IFAT India 2026 concluded at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. The event brought together 20,118 business visitors and more than 500 exhibitors from over 30 countries.
Messe Muenchen India organised the exhibition from 9 to 11 September 2026. The event focused on India’s changing needs across water, wastewater, waste management and recycling.
The exhibition also created a business and knowledge platform for government agencies, urban local bodies, utilities, industrial users, project developers and technology providers.
During the event, participants assessed technologies, discussed project needs and explored potential partnerships. These discussions focused on practical implementation and project delivery.
International Participation Strengthens Industry Connect
IFAT India 2026 featured six international pavilions from China, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Norway and the Netherlands.
In addition, the SWAN, IWA, ULB, SME and Start-up Pavilions brought together technology providers, emerging businesses, municipal authorities, investors, researchers and professional institutions.
The exhibition showcased solutions across several areas, including:
- 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
- Energy recovery
New Technologies Target Water and Waste Challenges
Several companies presented new products and technologies during the exhibition.
Fornax showcased the R-MAX3300 for high-capacity Alternative Fuel and Raw Material pre-processing.
Meanwhile, NX Filtration presented its compact and scalable Integrated Rack for ultrafiltration systems.
Micro Transmission Systems displayed its Back Rake Screen. The system removes solid waste from large channels and drains.
Fivebro Water Services presented the SUMO-TESK range of multistage centrifugal pumps. The pumps target high-pressure water-treatment applications.
Thermax showcased Miracle, a solution for treating high-TDS water. The system aims to improve water recovery while reducing energy use and operating costs.
Public and Private Stakeholders Focus on Project Delivery
The Mumbai edition opened 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; Shri S. Suresh Kumar, IAS, Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Furthermore, senior representatives from state governments, urban local bodies, diplomatic missions, knowledge institutions, professional associations and the environmental technology sector joined the event.
The opening ceremony highlighted collaboration between public authorities, industry and technology providers. This cooperation can help turn infrastructure priorities into viable projects.
Representatives from AIILSG, 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.
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.”
Katharina Schlegel, Exhibition Director and Global Industry Lead, IFAT worldwide, Messe München, said, “IFAT India 2026 demonstrated the country’s growing significance to the global environmental technology industry. The participation of policymakers, utilities, industrial users and technology providers enabled a meaningful exchange between international experience and local requirements. As part of the worldwide IFAT network, the Mumbai edition is building partnerships that can help proven solutions achieve scale in India.”
Knowledge Programme Covers Policy and Implementation
With KPMG as Knowledge Partner, the knowledge programme explored water security, sanitation, waste management, resource recovery, circularity, infrastructure finance and climate-resilient urban development.
The programme ran across the Blue, Orange and Green Stages. Discussions examined these topics within the wider framework of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Meanwhile, Speakers’ Corner hosted practical discussions on 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. The initiative aims to connect research-led ideas and emerging talent with the environmental sector.
AIILSG Forums Address Urban Service Delivery
The All-India Institute of Local Self-Government, Mumbai, led two forums 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.
Meanwhile, its National Conference, organised with UNICEF India, focused on coordinated planning. The sessions explored ways to improve 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.”
Buyers Evaluate Technologies for Real-World Needs
Municipal and industrial buyers used the exhibition to compare technologies and assess their suitability for existing operations.
In addition, discussions covered lifecycle needs, service requirements, retrofit opportunities and integration with existing infrastructure.
The Buyer-Seller Forum also supported business engagement through more than 235 pre-scheduled meetings between exhibitors and buyers from India and international markets.
These meetings gave participants a structured setting to discuss project specifications, technology suitability and potential partnerships.
IFAT India Looks Towards 2027
Looking ahead, 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 will take place in Mumbai from 29 September to 1 October 2027.
The event will once again bring together stakeholders from India’s water, wastewater, waste-management, recycling and circular-economy sectors.
