Approximately 2,200 exhibitors from 56 countries presented the power of the metallurgical industry and set forward-looking impulses with their machines, plants and solutions. Sustainability and Artificial Intelligence were much-discussed topics in the twelve exhibition halls of the four world-leading trade fairs.
Investment, also in challenging times for the global economy, spontaneously successful business deals as well as a vivid exchange amongst all parties involved characterised the dynamic atmosphere on the entire fairgrounds.
78 % of visitors are planning concrete investment over the next two years
“Especially in times of sustainable change it is as important as ever to be present here in Düsseldorf and in direct exchange with industry players in order to demonstrate strength in a forward-looking market environment. With their international appeal and high-quality trade audience GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST provided excellent opportunities to do so,” says Bernd Jablonowski, Executive Director at Messe Düsseldorf, summing up the results of the trade fairs.
GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST proved again even more internationality in terms of both exhibitors and visitors: 76 % of the exhibiting companies came from abroad. For visitors this percentage stood at 69 % with a large share from Asia and overseas. “Trade fair at last!” was a sentence frequently heard in the halls, because after four years the international community was able to network again face to face. This underlines the very positive mood in the exhibition halls.
“GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST are covering almost the entire international market,” says Malte Seifert, Director Messe Düsseldorf. The demand for European metallurgy and foundry technology is especially high overseas – and here particularly in India, the USA and China. This is also reflected by the international ranking of countries: here India and the growing market Turkey rank first – followed by Italy, China and France. “This high international attendance on both the exhibitors’ and visitors’ part is a key guarantee for the success of the Bright World of Metals making this trade fair quartet so unique. For metal and foundry professionals from all over the world GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST are an absolute ‘must’,” adds Seifert.
Industrial transformation as a ‘signpost’
Current market developments, enormous challenges such as (skilled) labour shortage, extremely high energy costs that are putting a special burden on German companies, but also the opportunities that the energy transition is bringing – there was a plethora of dominating topics featured at the Bright World of Metals. Possible solutions such as the introduction of an internationally competitive electricity price for industry, for example, were discussed on the first day of the trade fair in a top-level talk between the leading minds in the industry and Mona Neubaur, Minister of Economy, Industry, Climate Protection, and Energy in North Rhine-Westphalia. These topics also determined the lecture programme of the forums and conferences accompanying the trade fairs. The need for digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence, the will to achieve sustainability as well as changed manufacturing processes are all an expression of the transformation in the energy-intensive industries.
Many ideas and trending themes for a sustainable future
The focus of the Bright World of Metals on the four key subjects sustainability, digitalisation, circular economy and new production technologies determined activities in the exhibition halls and at the side events – such as the conferences and many ecoMetals formats.
Some 20 metallurgical industry players participated in Messe Düsseldorf’s ecoMetals campaign. Since 2011 Messe Düsseldorf has already supported changing the image of energy-intensive industries towards more sustainability. The fact that the exhibitors at GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST are not only innovative, but are also increasingly producing in an energy-efficient and resource-saving manner, could be experienced live at the ecoMetals Trails.
The opportunities and chances on the path towards a green transformation were also discussed at the ecoMetals Forum in Hall 9. The Forum was organised by VDMA Metallurgy and Messe Düsseldorf for the first time with great success.
In addition to numerous lectures and expert panels on the live stages in the exhibition halls, interviews were broadcast live from the ecoMetals TV studio on all days of the trade fair, giving the trends additional reach through digital live streams.
The next Bright World of Metals comprising the leading trade fairs GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST will feature on the agenda in 2027; the exact dates will be announced over the next few months.
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