Waste management and recycling at IFAT  

Navigating the challenges within a circular economy demands a blend of efficiency and quality, a theme highlighted by partner associations of IFAT Munich, scheduled for May 13 to 17, 2024, at the Munich Exhibition Centre.

Eric Rehbock, CEO of the German Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Management (bvse), reflects on the industry's turbulent landscape marked by dwindling collection volumes, faltering demand, and escalating operational costs. Against this backdrop, Rehbock emphasises the imperative for the recycling and waste management sector to pivot towards a sustainable circular economy, amplifying efficiency and quality across recycling plants and operational workflows.

IFAT Munich emerges as a beacon of hope, drawing together stakeholders from business, politics, and research. Rehbock envisions this convergence as pivotal for navigating the economic downturn, a sentiment echoed by the bvse's commitment to showcasing innovative solutions at the event.

In the realm of plastics recycling, Plastics Europe Deutschland e. V. heralds advancements in both mechanical and chemical processes, aiming for higher yields with reduced energy consumption. IFAT Munich serves as a stage for dialogue, with the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) spotlighting cutting-edge recycling technologies and advocating for a holistic approach to material recovery.

A pressing concern addressed at the fair is the EU Battery Regulation's impact on electromobility. The Federal Association of the German Waste Management, Water, and Recycling Industry (BDE) underscores the necessity of integrating recycling into the production and usage lifecycle of battery systems. The BDE's Spotlight Area, themed "Circularity for E-Mobility," illuminates the symbiotic relationship between battery production, usage, and recycling, emphasising the imperative of closed-loop systems in sustainable transport solutions.

Furthermore, the Federal Association of German Steel Recycling and Disposal Companies (BDSV) emphasises the importance of quality in recycled steel, advocating for innovative processes to enhance its suitability for various steel production methods. The call for targeted funding echoes throughout the industry, underlining the necessity of collaborative efforts to drive innovation and sustainability forward.

More information online.