Bright World of Metals trade fair quartet focuses on ecoMetals, decarbonisation and circular economy

From 12 to 16 June 2023 Düsseldorf will become the centre for the international casting and metallurgical industries: the world’s leading trade fairs GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST, which are held every four years and together cover the complete spectrum of foundry technology, castings, metallurgy and thermo process technology, are particularly in demand in the energy-intensive sectors this year as current challenges fuel digitalisation in the metal technology sector and its search for sustainable and forward-looking solutions.

More than 2,000 exhibitors from over 50 countries will pick up global trends and showcase the complete spectrum of current technologies and products in twelve exhibition halls. The Hot Topics of the Bright World of Metals read: decarbonisation of the metallurgical industry, ecoMetals, circular economy, digitalisation, additive manufacturing processes as well as e-mobility and lightweight automotive construction.

“In view of the current industry environment we are in for forward-looking GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST editions. The EU’s Climate Protection Plan 2050 will test the “mettle” of the metallurgical industry so it needs a strong communication platform for worldwide exchange more than ever. The exhibitors’ feedback shows that the get-together in June at the four technology trade fairs will prove an absolute highlight. Next to top-notch brands such as Heinrich Wagner Sinto, Oskar Frech, Vesuvius for GIFA, Dihag Holding, Primemetals, SMS group (METEC), Heunisch, Kutes Metal, Thoni Alutec (NEWCAST), or Aichelin, Electrotherm and WS Wärmeprozesstechnik (THERMPROCESS) virtually all well-known companies will be represented in Düsseldorf to tackle the big transformation with ground-breaking innovations and ideas,” explains Malte Seifert, Director of GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, and adds: “The relaxation of travel restrictions in Asian regions has provided an additional boost to exhibitor registrations. So, trade visitors can again look forward to the accustomed, broad international attendance at the four trade fairs this year.”

The Bright World of Metals lives up to its prestigious name not only in terms of exhibitors but also in view of its visitor structure: experience shows that more than half the trade fair guests come from overseas and throughout Europe.

ecoMetals – the path into the future

Forming an integral part of the Bright World of Metals since 2011, Messe Düsseldorf’s ecoMetals Campaign will be a special highlight of the trade fair quartet. As an initiative promoting sustainability, it refers to the ecological path of the casting and metallurgical industries and promotes exhibiting companies that invest in innovative, sustainable and economically competitive technologies. Trade visitors can identify the eco-conscious innovations by the ecoMetals logo displayed at exhibition stands and on the online portal. At GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST visitors will be directed to the selected exhibitors by complimentary daily guided tours – the ecoMetals Trails.

With new technologies, new processes for reducing and avoiding CO2, with the increased use of renewable energies and hydrogen instead of coal, The Bright World of Metals is on a green path to a climate-neutral future. At the ecoMetals Forum in Hall 9 the key transformation themes in the metal industry will be addressed on 15 and 16 June 2023.

GIFA: Trade Fair for Foundry Technology

Being the world’s most relevant trade fair for the foundry industry, GIFA covers all aspects of forward-looking innovations with its ranges. In June the trade audience can look forward to a varied line-up comprising foundry machinery, cast parts, machine tools, robotics, 3D printing and lots more. Environmental protection and resource savings as well as energy efficiency will play a prominent role here. Furthermore, GIFA will offer an extensive accompanying programme with Special Shows, lectures, discussions, presentations and events bringing together participants from all over the world. 900 exhibitors from all high-production countries will be featured in Halls 10 to 13 and 15 to 17. World market leaders such as ASK Chemicals (Germany), FOSECO (Germany), Heinrich Wagner Sinto (Germany), Hüttenes Albertus (Germany), Oskar Frech (Germany), Kuka Deutschland GmbH, or Loramendi S. Coop (Spain) have already registered. Also represented will be large joint stands from China and Italy.

NEWCAST: high international attendance

At the 6th International Trade Fair for Castings with Newcast Forum some 400 exhibitors in Halls 13 and 14 will demonstrate just how global the production of castings has become. Here, too, sustainability and energy efficiency are an integral part of the ranges. Market leaders such as Gießerei Heunisch (Germany), Eisenwerk Brühl (Germany), Kutes Metal San. (Turkey), Thoni Alutec (Poland) and Waupaca Foundry (USA) join the fray. Also represented: Fritz Winter Eisengießerei GmbH & Co. KG, Gienanth Sales GmbH, Grohmann Aluworks GmbH & Co. KG, Grunewald GmbH & Co. KG, La Fonte Ardennaise S.A., Siempelkamp Giesserei GmbH. Also, very striking are the large national pavilions from China, India, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico and Turkey.

METEC: on course for success at its eleventh edition

The International Metallurgical Trade Fair with Congresses will also follow on from its success in 2019 with its eleventh edition: more than 500 exhibitors from throughout the world will showcase plants for pig iron, steel or NF-metal production and/or for steel casting and forming as well as equipment and components for steel, rolling mills as well as steelworks in Halls 1, 4 and 5. Forged parts will also be on display at METEC. The list of exhibitors features amongst others: Dihag Holding (Germany), Inteco (Austria), Primetals Technologies Ltd. (UK), Vesuvius (Belgium), SMS Group (Germany), Tenova S.P.A. (Italy) and Sinosteel (China).

Industry giants at THERMPROCESS

At some 60 % foreign participation and approximately 300 exhibitors, the 13th THERMPROCESS also counts among the world’s leading trade fairs and is a must-go event in the sector’s agenda. This is also reflected by the current registration level with many major industry players: 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) will exhibit technology trends related to industrial furnaces, industrial thermal treatment systems and thermal processes for precious metals, hard metals, ceramics, steel, and iron as well as construction elements and equipment, operating and auxiliary materials for this segment. Manufacturing products without any carbon footprint is a vision – the thermo process sector and its upstream suppliers will jointly have their sights on this at the trade fair.