Düsseldorf is once again the Mecca for the international foundry and metallurgy industry. Traditionally, the leading trade fairs GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST take place simultaneously every four years. This edition is also strongly driven in terms of its approach by the themes of ecoMetals, decarbonization and circular economy. An energy-intensive industry driving the search for sustainable solutions.
More than 2,000 exhibitors from over 50 countries populate the 12 halls of the Düsseldorf show floor.
The hot topics at "The Bright World of Metals" are: the decarbonization of the metallurgical industry, ecoMetals, circular economy, additive manufacturing processes, e-mobility and lightweight structures in the automotive industry. Malte Seifert is Director of Metals, Energy and Autonomous Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, and put it this way during the introductory press event: "With the EU's 2050 climate goals as a backdrop, the metallurgy industry is forging the iron when it's hot right now and needs a strong communication platform for global information exchange more than ever before. Feedback from exhibitors shows, that the June meeting at the four technology trade fairs will be an absolute highlight. Virtually all renowned companies will be present to engage in that much-needed transformation with their groundbreaking innovations and ideas."
If anything, the visitor structure further highlights the international nature of the fair combination: more than half of the fair guests come from overseas and all over Europe.
The ecoMetals campaign has been a recurring, regular feature of the "Bright World of Metals" since 2011. An initiative for greater sustainability, the campaign focuses on the ecological direction that foundries and metalworking industries need to take. In fact, it challenges exhibitors to invest in innovative, sustainable technologies. Trade show visitors can recognize these environmentally conscious innovations at the booths and online by the ecoMetals logo. They will be guided to the selected exhibitors at GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCES and NEWCAST by daily free guided tours - the so-called ecoMetals Trails. At the ecoMetals Forum in Hall 9, the main topics of the transformation of the metals industry will be discussed on June 15 and 16, 2023.
As the world's leading trade fair for the foundry industry, GIFA's offerings cover all aspects of forward-looking innovations. In June, the exhibition audience can look forward to a diverse range of foundry machines, castings, machine tools, robotic technology, 3D printing and much more. Environmental and resource savings and energy efficiency play an important role. In addition, GIFA offers a comprehensive trade program with special exhibitions, lectures, podium discussions, presentation and events, bringing together participants from all over the world. Around 900 exhibitors from all manufacturing-strong countries will present their offerings in halls 10 to 13 and 15 to 17. International market leaders, including ASK Chemicals (Germany), FOSECO (Germany), Heinrich Wagner Sinto (Germany), Hüttenes Albertus (Germany), Oskar Frech (Germany), Kuka Deutschland GmbH and Loramendi S. Coop (Spain) have already signed up. Major country pavilions from China and Italy are also in attendance.
For this you need to be in halls 13 and 14, where some 400 -strong exhibitors will make it clear how global the production of castings anno 2023 has become. Themes such as sustainability and energy efficiency are also recurring ingredients here. All major market leaders will be there: Gießerei Heunisch (Germany), Eisenwerk Brühl (Germany), Kutes Metal San. (Turkey), Thoni Alutec (Poland) and Waupaca Foundry (USA) are there. In addition, Fritz Winter Eisengießerei GmbH & Co. KG, Gienanth Sales GmbH, Grohmann Aluworks GmbH & Co. KG, Grunewald GmbH & Co. KG, La Fonte Ardennaise S.A. and Siempelkamp Giesserei GmbH. You can also count on large country pavilions from China, India, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico and Turkey.
The international metallurgy trade fair will also be able to build on the success of 2019 for its eleventh edition: more than 500 exhibitors from all over the world will present their plants for the production of pig iron, steel and NE metals in Halls 1, 4 and 5. Equipment and components for metallurgy, rolling and steel mills will also be featured. Forged parts are additionally presented at METEC. With names such as Dihag Holding (Germany), Inteco (Austria), Primetals Technologies Ltd. (UK), Vesuvius (Belgium), SMS Group (Germany), Tenova S.P.A. (Italy) and Sinosteel (China), it is impossible to pass by.
With a foreign participation of around 60 percent and around 300 exhibitors, the 13th edition of THERMPROCESS is by far among the world's leading trade fairs. Popping names such as Aichelin (Germany), Ajax Tocco Magnethermic GmbH (Germany), ABP Induction Systems GmbH (Germany), Electrotherm (Germany), Honeywell Thermal Solutions - Elster GmbH (Germany), Inductotherm Europe Ltd (UK), Otto Junker (Germany), Seco/Warwick Europe (Poland) and WS Wärmeprozesstechnik (Germany) showcase technological trends in the field of industrial furnaces and industrial heat treatment systems. You can also visit for thermal processes on precious metals, carbide, ceramics, steel and iron.
Here, the manufacture of products without an ecological footprint is overwhelmingly the common thread throughout the entire exhibition offerings. ■