Dutch water expertise gains presence in Brazil

The 2020 Sanitation Law of Brazil aims to improve water related infrastructure and expanding sanitation services throughout the country with the goal of achieving universal water provision by the end of 2033. This new framework brings increased opportunities for privatisation and long-term investment and, consequently, a rapid development of the Brazilian sanitation sector over the next decade is expected.

Dutch companies, especially technology supplies, are aware of the potential market that Brazil represents. Therefore, when IFAT Brasil was announced last year, many of them showed interest in the fair. The Netherlands Water Partnership (NWP), frequent host of the Netherlands booth, set the wheel in motion and secured the space for a Netherlands Lounge at the Innovation Pavilion by partnering with its host Isle Utilities, one of the world's largest consultants in the field of innovation in the water sector and a trusted partner for water utilities in Mexico, Colombia, Chile and Brazil for more than 10 years.

In total, 11 Dutch organisations participated in the Lounge – 6 onsite and 5 digitally. These were: Azzuro, Bluecon, Dutch Clean Tech, HULO, LG Sonic, MTD, MVRDV, NWP, Royal HaskoningDHV, Solaq, and SOLiSENZ.

“The location and the set-up were very nice and there was plenty of space for visitors to walk around the booths,” says Sergio Ribeiro, Sales Director Brazil Water Technology Products at Royal HaskoningDHV.

Technology Innovation Award

In addition to one-on-one conversations with fair visitors at the Lounge, LG Sonic, MTD, SOLiSENZ and Royal HaskoningDHV, participated in the Technology Innovation Award that Isle Utilities celebrated at the Innovation Pavilion on 24 April. The four companies were invited to the stage for a hands-on presentation before a live audience and a jury. LG Sonic’s Account Manager Marineuza M. Cabral and her presentation on algae control and monitoring were honoured with the Award. 

“This prestigious recognition celebrates our leadership in water treatment innovation and highlights the global success and reliability of our solutions,” published LG Sonic. 

NWP team and the Deputy Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in São Paulo, Vasco Rodrigues, also shared a few words with the audience on how both NWP and the Consulate can support organisations interested in meeting with potential business partners and doing business together.

The award ceremony was followed by a network reception at the Netherlands Lounge sponsored by the Netherlands Consulate General in São Paulo.

Great performance for a first edition

The arrival of IFAT to Brazil created big expectations in the international water sector and according to the numbers reported by the organisers, there is no denying that IFAT Brasil was a big success. This three-day event has delivered an exhibition area of more than 11,000 square meters; more than 160 exhibiting companies from 16 countries; more than 20,000 visitors from about 50 countries; and, more than 70 hours of content with more than 100 experts. 

The buzz and international attention that IFAT has created around Brazil’s water related needs can certainly boost an emerging market for environmental technologies in Brazil and throughout the region.

IFAT Brasil 2025

The next IFAT Brasil will be held in the first half of 2025. Organisations keen on repeating this IFAT adventure next year, or eager to join in for the first time, can contact NWP event teams at events@nwp.nl to be informed of the possibilities of participating in a new Netherlands space in the fair.