Leading St. Petersburg companies specializing in water supply, wastewater management, and environmental technologies will present their latest developments at IFAT Africa — the continent’s largest environmental exhibition — in Johannesburg, South Africa. The collective exhibition is organized by the Committee for Industrial Policy, Innovation and Trade of St. Petersburg. The participation of
St. Petersburg in IFAT Africa is especially significant due to the sister-city relationship established between St. Petersburg and Johannesburg in 2001. This partnership opens additional opportunities for professional dialogue and joint projects in the fields of water management and ecological technologies.

The central event of the delegation’s participation will be the official opening ceremony of the St. Petersburg stand, taking place on July 8 at 12:30 at the Gallagher Convention Centre (Stand B035, Hall 3). The stand will showcase advanced Russian technologies in water resource management, including innovative solutions for water purification, wastewater treatment, and sludge processing. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the latest innovations, hold business meetings, and engage directly with representatives of St. Petersburg companies and industry experts.

Following the official opening, a roundtable discussion “South Africa - Saint Petersburg (Russia) Economic Cooperation Dialogue” will take place at 13:00 at the “Gallagher 3” hall, initiated by the Committee and supported by the Trade Mission of the Russian Federation in South Africa and the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The roundtable will bring together representatives of South African and Russian water sector institutions to discuss the expansion of economic cooperation between St. Petersburg and the Republic of South Africa, export opportunities for St. Petersburg companies, conditions and formats for market entry, possibilities for localization and technology partnership, as well as the establishment of direct business contacts and potential collaborative projects.

Later that day, at 15:15, a panel discussion titled "Water Resource Management: Innovative Technologies for Water Treatment, Wastewater Purification, and Sludge Disposal" will take place at the Open Stage of the Gallagher Convention Centre.
The session will bring together participants from the St. Petersburg collective exposition alongside leading experts from South Africa’s water sector, including:

• Vodokanal of St. Petersburg – the city's main water utility, responsible for water supply and wastewater treatment;
• Rand Water – a state-owned enterprise providing centralized water supply across the provinces of Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, and North West;
• Water Research Commission (WRC) – a public research agency conducting scientific studies and developing innovative water solutions in South Africa;
• Overberg Water – a regional water utility in the Western Cape Province.

The discussion will highlight breakthrough technologies developed by St. Petersburg companies, prospects for international cooperation in modernizing water infrastructure, and an exchange of best practices in addressing sectoral challenges. The panel aims to define key trends and identify opportunities for joint initiatives.

Throughout all three days of the exhibition, the St. Petersburg stand will host company presentations and business meetings with potential partners.

The official delegation includes key enterprises from the city:

• VODOKANAL OF ST. PETERSBURG – a leader in urban water infrastructure and wastewater treatment;
• TFBE – specializing in the protection and restoration of concrete structures for hydraulic facilities;
• VIBRO-LASER (under the KSK-SYSTEMS trademark) – a developer of advanced engineering solutions for water supply systems;
• NAECO – a brand focused on marine ecology research;
• IZUMRUD Scientific and Production Enterprise LLC – an innovator in water purification systems;
• VZLJOT GROUP – a manufacturer of metering equipment for water utilities;
• APVELL LLC – an expert in water treatment technologies;
• EXIMO LLC – a supplier of equipment for the treatment of industrial wastewater;

Participation in IFAT Africa 2025 will allow St. Petersburg companies to demonstrate their competitive advantages in a rapidly growing African market, where solutions in rational water use, wastewater treatment, and environmental protection are in high demand.
As part of the business program, meetings with regional government and business representatives are also planned.