Istanbul, June 30, 2022
Press Release
As the region’s strongest meeting point for environmental technologies and waste management, IFAT Eurasia is less than a year away from its 2023 opening. There has been a significant increase in participation requests from both domestic and international companies. With the lifting of pandemic-related restrictions and the return of international air travel to normal levels, interest and commitment from global technology providers to attend the fair has grown noticeably.
Namık Sarıgöl, Exhibition Director at EKO Fuarcılık, stated that the IFAT Eurasia International Environmental Technologies Fair will continue to offer solutions to environmental challenges. First launched in Germany in 1966, the IFAT trade fair group is now held annually in three cities in China, two cities in India, and once in South Africa. In Germany and Turkey, it is organized alternately every two years. IFAT Eurasia 2023 will take place at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul from April 27–29.
Sarıgöl emphasized that the European Green Deal is making environmental technologies increasingly important. “Turkey is not only a manufacturer of many types of environmental equipment but also has strong export potential in this field. Especially concerning industrial waste, the EU Green Deal introduces important criteria for waste management through 2025 and 2030. It aims to minimize and manage waste at the source, while protecting potable water sources and emphasizing wastewater management,” he explained. “IFAT Eurasia will be a key showcase for these technologies.”
Noting that European countries still dominate the sector’s production, Sarıgöl added: “In addition to domestic suppliers and manufacturers, direct participation from Europe is of great significance. In 2021, despite the pandemic, we saw strong participation from both local and international companies. In terms of visitors, nearby regions such as the Balkans, Middle East, Iran, and Gulf countries are key. We continue to emphasize that IFAT Eurasia is the right address for both exhibitors and visitors. With its strategic location, we bring technologies directly to our visitors by reducing distances.”
A Platform to Improve Our Environmental Report Card
Sarıgöl underlined that IFAT provides a valuable platform for Turkey’s industrial sector to improve its environmental performance. “The IFAT fairs are highly attractive in countries with advanced industry and technology. While Germany leads the way, Turkey is now seen as a rising center for environmental technologies in the Eurasian region, following China and India. Turkey offers logistical advantages for both producer and consumer markets. The region includes many countries with urgent environmental investment needs. Turkey is becoming a key supplier within this geography. The Middle East, Central Asia, North Africa, and the Balkans are all in our scope. In this regard, IFAT Eurasia and Istanbul serve as the most appropriate meeting point.”
Ideal Platform for Networking
“IFAT Eurasia offers opportunities for networking, as well as sharing innovative knowledge and products,” Sarıgöl added. “The fair acts as a shared knowledge hub for all participants and visitors. Manufacturers meet with suppliers, creating mutual benefits and synergies. Waste management includes many subcategories that cannot be ranked by importance. A holistic approach is needed when planning waste strategies. The fair also encourages domestic manufacturers to explore new technologies and innovations. International visitors get to meet machine and equipment producers to discuss their specific needs. These needs often drive innovation. The fair allows attendees to witness advanced technology in action.”
Participation of Public Sector and Local Authorities
Sarıgöl noted that public institutions—especially in the context of the Green Deal and Paris Agreement—play a crucial role in enabling new environmental technologies through their regulations.
“Public authorities are vital in shaping and enforcing environmental policies. Local governments are among the key stakeholders in environmental technologies. Each step—waste collection, transport, storage, sorting, and recycling—requires different technologies and equipment. The chemical and biological treatment of wastewater requires highly advanced systems. The long-term environmental harm of pollutants seeping into the soil or sea is almost unimaginable. Without the use of technology, it’s nearly impossible to prevent these damages.
Life goes on, and for each decision made, technology must be developed to ensure its practical implementation. Otherwise, policies will remain only on paper. Environmental awareness will increasingly influence purchasing decisions—from public tenders to commercial sales. Beyond price and quality, environmentally friendly products and production processes will become key decision factors. In this regard, IFAT Eurasia has a clear mission: to make these choices easier.”
The 2022 edition of IFAT in Munich, held after a four-year break due to the pandemic, brought together 2,984 exhibitors from 59 countries and 119,000 visitors from 155 countries from May 30 to June 3. 98 Turkish companies participated, and the national pavilion organized by Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) attracted strong interest.