ISWA is happy to announce the ISWA Austria Study Tour focused on Waste-to-Energy in 2026.
The incineration of waste fractions, which cannot reasonably be subjected to recycling, is one of several essential columns of any well-working, modern, and ecologically sound waste management system. Combustible waste is a valuable fuel, considering that the calorific value of municipal solid waste is similar to lignite, while waste plastic fractions can even reach the calrofic value of hard coal. Waste-to-Energy (WtE) makes use of these valuable alternative fuels by producing electricity, process steam, district heating and/or district cooling from them. If being planned and operated according to the best available techniques (BAT), Waste-to-Energy contributes significantly and in several ways to environmental protection and to climate change mitigation. Therefore, Waste-to-Energy is still gaining importance and will be even more broadly implemented on all continents than in the past.
Austria is a model country in terms of waste management in general and of Waste-to-Energy technology in particular, which has been operated in Austria in compliance with best technological and environmental state-of-the-art for more than 60 years.
Your 5 benefits of attending this unique practice-oriented study tour:
1. Theory: seminars held by senior experts and plant managers
2. Behind-the-scenes: visits to plants and facilities where Waste-to-Energy takes place at a state-of-the-art level
3. Hands-on experience: become well-prepared for starting a career in the field, by gaining a survey of the relevant aspects as well as by knowing to which details to attend to
4. Put theory into practice: discuss the requirements and individual situation in your country and get solution-orientated inputs from experts
5. Networking: time for discussion and exchange of experiences
The objective of the Study Tour is to provide to the participants in-depth knowledge of Waste-to-Energy plants. Starting with the basics of waste properties and chemical reactions, the participants will gain expertise in all incineration technology, energy recovery, mitigation techniques, mechanical pre-treatment of waste, residues recovery and treatment, environmental impact, carbon capture, legal framework, contracting, pricing, project communication and public acceptance. Renowned experts from renowned companies in the fields, from ISWA Austria and ISWA’s Working Group on Energy Recovery (WGER), and from the municipality of Vienna’s waste department will share their knowledge with the study group. The theoretical input will be complemented by excursions to several Waste-to-Energy installations, where the participants will not only be introduced to state-of-the-art technology, but will also have the opportunity to discuss their questions with plant managers.
(Copyright: UVP GmbH)
LECTURE AND WORKSHOP TOPICS
FACILITIES AND PLANT VISITS
- Basics of Waste Incineration
- EU Legal Framework and BREF WI
- Regulations in other countries
- Incineration technology
- Energy recovery
- How to set up a well-working waste management system
- Best practice example: Waste management and WtE in the city of Vienna
- Public acceptance
- Environmental Protection – Mitigation technology
- Environmental Protection – Regulatory and operational aspects
- Residues recovery and treatment
- ISWA WGER
- Round Table Waste Management (Country perspectives)
- Contracting, Pricing of WtE Projects
- WtE and CCUS
- MSWI Pfaffenau (grate)
- MSWI Spittelau (grate)
- Norske Skog, Bruck/Mur, Styria (BFB incinerator)
- More site visits to be confirmed at a later stage
THE PROGRAMME
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Please note that the schedule is subject to change and we will notify registered participants about any changes made.
Sunday, 14 June 2026
Recommended arrival date for all participants, informal welcome reception held at the hotel.
Monday, 15 June 2026
Seminar in Vienna and a site visit: overview of the EU Legal Framework and BREF WI, Basics of Waste Incineration, Regulations in other countries, Incineration technology and an afternoon visit to the MSWI Pfaffenau, with evening at own leisure.
Tuesday, 16 June 2026
Seminar in Vienna on Energy Recovery, an afternoon site visit to MSWI Spittelau and evening at own leisure.
Wednesday, 17 June 2026
On Tour to Bruck/Mur with full day site visits and evening at own leisure.
Thursday, 18 June 2026
Seminar in Vienna with Environmental Protection sessions (Mitigation technology, Regulatory and operational aspects, Residues recovery and treatment) and evening at own leisure.
Friday, 19 June 2026
Presentations from:
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ISWA Working Group on Energy Recovery
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Round Table ‘Waste Management’ (country perspectives)
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Contracting, Pricing of WtE projects
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WtE and CCUS
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Closing session and hand-out of certificates in the afternoon. Recommended departure date (evening) for participants.
(Copyright: MA 48)
IMPRESSION FROM PREVIOUS STUDY TOURS
LOGISTICS
Dates: 15 – 19 June 2026 in Vienna, Austria. Introduction call for registered participants in May 2026.
Venue:
Multiple locations in Austria. Introduction call will be held online via Teams.
Accommodation
Part of the registration fee is a 5 night hotel room stay.
14 – 19 June – Hotel Regina – Kremslehner Hotels
If you would like to arrive earlier or stay longer, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can look into booking additional nights with a negotiated rate. Participants will be accommodated in comfortable, single room hotels with breakfast and WiFi.
Arrival and departure dates
Recommended date of arrival: Sunday, 14 June 2026 (welcome reception at hotel)
Recommended date of departure: Friday (evening) 19 or Saturday, 20 June 2026 (closing ceremony in afternoon)
STUDY TOUR LEADER
Helga Stoiber
Senior Partner UVP Environmental
Helga Stoiber holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Technology in Vienna, Austria.
She specialized in fluidized bed technology, with a Master Thesis on continuous CO2 adsorption in a fluidized bed reactor (1993) and a PhD Thesis on the pyrolysis of plastics in an internally circulating fluidized bed reactor (1998). In 1993, she had an ERASMUS scholarship at EMSE Ecole des Mines de St. Étienne, France, where she joined a research project for wastewater analysis. In 2018, Helga Stoiber became a self-employed consulting engineer and Senior Partner with UVP Environmental Management and Engineering GmbH in Vienna, holding the professional qualification for an engineering office in the field of Technical Chemistry / Process Engineering, Environmental Engineering and Waste Management. She is an experiences trainer, moderator, and a trained systemic business coach.
Her work experience includes the following positions:
1999 – 2003: Project engineer in environmental consulting
2003 – 2005: Process engineer with fluidized bed incinerator supplier AE&E Austrian Energy & Environment (now part of Andritz). For 6 months, she participated in hot commissioning of a 40 MW bubbling fluidized-bed waste incinerator, as the responsible boiler operator in the control room on behalf of the supplier.
2005 – 2018: Expert for waste incineration in the Industry & Energy Department of the Austrian Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt). In 2014-2018, she participated in the review of the EU Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document on Waste Incineration (BREF WI) as delegated National Austrian Expert. In this role, she co-ordinated the national position of Austrian waste incinerators and regulatory authorities and negotiated it on EU level in the Technical Working Group of the Sevilla Process.
PRICING & REGISTRATION
Register for the ISWA study tour by selecting one of the ticket options below.
Early bird fees will be available until 15 February 2026.
Overall registration will close 30 April 2026.
- Registration fees include accommodation with breakfast from 14 – 19 June 2026, course participation, course materials, refreshments, lunch and a welcome dinner on 14 June 2026, as well as transportation and visits to the waste treatment plants.
- 21% VAT is applicable to the fees and is mentioned clearly when it is included.
- Online ISWA memberships do not allow for the discounted fee.
- Upon registration, participants accept all arrangements by ISWA, ISWA Austria and UVP. The organisers do not assume liability during field demonstrations and technical visits. Travel health insurance is advisable. The programme may be subject to change. Participants will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Scholarships for low/low-middle income economies
- Two participants maximum from low-income economies (according to the current World Bank list) may receive a 50% discount on the registration fee, based on the regular registration fee (also if registering during the Early Bird fee period).
- Two participants maximum from lower-middle-income economies (according to the current World Bank list) may receive a 20% discount on the registration fee, based on the regular registration fee (also if registering during the Early Bird fee period).
Please submit a short bio (not more than 300 words) and a one-page paragraph on why you would like to participate in the ISWA Austria Study Tour and how it may help your career to Helga Stoiber at events@iswa.org.
Cancellation Policy
ISWA reserves the right to cancel the course if the minimum number of participants is not reached.
Minimum number of participants: 16
Registration may be transferred to a nominated representative. Any cancellation of registration must be submitted in writing to ISWA by e-mail: events@iswa.org. In case of cancellation of a registrant, the below cancellation rules apply.
Cancellation and refund will be subject to the following conditions:
- Cancellation until 1 April 2026: 50% refund
- Cancellation until 20 April 2026: 10% refund
- Cancellation after 20 April 2026 or “no show”: No refund
In case of cancellation of the study tour due to unforeseeable events including pandemic regulations:
- ISWA will refund the registration fee but no other costs incurred prior to cancellation. Bank transfer costs will be deducted from any refund.
Early Bird - Non- Member Registration
- available until 15 February 2026. This price does not include 21% VAT.
Early Bird - ISWA Member Registration
- Available until 15 February 2026. This price does not include 21% VAT.
Regular Registration
- available until 30 April 2026. This price does not include 21% VAT.
ISWA Member Registration
- Available until 30 April. This price does not include 21% VAT.
See you in Austria!
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I receive a letter of invitation?
If you require a VISA to enter Austria we can provide you with a letter of invitation confirming your registration for the study tour. Please send an email to events@iswa.org to request a letter of invitation. Please note that we do not provide letters of invitation before a confirmed and paid registration and we advise to check with the embassy in your country for how much time you need to apply, proceed and obtain your visa.
Will I receive a certificate of participation?
Yes, you will receive a certificate of participation at the end study tour.
Are scholarships available?
- Two participants maximum from low-income economies (according to the current World Bank list) may receive a 50% discount on the registration fee, based on the regular registration fee (also if registering during the Early Bird fee period).
- Two participants maximum from lower-middle-income economies (according to the current World Bank list) may receive a 20% discount on the registration fee, based on the regular registration fee (also if registering during the Early Bird fee period).
Please submit a short bio (not more than 300 words) and a one-page paragraph on why you would like to participate in the ISWA Austria Study Tour and how it may help your career to Helga Stoiber Helga.Stoiber@uvp.at.
How can I indicate my dietary requirements?
The registration form has the option to provide us with your dietary requirements, please indicate them there or send and email to events@iswa.org.
CONTACT US
Get in touch if you have any questions or comments.
Daphne de Leeuw
International Event Manager ISWA
Contact Daphne for registration matters or to cancel registration
Email: events@iswa.org
Phone number: +31 (0)10 808 3990
Helga Stoiber
Senior Partner at UVP Environmental Management
Contact Helga Stoiber for questions on the program, location & infrastructure.
Email: Helga.Stoiber@uvp.at