Outstanding results, high-level discussions and a great atmosphere at the Bright World of Metals in Düsseldorf

• Exhibitors report numerous contracts signed;
  78 per cent of visitors are planning specific investments
• The quartet of trade fairs impresses with 69 per cent international attendance, including strong participation from overseas (31 per cent)
• Topics relating to the global energy transition dominate GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST

After five eventful days, the world’s leading trade fairs GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST have significantly exceeded expectations. 63,300 visitors from 114 countries – 58 per cent of whom were decision-makers – travelled to Düsseldorf for the Bright World of Metals. Around 2,200 exhibitors from 56 countries showcased the power of the metallurgical industry with their machinery, plant and solutions, and provided forward-looking impetus. Sustainability and artificial intelligence were hot topics of discussion across the twelve exhibition halls.

Investments – even in challenging times for the global economy – spontaneous business deals and a lively exchange between all participants characterised the dynamic atmosphere across the entire exhibition grounds. Indeed, 78 per cent of visitors are planning specific investments over the next two years.

“Particularly in times of sustainable change, it is more important than ever to fly the flag here in Düsseldorf and engage in direct dialogue with industry players in order to demonstrate strength in a market environment that is setting the pace. GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST, with their international appeal and the high calibre of the trade visitors, provided the best opportunities for this,” said Bernd Jablonowski, Executive Director at Messe Düsseldorf, summing up the trade fairs at their conclusion.

Both in terms of exhibitors and visitors, GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST once again saw a rise in their international profile: 76 per cent of exhibiting companies came from abroad. Among visitors, the proportion stood at 69 per cent, with a large share coming from Asia and overseas. “Finally, a trade fair again!” was a phrase often heard in the halls, as after four years the international community was finally able to exchange ideas in person. This underlines the very positive atmosphere in the exhibition halls.

“GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST cover virtually the entire international market,” said Malte Seifert, Director of Messe Düsseldorf. Demand for European metallurgy and foundry technology is particularly high overseas – especially in India, the USA and China. This is also reflected in the international country ranking: India and the growth market of Turkey top the list – followed by Italy, China and France. “This high level of international participation among exhibitors and visitors is a key factor in the success of the Bright World of Metals and is what makes this quartet of trade fairs so unique. For metal and foundry professionals from all over the world, GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST are an absolute must,” says Seifert.

Industrial transformation as a guiding principle

Current market developments, enormous challenges such as labour and skills shortages, and extremely high energy costs – which are placing a particular strain on German companies – as well as the opportunities brought about by the energy transition: there was no shortage of forward-looking topics at Bright World of Metals. Potential solutions, such as the introduction of an internationally competitive industrial electricity price, were discussed on the first day of the trade fair during a high-level roundtable between key industry leaders and Mona Neubaur, Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy in North Rhine-Westphalia. This topic also shaped the programme of talks at the forums and conferences held alongside the trade fair. The need for digitalisation and the use of artificial intelligence, the commitment to sustainability, and changes to production processes are all signs of the transformation taking place in energy-intensive industries.

Many ideas and trending topics for a sustainable future

Bright World of Metals’ focus on the four key themes of sustainability, digitalisation, the circular economy and new production technologies shaped the events in the exhibition halls and the accompanying programme – such as the conferences and numerous ecoMetals formats.

Around 20 key players from the metallurgical industry took part in Messe Düsseldorf’s ecoMetals campaign. Since 2011, Messe Düsseldorf has been supporting a shift in the image of energy-intensive industries towards greater sustainability. The ecoMetals Trails offered a live demonstration of how exhibitors at GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST are not only innovative but are also increasingly producing in ways that are energy-efficient and resource-conserving.

The opportunities and possibilities on the path towards a “green transformation” were discussed at the ecoMetals Forum in Hall 9. The forum was organised for the first time by VDMA Metallurgy and Messe Düsseldorf with great success.

In addition to numerous presentations and panel discussions on the live stages in the exhibition halls, interviews were also held in the ecoMetals TV studio on every day of the fair, giving the trends additional reach through live digital streams.

The next Bright World of Metals, featuring the flagship trade fairs GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST, is scheduled for 2027; the exact date will be announced in the coming months.  

Further links:

Editorial video reports:

https://www.m4online.de/mhoch4/messe/index/12/0#items&gsc.tab=0

Editorial audio reports:

https://dhd-news.de/messeddf/event/953/gifa-metec-thermprocess-newcast-2023

Exhibitor testimonials and further information on the portals:

www.gifa.de, www.metec.de, www.thermprocess.de, www.newcast.de

GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS, NEWCAST 2023

Larissa Browa
Tel: +49 (0)211-4560 549
BrowaL@messe-duesseldorf.de

Theresa Oswald
Tel: +49 (0)211-4560 7173
OswaldT@messe-duesseldorf.de