Overview
IFAT India 2026 was held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai from 9 September to 11 September 2026, organised by Messe Muenchen India. The three‑day trade fair brought together 20,118 business visitors and more than 500 exhibitors representing over 30 countries, creating a platform for government agencies, urban local bodies, utilities, industrial users, project developers and technology providers to explore India’s water, wastewater, waste‑management and recycling needs.
International Participation and Exhibition Layout
Six country pavilions – China, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Norway and the Netherlands – showcased global solutions. Dedicated SWAN, IWA, ULB, SME and Start‑up pavilions facilitated interaction among established technology providers, emerging enterprises, municipal authorities, investors, researchers and professional institutions. Exhibitors displayed technologies covering water and wastewater treatment, treated‑water reuse, digital monitoring, membrane systems, Zero Liquid Discharge, waste collection and sorting, material recovery, recycling, biogas, refuse‑derived fuel, waste‑to‑fuel applications and energy recovery.
New Products Highlighted
Among the newly launched products were Fornax’s R‑MAX3300 high‑capacity Alternative Fuel and Raw Material pre‑processing unit; NX Filtration’s compact, scalable Integrated Rack for ultrafiltration systems; Micro Transmission Systems’ Back Rake Screen designed to remove solid waste from large channels and drains; Fivebro Water Services’ SUMO‑TESK range of multistage centrifugal pumps for high‑pressure water‑treatment applications; and Thermax’s “Miracle” system for treating high‑TDS water while increasing water recovery and reducing energy use and operating costs.
Government and Policy Representation
The inauguration was attended by Smt. Agnimitra Paul, Minister‑in‑Charge of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs, Government of West Bengal; Smt. Isha Kalia, IAS, Joint Secretary and Mission Director, NULM and PM SVANidhi, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs; and Shri S. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Additional senior representatives from state governments, diplomatic missions, knowledge institutions, professional associations and the environmental technology industry were present, reflecting the coordination required to translate infrastructure priorities into viable projects.
Statements from Organisers
Bhupinder Singh, President‑IMEA of Messe München and CEO of Messe Muenchen India, stated that India’s environmental infrastructure agenda is entering a delivery‑led phase and that technology choices must perform under local operating conditions, align with procurement frameworks and deliver measurable outcomes. Katharina Schlegel, Exhibition Director and Global Industry Lead for IFAT worldwide, highlighted the growing significance of India to the global environmental technology industry and the role of the Mumbai edition in building partnerships that can scale proven solutions in India.
Knowledge Programme and Policy Dialogues
KPMG served as Knowledge Partner. Discussions across the Blue, Orange and Green Stages examined water security, sanitation, waste management, resource recovery, circularity, infrastructure finance and climate‑resilient urban development within the Viksit Bharat 2047 framework. The Speakers’ Corner featured specialists on water reuse, Zero Liquid Discharge, digital water management and advanced treatment technologies. The International Solid Waste Association’s Young Professionals Group introduced a University Challenge to bring research‑led ideas into the sector. The All‑India Institute of Local Self‑Government, Mumbai, led two forums on strengthening urban service delivery, while the Chief Engineers’ Forum, supported by AMRUT 2.0, examined project execution, technology adoption and long‑term performance across water, wastewater, sanitation and solid‑waste infrastructure. A national conference co‑organised with UNICEF India addressed coordinated planning for improved sanitation and waste‑management outcomes across rural and urban India.
Buyer‑Seller Interactions
The Buyer‑Seller Forum facilitated more than 235 pre‑scheduled meetings between exhibitors and Indian and international buyers, allowing participants to discuss project specifications, technology suitability, lifecycle and service requirements, retrofit opportunities and potential partnerships.
Outlook and Future Event
Shri Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, IAS (Retd.), Former Director General of NMCG and Chairman of the IFAT India Advisory Committee, emphasized the need for faster translation of policy into projects that deliver lasting results. He noted that IFAT India brings together government, industry and technology providers to address implementation, financing and operational challenges. The next edition of IFAT India is scheduled to return to Mumbai from 29 September to 1 October 2027, aiming to further develop solutions and partnerships across India’s water, wastewater, waste‑management, recycling and circular‑economy sectors.
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