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Germany's environmental technologies industry is expected to reach a higher sales volume than automotive or mechanical engineering by 2020. The German environmental technology industry has an internationally leading position, particularly in the fields of air pollution control, noise mitigation and recycling.

In addition to traditional services in the areas of waste management and water resources management, the field of environmental technologies includes all technological products and processes that promote a sustainable and forward-looking economic orientation. The efficient and sustainable use of natural resources and the minimization of harmful effects on the environment are declared goals in German research and development. The relevant fields of technology in this context are   

• environmental protection,
• air pollution control,
• water conservation and water resources management,
• waste management,
• soil conservation and the
• protection of limited resources.

With the context of the “German Initiative for Partnership in Green Technologies” the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) has supported German research institutions, competence networks and companies which are especially strong in these research fields from May 2008 until October 2009.