IFAT 2026 recap: Upgrade your organic output

From May 4 through 7, 2026, Smicon welcomed visitors from the international waste management and recycling industry at IFAT in Munich. This year’s trade show gave us the opportunity to showcase our latest technology, exchange knowledge with industry professionals, and further highlight our international network of dealers.
 

MEET THE SP ULTRAFILTER: UP TO 99.9% ORGANIC PURITY

One of the main highlights at our booth was our latest solution for further purifying the recovered organic stream.

The SP UltraFilter is a plug-and-play solution designed to remove unwanted particles from the organic fraction after packaging has been removed. By adding an extra purification step to the process, the organic output can achieve a purity of up to 99.9%, depending on the feed stream and process conditions. 

For companies that process packaged food waste, achieving a high-quality organic output can be essential for the next step in the process. A cleaner organic fraction can offer more opportunities for applications such as anaerobic digestion and other forms of feedstock recovery.

The SP UltraFilter can be integrated into an existing process, allowing the quality of the end product to be further improved without having to modify the entire installation.

The right configuration depends on the characteristics of the waste stream and the desired output. By taking a holistic view of the entire process, we help customers find practical solutions that maximize the recovery of organic material while reducing unwanted material and disposal costs.
 

OUR INTERNATIONAL NETWORK IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Another key focus at IFAT 2026 was our international dealer network. Smicon collaborates with local partners in markets around the world. These partners combine their knowledge of local markets and customer needs with Smicon’s expertise in waste processing technology. At IFAT, we had the opportunity to connect with customers, partners, and visitors from various countries and highlight the strength of this international network.

For customers, working with a local Smicon dealer means access to local market knowledge and service, combined with the technology and expertise of an experienced international machine manufacturer.

MARKET DEVELOPMENTS

One of the key takeaways from IFAT 2026 was the improved level of knowledge we observed in the recycling market. Compared to previous years, visitors demonstrated a better understanding of food waste unpacking and the various options for processing packaged organic waste.

Consequently, discussions were more focused on the specific steps in the process: how to improve the quality of the organic output and reduce disposal costs for rejects.

The combination of the SMIMO depackaging machine with solutions such as the SP600 Screw Press and the new SP UltraFilter demonstrates how different processing steps can work together to achieve a higher-quality end product.

For Smicon, this confirms that the market is no longer limited to the question “What is unpacking?”, but is increasingly focused on “How can an unpacking machine improve my process?”