental policy goals and legal requirements be realized in practice?

These are questions and challenges where universities, research institutes, and other scientific and economic catalysts can all make essential contributions to a solution. They are presenting their ideas and projects at IFAT.