IFAT India 2026 Brings 500+ Exhibitors and 20,118 Business Visitors to Mumbai

The three-day trade fair featured international pavilions, technology showcases, policy discussions and more than 235 pre-scheduled Buyer–Seller meetings focused on India’s water and waste infrastructure.

IFAT India 2026 concluded at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai, with more than 500 exhibitors from over 30 countries and 20,118 business visitors participating in the three-day event. Organised by Messe Muenchen India from 9–11 September 2026, the trade fair covered water, wastewater, waste management and recycling technologies alongside discussions on infrastructure delivery and project requirements.

IFAT India 2026 Connects Environmental Technology Stakeholders

Mumbai, 11 September 2026: IFAT India 2026 brought together government agencies, urban local bodies, utilities, industrial users, project developers and technology providers to examine solutions and discuss requirements linked to India’s environmental infrastructure.

The event featured six international pavilions representing China, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Norway and the Netherlands.

Dedicated SWAN, IWA, ULB, SME and Start-up Pavilions also provided platforms for technology providers, emerging enterprises, municipal authorities, investors, researchers and professional institutions.

Solutions displayed at the exhibition covered 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 Technologies Showcased

Several new products were presented during the event.

Fornax’s R-MAX3300 was showcased for high-capacity Alternative Fuel and Raw Material pre-processing, while NX Filtration’s Integrated Rack offered a compact and scalable system for ultrafiltration applications.

Micro Transmission Systems’ Back Rake Screen was presented for removing solid waste from large channels and drains.

Fivebro Water Services’ SUMO-TESK range of multistage centrifugal pumps addressed high-pressure water-treatment applications.

Thermax’s Miracle was showcased for treating high-TDS water while increasing water recovery and reducing energy use and operating costs.

Public and Private Stakeholders Discuss Project Delivery

The Mumbai edition was inaugurated in the presence of Smt. Agnimitra Paul, Hon’ble Minister-in-Charge, 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.

Senior representatives from state governments, urban local bodies, diplomatic missions, knowledge institutions, professional associations and the environmental technology industry also attended the opening ceremony.

Representatives from the All India Institute of Local Self-Government, ASSOCHAM National Water Council, Builders’ Association of India, German Water Partnership, German Recycling Technologies and Waste Management Partnership, GIZ India, International Solid Waste Association, International Water Association, Indian Water Works Association, Material Recycling Association of India, National Solid Waste Association of India, SWAN India Alliance, TERI Centre of Excellence on Water Reuse, KPMG in India and IFAT Worldwide also participated in the inaugural programme.

Bhupinder Singh, President – IMEA, Messe München, and CEO, Messe Muenchen India, said, “India’s environmental infrastructure agenda is entering a delivery-led phase. Technology choices must perform under local operating conditions, align with procurement frameworks and deliver measurable outcomes. IFAT India 2026 allowed decision-makers to assess solutions against real project requirements and engage directly with potential partners. Bringing these conversations closer to investment and implementation is where the platform creates lasting value.”

Knowledge Programme Covers Policy, Finance and Execution

With KPMG as Knowledge Partner, sessions 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 broader framework of Viksit Bharat 2047.

At Speakers’ Corner, specialists discussed water reuse, Zero Liquid Discharge, digital water management and advanced treatment technologies.

The International Solid Waste Association’s Young Professionals Group also introduced a proposed University Challenge aimed at bringing research-led ideas and emerging talent into the environmental sector.

The All-India Institute of Local Self-Government, Mumbai, conducted two forums focused on urban service delivery.

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.

Its National Conference, organised with UNICEF India, focused on coordinated planning for sanitation and waste-management outcomes across rural and urban India.

Commenting on the forums, Dr Jairaj Phatak, IAS (Retd.), Director General, AIILSG, said, “AIILSG brings 100 years legacy of supporting urban governance and service delivery. Our nine-year journey with IFAT India has grown into a powerful platform for transforming municipal dialogue into actionable governance. As the Government Partner for Strategic Connect, AIILSG took pride at IFAT India 2026 in uniting grassroots innovation with high-level policy advocacy. While our specialised conference sessions tackled pressing frameworks around circularity, wastewater, and urban climate resilience, the ULB Pavilion provided a national stage for local bodies to present their indigenously engineered solutions. This seamless integration of technical discourse and ground-level validation is precisely what bridges policy intent with scalable execution. We value our enduring collaboration with Messe Muenchen India in steering local bodies in India toward a self-reliant, sustainable urban future.”

Buyer–Seller Meetings Focus on Project Requirements

Municipal and industrial buyers used the exhibition to compare technologies, examine lifecycle and service requirements, discuss retrofit opportunities and assess integration with existing infrastructure.

The Buyer–Seller Forum facilitated more than 235 pre-scheduled meetings between exhibitors and buyers from India and international markets. The meetings focused on project specifications, technology suitability and potential partnerships.

IFAT India to Return to Mumbai in 2027

Reflecting on the way forward, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Mishra, IAS (Retd.), Former Director General, NMCG; Advisor, NIUA; and Chairman, IFAT India Advisory Committee, said, “India’s water and waste-management priorities require faster translation of policy into projects that deliver lasting results and help sustainability. IFAT India brings government, industry and technology providers together to address the practical challenges surrounding implementation, financing and operations. This collective effort will be critical to building water secure and resilient cities and advancing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.”

The next edition of IFAT India is scheduled to take place in Mumbai from 29 September to 1 October 2027, covering water, wastewater, waste management, recycling and circular-economy sectors.