Ifat 2026 showcases solutions for vehicles and recycling processes
Ifat 2026 focuses on key environmental technology infrastructures. Messe.TV’s coverage focuses in particular on vehicles and bodywork, as well as waste treatment and recycling. These areas form the operational basis of municipal and industrial waste management systems.
Papers for Ifat 2026 in Munich
Flexible handling technology for scrap and recycling
The requirements in the scrap and recycling industry have changed significantly in recent years. Today, operators must not only work economically but also comply with stricter environmental regulations and safety requirements. Changing requirements in the scrap and recycling industry
Wima improves classification of moist materials
At first glance, screening technology often seems unspectacular. In many systems, its task appears to be simply to separate material according to size. In practice, however, the quality of this process stage determines how efficiently an en... Separating moist or sticky material by size
Autonomous sweeper for recycling centres and industrial sites
Autonomous vehicles have been regarded for years as one of the major future trends in mechanical engineering. Whilst much of the discussion focuses on passenger cars, robotaxis or delivery vehicles, specialised systems for industrial applic... Use in industrial facilities, recycling centres or port areas
DiscSpreader automove improves sorting in recycling
In recycling plants, the quality of sorting is not only determined at the actual separator. Even before that, the material must be prepared in such a way that downstream systems can work reliably. Increase sorting quality through preparatory process stage
The Mercedes-Benz eActros 400: a versatile municipal vehicle
Municipal vehicles face particularly high expectations. They must be operational all year round, cover a range of tasks and, at the same time, operate economically and reliably. MirrorCam and driver assistance systems for greater safety
Shredding of end-of-life tyres using rotary shears in plants
The shredding of end-of-life tyres is one of the unassuming yet central processes of modern circular economy. Tyres are durable products, but at the same time difficult to dispose of. Processes in modern tyre recycling
Vehicles and bodywork in the changing landscape of waste management logistics
Vehicles for waste management are highly specialised work tools. They must collect and transport different materials, and in some cases compact or separate them on site. It is not just performance that matters, but also reliability and cost-effectiveness in daily use. A clear trend is the increasing electrification of municipal fleets. Alongside traditional diesel engines, battery-electric solutions are gaining in importance, particularly for inner-city use. At the same time, manufacturers are further developing their superstructures – with a focus on weight, payload and automated processes. Typical developments in the field of vehicles and superstructures:
- Electric drive systems for low-emission operation in urban areas
- Optimised superstructures to increase payload while reducing unladen weight
- Automated loading systems to reduce manual work steps
- Digital recording of routes, volumes and operational data
Waste treatment as the technical core of the circular economy
Waste treatment has evolved from a purely disposal-oriented task into a central component of the raw materials economy. The aim is to recover as many recyclable materials as possible and to treat residual materials efficiently. Modern facilities operate using a combination of mechanical, thermal and biological processes. Sorting technologies utilise sensor technology to precisely identify and separate materials. At the same time, the quality requirements for secondary raw materials are increasing, as these are increasingly being returned to industrial processes. Key developments in waste treatment:
- Automated sorting plants with optical and sensor-based detection
- Mechanical-biological processes for treating mixed waste
- Thermal processes for generating energy from non-recyclable residues
- Increasing demands on the purity and quality of recycled materials
Recycling: balancing raw material security and economic viability
Recycling is a key issue for industry and policy-makers. Access to primary raw materials is becoming increasingly uncertain, whilst at the same time pressure is mounting to use resources more efficiently. Recycling processes must therefore not only be ecologically sound, but also economically viable. The focus is particularly on metals, plastics and building materials. The aim here is to process materials in such a way that they can be reintegrated into production processes. At the same time, new processes are emerging that make use of materials that were previously difficult to recycle. A decisive factor is the quality of the input materials. The better waste is separated during the collection process, the more efficiently it can be processed further. This makes the interface between collection, transport and processing increasingly important.
Digitalisation and management of complex material flows
Alongside mechanical and chemical processes, digitalisation is playing an increasingly important role. Data is used to monitor, control and optimise processes. This applies to both individual facilities and entire waste management networks. Digital systems enable more precise route planning, better utilisation of facilities and transparent tracking of material flows. At the same time, new requirements are emerging regarding data security and system integration. Another aspect is the networking between different stakeholders – from municipal utilities and private waste management companies to industrial enterprises. Collaboration is becoming more complex, but it also opens up new potential for efficiency. Ifat 2026 will showcase the full spectrum of these developments at the Munich Exhibition Centre. The focus will be on technical solutions that work under real-world conditions and can be integrated into existing structures. It will become clear that the transformation of the waste management sector is shaped less by individual innovations and more by the interplay of many technical and organisational factors.
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