IFAT 2026

Munich / May 04, 2026 - May 07, 2026

IFAT 2026

Leitmesse für Umwelttechnologien

Hall B2, Booth 115

At IFAT 2026, the international trade fair for water, wastewater, waste, and raw materials management, the Fraunhofer SysWasser Alliance will present its latest research findings and developments (Hall B2, Booth 115).

Fraunhofer IGB will showcase a biomining reactor for the biological recovery of valuable metals and rare earth elements from electronic waste, present its processes for nutrient recovery from wastewater, as well as specific project examples ranging from wastewater treatment to water reuse for municipalities and industry, and explain how pathogens can be detected in wastewater.

Nutrient recovery from wastewater

At IFAT 2026, Fraunhofer IGB will showcase a selection of different substrates containing nutrients recovered from various waste streams. The samples on display illustrate which valuable components can be extracted from process water or residual materials at the IGB. The IGB is thus targeting companies that wish to recover nutrients from their own waste streams and thereby use resources more efficiently. A particular focus is on the production of fertilizers based on recovered nutrients.

Biomining – Recovery of Metals and Rare Earth Elements from Electronic Waste

Biomining is a process that relies on the ability of microorganisms and microalgae to dissolve and absorb metals from solid materials – an approach that has the potential to fundamentally transform the way we recycle. At IFAT 2026, Fraunhofer IGB will present a reactor that uses this biological process to recover valuable metals from electronic waste.

Detection of viruses in wastewater

Viruses pose an invisible threat to wastewater – and at the same time represent a major risk to health and the environment. In order to purify water of these biological hazards, the first step is to identify suitable detection methods. The EU has also recognized the particular relevance of the threat posed by viruses and has included the detection of viruses in the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which was amended in 2024. Due to these stricter legal requirements, the demand for detection methods has grown enormously. Fraunhofer IGB offers high-performance molecular biology solutions for this purpose that can reliably detect even the smallest viral loads. At IFAT 2026, the institute will demonstrate how detection works using a viral sensor model.

Bioeconomy projects

Klärbecken der Kläranlage Ulm-Steinhäule. — © Fraunhofer IGB

One of Fraunhofer IGB’s key research areas is the bioeconomy – that is, an economic model based on circularity. The aim is to tap not only renewable raw materials but also waste and wastewater streams as sources. To this end, the IGB is developing processes specifically tailored to wastewater management. At IFAT 2026, the institute will showcase various concrete project examples from this field that have already been successfully implemented.

Events and Fairs

Munich / May 04, 2026 - May 07, 2026

IFAT 2026

Fraunhofer-Gemeinschaftsstand Halle B2, Stand 115

Nutrient recovery from wastewater

Biomining – Recovery of Metals and Rare Earth Elements from Electronic Waste

Detection of viruses in wastewater

Bioeconomy projects

Contact Press / Media

Dr.-Ing. Ursula Schließmann

Contact Press / Media

Jan Müller M. A.