As of June 2011

RETech - Export Initiative Recycling and Efficiency Technologies

Export of waste management concepts, services and installations "Made in Germany"

The market for environmental technologies will be a major one in the future. Global ecological needs are increasingly turning into economic demand. German technologies, concepts and services are contributing to the establishment and further development of a functioning, efficient closed cycle management in many countries. At the same time, this sector holds considerable potential for the protection of the environment, climate and resources, but also for economic growth and jobs. For this reason, the German government supports the transfer of environmental expertise and technology in a number of areas.

The Federal Environment Ministry's Export Initiative Recycling and Efficiency Technologies (RETech) is an element in the scheme to support international activities of the German recycling and waste management industry. RETech encourages transparency and harmonisation of the diverse activities of exporters, foreign trade, research support and development cooperation in the area of closed cycle management. The aim of the initiative is to promote the development of sustainable waste management systems internationally. This is to be achieved by assisting foreign partners in raising their waste management standards and establishing positive business models which contribute to climate and resource protection.

Fundamental aspects of the RETech Initiative are

• the provision of an information portal www.retech-germany.de, operated by Germany Trade and Invest GmbH (GTaI) based in Bonn and
• • the establishment of a contact point RETech, which is supported by
  • the Federal Environment Agency (UBA),
  • the Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs- Wasser- und Rohstoffwirtschaft - BDE (Federation of the German Waste, Water and Raw Materials Management Industry ),
  • Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung - bvse (Federation of secondary raw materials and disposal),
  • the Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau - VDMA (Federation of German mechanical engineering) and
  • the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Abfallwirtschaft - DGAW (German society for waste management).

The contact point provides information to German companies and institutions regarding activities in the recycling and waste management sectors abroad. It also informs stakeholders abroad about Germany's closed cycle management. The contact point allows for a swift access to a comprehensive pool of experts, the network of the RETech Initiative.

Further information:

• Summary of the Federal Environment Ministry's Initiative Recycling and Efficiency Technologies (RETech)
• www.cleaner-production.de: Portal for transfer of environmental technologies