In the first week of May, Munich once again became the global meeting point for environmental technologies as IFAT 2026 brought together innovators, engineers and sustainability leaders from across the world. For econ industries, this year’s trade fair was far more than an exhibition — it was a powerful confirmation that the future of industrial recycling is accelerating worldwide.

Throughout an exciting and inspiring week, econ industries welcomed visitors from North and South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia to its booth at IFAT Munich 2026. The strong international interest highlighted one clear trend: industries worldwide are actively searching for sustainable recycling solutions that combine environmental responsibility with strong economic performance.

A Clear Industry Message: Sustainability Must Deliver Results

Discussions throughout the week focused on some of the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including:

• CO₂ emission reduction
• PFAS contamination
• Oil recovery
• Mercury waste treatment and stabilization
• Recycling of grinding swarf and metal sludges
• Tailor-made recycling concepts for hazardous industrial waste

With its proven VacuDry® technology and holistic recycling approach, econ industries demonstrated how industrial hazardous waste can be transformed into valuable secondary resources while significantly reducing environmental impact.

Major Project Announcement in Northern Germany

One of the biggest highlights of IFAT 2026 was the announcement of a new recycling project in Germany. The Bettels Group and econ industries officially signed an agreement to build an innovative recycling center for industrial hazardous waste in Northern Germany. The future facility is designed to process more than 30,000 tonnes of industrial waste annually while returning over 90% of treated materials back into the economic cycle.

The environmental impact is expected to be substantial, with the plant projected to save tens of thousands of tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year. A particularly forward-looking aspect of the project is its energy concept: the facility will operate entirely without fossil fuels by utilizing waste heat and solar energy generated from Bettels Group’s own renewable energy sources.

Next Generation VacuDry® Pushes Performance to New Levels

At IFAT 2026, econ industries also unveiled major advancements for the next generation of VacuDry® technology — setting new benchmarks in thermal vacuum recycling. Our econeers have been working hard behind the scenes and the results speak for themselves. The next generation VacuDry® plant will feature a thermal oil heating system capable of reaching 430 °C, enabling material temperatures of up to 400 °C at <100 mbar(abs). Therefore, VacuDry^® will then be able to evaporate substances that normally boil at 500 °C at atmospheric pressure. Combined with significant throughput increases, this marks a major leap in performance and flexibility for our customers.

Experience VacuDry® Up Close

A full-scale VacuDry® plant may have been too large for the exhibition hall — but that did not stop visitors from experiencing it firsthand.

Through an immersive digital walkthrough, guests explored the latest VacuDry® 12 000 plant from the inside out, gaining interactive insights into the technology, design and process behind the system. The experience quickly became one of the highlights at the econ industries booth and received outstanding feedback from visitors throughout the week.

Continuing the Momentum Beyond IFAT

While IFAT 2026 may have come to an end, the conversations and partnerships initiated in Munich are only beginning. The econ industries team will continue following up individually with visitors, partners and customers to discuss project ideas, recycling challenges and tailor-made solutions for industrial waste treatment. econ industries would like to sincerely thank all visitors, partners and customers who took the time to meet the team in Munich. The inspiring discussions throughout the week once again demonstrated the growing momentum behind sustainable industrial recycling and the circular economy.

The team now looks forward to transforming the ideas and momentum from IFAT 2026 into real projects, long-term partnerships and lasting environmental impact worldwide.