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IVS - INDUSTRIAL VALVE SUMMIT: presented the sixth edition of the event

The leading Summit for the industrial valve and flow control industry returns, scheduled at the Bergamo Exhibition Centre, in Italy, from May 19th to 21st, 2026A new record in exhibitors has been reached, with 416 companies (+30% vs. 2024), including nearly 100 international firms (+56%)Two additional halls bring the total to four, an extra exhibition day, and a 30% increase in technical-scientific conferences, covering frontier topics such as AI, hydrogen, renewables, CCUS and nuclear, both next-generation and conventionalA preview of the IVS-Prometeia Observatory “The Oil & Gas Valve Industry in Italy” 2026 was presentedThe press conference presenting the sixth edition of IVS - Industrial Valve Summit, the leading international event dedicated to industrial valve technologies and flow control solutions, was held in Milan. The event, promoted by Servizi Confindustria Bergamo and Promoberg, will take place at the Bergamo Exhibition Centre, in Italy, from May 19th to 21st, 2026.IVS 2026 marks a further step forward in the event’s growth trajectory: Summit organizers anticipate record figures, starting with participating companies. A total of 416 exhibitors (+30% vs. 2024) from 20 countries will attend: alongside Italy, Spain, Germany, France, the UK, the USA, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Finland, Ireland, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and the UAE. The international component is expanding significantly, with around 100 companies (+56%), representing the highest foreign participation ever recorded.The exhibition layout at the Bergamo Exhibition Centre will expand with two additional halls, bringing the total to four and reaching a surface area of 21,400 square meters - approximately 40% larger than the previous edition. The program will extend to three full days open to the public, evolving from a two-day exhibition into a full-fledged “valve week.” This development reflects the organizers’ intention to meet the growing demand for content, networking opportunities and high-level industry dialogue.The strategic value of IVS - Industrial Valve Summit lies in its role as a true forum for the entire supply chain, where shared objectives and distinctive technical expertise converge, fostering dialogue among companies, institutions, research bodies and international operators. In a context marked by geopolitical tensions, the Summit takes on an even more relevant role as a platform for alignment and scenario analysis, offering stakeholders a qualified space to interpret ongoing dynamics, assess impacts across the supply chain and guide industrial strategies. In this context, the initiative plays an enabling role, strengthening the competitive positioning of the national manufacturing system and facilitating access to industrial relationships and development opportunities on a global scale.The decision to anchor the event in Bergamo - a key industrial district - follows a clear rationale aimed at enhancing a highly specialized production ecosystem. Over the years, the event has established itself as a driver for territorial promotion, generating a network of side initiatives that extend its impact beyond the exhibition days, contributing to lasting positive effects for the local area.Scientific programThanks to the scientific contribution of VALVEcampus - the association dedicated to training industrial valve manufacturers and a long-standing partner of the Summit - IVS 2026 will offer a technical program positioned at the forefront of innovation, designed to address the sector’s most pressing challenges. Particular attention will be given to emerging technologies and opportunities in new application markets such as hydrogen, nuclear, CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage) and renewable energy - key strategic drivers for industrial development.The overall agenda includes 68 events (+30% compared to 52 in 2024), including conferences, roundtables and technical sessions, structured around six main thematic areas: standardisation and standard development; digital technologies applied to valves, actuations and control; valve design and materials for severe services; advanced sealing solutions for industrial valves; AI applied to mechanical design, procurement and manufacturing; additive manufacturing.Additional sessions will address key topics such as sealing-material innovation, fugitive emissions and the impact of PFAS substances. A dedicated focus on AI will include seven conferences exploring its applications across different industrial contexts, alongside contributions on decentralized production and additive manufacturing.The Summit will also host four high-level technical roundtables on subsea valve actuation in deepwater environments, choke valve applications in high-pressure systems, control valve performance and safety in critical applications, and surface treatment technologies to enhance resistance to erosion and corrosion. A further roundtable will focus on nuclear energy, involving regulators, companies, associations and institutions, with insights on both next-generation (Small Modular Reactors) and conventional nuclear technologies.PartnershipsInternational participation is further supported by synergies with ICE Agency, AVR ANIMA, Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo and UNIDO ITPO Italy. IVS has also entered into agreements with BVAA (the association representing valve actuators manufacturing, servicing, industry suppliers, stockists and industrial valve distributors in the UK), Fluidex (the Spanish association of exporters of fluid handling equipment, process solutions and technologies), SPAP (the Polish industry association for companies operating in the industrial valves and fittings sector), CzechTrade (the Czech government agency for trade promotion), Evolen (the French association of companies and professionals serving Energies), CEIR (the European association of valve manufacturers), SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers - Italian Section) and ESA (European Sealing Association), also through the presence of country pavilions.These partnerships will bring international delegations of institutional representatives, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, speakers and specialized operators. Organizers have invited qualified buyers from leading End Users and EPC contractors, creating a platform for interaction across the entire energy sector. This also opens opportunities for entry into and consolidation within emerging markets, particularly in Africa, where demographic growth and increasing energy demand make it an area of growing interest for supply-chain development.The history of IVSFrom 5,700 visitors in 2015 - the first edition, which hosted 100 companies - to 8,000 in 2017 and 10,800 in 2019, the Summit has experienced steady growth, both in attendance and in participant quality. In 2020, as preparations for the fourth edition were underway, the Covid-19 pandemic forced a halt. The exhibition centre was converted into a temporary hospital, supporting the community and strengthening the regional healthcare system. The 2021 edition was postponed to 2022, when IVS reached a new milestone: 12,000 visitors from over 60 countries and nearly 300 exhibitors (+17% vs. 2019), confirming its growing relevance despite ongoing mobility restrictions.The fifth edition in 2024 recorded 15,000 participants (+25%) from 69 countries and 325 exhibiting companies (+13%) from 14 nations, with international attendance doubling compared to 2022.Preview of the Observatory “The Oil & Gas Valve Industry in Italy” 2026A preview of the 2026 edition of the IVS-Prometeia Observatory “The Oil & Gas Valve Industry in Italy,” developed with the contribution of the Research Department of Confindustria Bergamo, was presented. The report highlights the state of the Italian industrial valve sector, confirming it as a strategic segment of national manufacturing and a benchmark within the European competitive landscape.The industry includes 140 companies, over 10,000 employees and a production value consistently exceeding €3 billion. With approximately 38% of total European production (up from 36% in 2024), Italy confirms its leadership in the Oil & Gas valve market, ahead of Germany (30%) and France. Lombardy stands out as the sector’s production hub: within the Province of Bergamo and a 100 km radius, 90% of the national sector’s total turnover is generated.The year 2024 remained highly favorable, marking a third consecutive double-digit increase in sales (+14% vs. 2023), supported by backlog from previous years and a strong improvement in profitability: EBITDA margin reached 11.5% (+2.5 pp vs. 2023 and nearly doubled, compared to 2022). The trend continued in 2025, with growing investments across the Oil & Gas value chain and new opportunities in renewables, nuclear, data centers and space.Despite trade tensions linked to US tariff policies, exports maintained a growth profile (+5.2% overall and +2% in the US, which accounts for 13% of exports). The outlook for 2026 is more uncertain: the Middle East, representing over a quarter of Italian exports, remains central but highly exposed to geopolitical risks. Tensions with Iran and potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could affect investment timing and priorities, with implications for order dynamics.The full Observatory will be presented on May 19 at the opening of IVS 2026.IVS YoungIVS - Industrial Valve Summit 2026 actively promotes the involvement of local high-school students through the IVS Young project, aimed at bringing younger generations closer to a strategic industrial sector. The initiative includes several activities, from the “Roberto Brevi Scholarship for Education in the Valve Industry”, supporting students of ITIS Pietro Paleocapa in collaboration with OMB Valves, to the “Electronics diagnostic controller for industrial valves” project, developed with students of Istituto Ettore Majorana and Starline. These are complemented by company visits designed to provide direct insight into production processes, as well as IVS RadioAut, the official radio of the event, created in collaboration with Spazio Autismo, a key organization supporting people with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Together, these initiatives demonstrate a structured commitment to bridging education and industry, contributing to the development of technical skills and the enhancement of local human capital.StatementsGiovanna Ricuperati, President of Confindustria Bergamo, stated: “The sixth edition of IVS sets a new record, with a 30% increase in exhibitors compared to 2024. This result confirms the event’s growing international appeal, with broader participation from abroad and new countries involved. Despite a complex global context that could affect visitor flows, registration figures remain encouraging. The event thus reaffirms its role as a key meeting point for the industrial valve community, providing a forum to discuss market scenarios, innovation and new applications. For Confindustria Bergamo, IVS growth is not an end in itself, but part of a broader strategy to enhance and strengthen local industrial supply chains. It is a concrete response to a need expressed directly by companies: increasing their visibility in international markets. Analysing supply chains, engaging entrepreneurs and building targeted support initiatives are central to our role, and IVS represents a concrete and successful example in this respect.”Luciano Patelli, President of Promoberg, commented: “The strong growth recorded in the 2024 edition, combined with the high quality of participating companies, confirms the soundness of the project. The Summit is a flagship in the internationalisation path of Promoberg and the Bergamo Exhibition Centre, thanks to the large number of high-profile operators from around the world. As an exhibition venue, we are proud to play a role in supporting the economy and promoting Bergamo, contributing value to the territory both in terms of development and economic impact. Today, our exhibition centre represents a significant added value, located at the heart of one of the world’s most important macro-regions and a key mobility hub, also thanks to BGY international airport, which connects Bergamo with Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Our development policies and strategies, including the expansion of the exhibition centre, will allow us to further support the growth of the Summit, generating even greater benefits and economic impact for the local area.”Francesco Apuzzo, President of VALVEcampus, stated: “VALVEcampus confirms its role as a reference point for the Summit’s scientific programme, with content increasingly aligned with the sector’s concrete needs and capable of anticipating technological and industrial challenges. Our objective is to strengthen dialogue between industry, research and end users by providing practical, immediately applicable content. The 2026 programme will focus in particular on innovation, digitalisation and the evolution of materials, with an approach that prioritises real cases, operational experience and direct exchange among the different players in the supply chain. The international dimension of the event is also growing, increasingly positioning it as a meeting point for companies, EPC contractors, end users and academia, with contributions from international experts and operators. Alongside technical content, education and youth engagement remain central, as key factors for the sector’s development. VALVEcampus confirms itself as a knowledge platform for the entire valve ecosystem, where added value lies in the quality and independence of content. With this approach, we contribute to strengthening IVS’s positioning as a leading international event for the industry.”

In the first quarter of 2026, machine tool orders increased (+3.1%), foreign orders (+28.9%) and domestic orders (-28.8%).

Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU : "Domestic demand, which is completely stalled, is once again being hit by the 'wait-and-see' effect of incentives." In the first quarter of 2026, the machine tool orders index compiled by the UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE Study & Business Culture Centre showed an increase of 3.1% compared to the January-March 2025 period . In absolute value, the index stood at 87.1 (base 100 in 2021). The result was determined exclusively by the manufacturers' good performance on the foreign market; on the other hand, the collection of orders on the domestic market was decidedly negative. In particular, orders collected across borders marked an increase of 28.9% , compared to the first quarter of 2025, for an absolute value of 95.9. Conversely, order intake in Italy decreased by 28.8% compared to the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index stood at 67.3. Riccardo Rosa, president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, stated: "The first-quarter order index is growing, and this is certainly a positive figure, but absolutely not satisfactory for Italian manufacturers. Exports are booming, but for how long? Meanwhile, Italy is stuck at the mercy of government authorities' announcements regarding hyper-depreciation, which, just as happened with Transition 5.0, are slow to arrive." The increase in cross-border activity, despite the climate of geopolitical instability we face daily, demonstrates the ability of Italian manufacturers to capture demand where it can most easily materialize, focusing on the areas and sectors most likely to invest. This is an important and meticulous effort that our companies have been carrying out for several months now, leveraging all the opportunities and knowledge available to them. And since foreign demand is still being met despite everything, it seems even more evident that the stalled domestic demand is due to the wait for clarification on the hyper-depreciation measure. "How is it possible to find ourselves in the same situation as in 2025, hanging on to the constant announcements and retractions of our government authorities? As it was conceived," continued Riccardo Rosa, "the hyper-depreciation measure should support innovation in our industry, but instead it forces companies to wait, suspended between an implementing decree and a ministerial decree, effectively freezing negotiations, which are currently numerous. In short, Italian users are willing to invest, but nothing will move until all the technical details of the measure are communicated." "We warmly welcomed the government's decision to equip the manufacturing system with a measure, such as hyper-depreciation, with a multi-year implementation period, from 2026 to 2028. But," Rosa notes, "this wait, which will effectively extend well into the first half of 2026, has immediately brought us back to the truly frustrating experience of Industry 5.0." "The point is that the manufacturing world, as Confindustria President Emanuele Orsini has already stated, is not only concerned about the geopolitical context but is also disheartened by the slow pace of action by government representatives, both nationally and at European level." "This quarter," Rosa stated, "Italian manufacturers have received orders thanks to foreign demand, despite all the difficulties we mentioned earlier. But what would happen if the conflict in Iran were to continue? It would no longer be a matter of facing a total or partial market closure. Instead, we would be faced with a much worse situation. For this reason, it is crucial to immediately implement all the necessary measures to implement the hyper-depreciation incentive, thus enabling Italian companies to make the investments they intend to plan and which are currently on hold." "Furthermore," concluded the UCIMU president, "we ask government authorities in Europe to champion the need to rely on a strong Union, determined to define shared policies and programs that will allow us to best address global geopolitical instability before it overwhelms us."

METAL SHOW & TIB 2026 opens on May 12th at Romexpo Bucharest

From May 12th to 15th, the trade fair brings together equipment and technologies for companies seeking higher production efficiency, lower costs, and better-informed industrial investments.METAL SHOW & TIB 2026, Romania’s largest technical trade fair dedicated to the metalworking industry, industrial equipment, and manufacturing technologies, opens on Tuesday, May 12, at Romexpo Bucharest. Over four days, from May 12 to 15, B2 Hall will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, integrators, and technical specialists for an event focused on evaluating technologies and equipment that directly impact productivity, costs, and the organization of industrial production.For a growing number of factories, the key issue is no longer production capacity alone, but efficiency. Cost pressure, labor shortages, the need for automation, and the requirement to achieve more with the same resources are changing the criteria used to assess industrial investments. The focus is now on cost per part, degree of automation, process stability, execution times, and the ability to scale output without a proportional increase in headcount.Against this backdrop, METAL SHOW & TIB 2026 is aimed at companies that are sourcing technologies, comparing suppliers, and approving investments. Visitors can see equipment in operation, assess the differences between technologies, and speak directly with the companies that manufacture, integrate, or commission them. For managers responsible for allocating modernization budgets, the trade fair offers the opportunity to compare equipment, applications, and technology options side by side, in one place.The 2026 edition will showcase technologies and equipment covering the entire production chain in the metalworking industry and related industrial processes. The laser and plasma cutting area will feature equipment for fast and precise cutting. The CNC machine tools segment is dedicated to precision machining and productivity in repetitive operations. Welding and joining technologies focus on execution control and process stability, while the precision tooling area emphasizes machining performance and accuracy.The trade fair will also feature industrial robotics systems for automating repetitive operations, automation equipment and applications for integrating machinery and organizing workflow, as well as sheet metal processing technologies, from bending and stamping to cutting. The machining area will include equipment for turning, milling, and drilling, while the industrial software segment will cover design, programming, planning, and production control. The offering is completed by metrology and quality control equipment, raw materials, and industrial suppliers.For companies planning modernization investments, participation in METAL SHOW & TIB 2026 provides fast access to technical information, direct supplier comparison, and a clearer view of the technologies currently available on the market. It offers an evaluation framework for companies looking to reduce production costs, eliminate process bottlenecks, and increase efficiency without compromising precision or control.METAL SHOW & TIB 2026 will bring together more than 160 exhibiting companies across an area of over 12,000 square meters, with participants from 14 countries. According to the organizers, 22% of the exhibiting companies are taking part for the first time, while 49.6% of visitors are decision-makers.The event is intended for entrepreneurs, general managers, executive directors, procurement directors, department heads, specialists, and technicians involved in the selection, evaluation, or operation of industrial technologies.Visiting hours are Tuesday to Thursday, May 12th to 14th, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday, May 15th, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is free with an invitation downloaded online from the event’s official website or via the ROMEXPO APP.

BI-MU futuretech award: innovation takes center stage

The competition, in its first edition, celebrates the cutting-edge solutions exhibited at 35.BI-MU. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Friday, October 16th. The BI-MU FUTURETECH AWARD 2026 will debut at 35.BI-MU, the biennial machine tool exhibition taking place at Fieramilano Rho from October 13th to 16th. This award celebrates the most innovative manufacturing solutions exhibited in the fair's pavilions. Designed to promote technological development in the field of machine tools, robots, and automation, the competition undoubtedly emphasizes the value of the event, which confirms its ability to document and anticipate technological advances in the world of industrial production. The BI-MU FUTURETECH AWARD is open to all exhibitors (direct and indirect) at 35.BI-MU and is divided into three categories: Mechanical Technology – includes solutions related to the creation of machine tools and their accessories, production systems for the mechanical industry (including robotics and additive manufacturing), and the processes they perform; Digitalization of Processes or Services – includes enabling technologies such as IoT, AI, Digital Twin, and design/simulation systems, machine vision, and advanced automation, as well as all applications (such as smart manufacturing, predictive maintenance, consistent quality, etc.) that lead to production efficiency, competitiveness, and the creation of added value from data; Economic, Environmental, and Social Sustainability – includes efficient, upgradeable, and reliable machines capable of reducing costs, consumption, and emissions, as well as safe, inclusive, and regulatory-compliant work environments. The finalists will be selected by a Judging Committee composed of five university professors, who will conduct a documentary pre-selection of the submitted projects. The winners, three for each category, will be chosen only after a technical evaluation of the solutions presented directly at the stands during the fair. The winners will receive official recognition, several prizes, and a package of visibility initiatives aimed at promoting their innovation. The awards ceremony will be held on Friday, October 16, the last day of the event, at the BI-MUpiù arena.

Beyond the Machinery: ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE Highlights Revealed

Is Polish industry afraid of artificial intelligence? How can profits hidden in process errors be recovered, and why can’t a modern factory exist without the support of scientists? The upcoming edition of ITM Industry Europe 2026 is much more than just a machine exhibition. It offers four days of intensive crash tests, intellectual sparring between manufacturing practitioners, and presentations of technologies that only yesterday seemed like a futuristic vision. This year’s programme challenges conventional wisdom and focuses on hard, market-driven practice.A varied programme and dynamic demonstrations in special zones add a unique twist to what has long been the cornerstone of ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE – a massive exhibition featuring several hundred top brands from around the world. The entire event centres around four halls: AUTOMA, MACH-TOOL, SURFEX, and WELDING, which comprehensively showcase the state of modern engineering.– We are eager for this year’s event to make a significant impact on the industry. Access to knowledge and solutions is key for us, which is why we have launched free accreditation for professionals. We want everyone with an interest in modern industrial technologies to be able to make the most of the trade fair’s extensive programme – both the offerings at exhibitors’ stands and the packed programme of seminars, debates and presentations on the fair’s stages in dedicated zones – emphasises Anna Lemańska-Kramer, Deputy Director of ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE.The ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE fair will take place from 26 to 29 May 2026 at the MTP Poznań Expo. At the same time, visitors will also be able to attend the Modernlog, Subcontracting, and European Science Fair exhibitions. The Factory Under Pressure from AI – a preview of the DBR77 zone at ITM 2026During the upcoming ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE 2026 fair in Poznań, the third day of events on the main stage will feature an intense debate on the future of Polish industry. Organised by DBR77, the meeting under the slogan “The Factory Under Pressure – Is Polish Industry Afraid of Artificial Intelligence?” will become a focal point for substantive discussions on the real impact of AI on the efficiency of production facilities. The programme for the event, scheduled for 28 May, has been designed as a dynamic space for the exchange of experiences between technology leaders and business practitioners, focusing on the operational and technological aspects of digital transformation.The event will open with a presentation on the role of artificial intelligence in modern production management, flowing seamlessly into a series of expert panel discussions. The first panel will focus on the robotisation and adaptability of vision systems, while the next will examine the conditions necessary for the effective implementation of AI in anomaly detection and operational planning processes. The programme will conclude with a logistics debate on decision automation in warehouses and an open practical training session, during which DBR77 experts will demonstrate specific tools supporting the day-to-day work of management staff.“Our aim at this year’s ITM is to demystify artificial intelligence and present it as a concrete tool that is already solving real-world problems on the shop floor today. We do not wish to speculate about the distant future; that is why we have invited companies to participate in panels demonstrating tangible results from their implementations. The DBR77 zone is intended to be a place where technology meets hard data and business practice, proving that Polish industry not only need not fear AI, but can gain a significant competitive advantage thanks to it – announces Katarzyna Szwarocka, CMO & R&D Specialist at DBR77.The organisers are placing particular emphasis on the visual aspect of the presentations, encouraging participants to share video footage, system demonstrations, and specific case studies. Thanks to this approach, visitors to the main stage on the third day of the fair will have a unique opportunity to see how advanced algorithms and autonomous systems function in a real production and logistics environment, operating under time pressure and high efficiency requirements.Assembly Arena – A Strategic Concept for the Assembly Innovation ZoneAlongside promoting theoretical ideas, the ITM Industry Europe trade fair focuses on practical engineering within the Assembly Arena – an innovative concept for assembly innovation. This is a dedicated demonstration and networking space, designed as a comprehensive response to the growing needs of the modern manufacturing market in terms of efficiency, quality, and process ergonomics. The Assembly Arena zone is organised under the patronage of the following companies:GM Automatyka, an expert in the integration of industrial automation systems, and KWG Group, a supplier of innovative solutions for manufacturing, specialising in ergonomics, assembly tools, and process optimisation. Assembly Arena has been designed as an interactive platform where engineers, production managers, and operations directors can explore a full range of automation solutions, covering both robotic and manual processes. The thematic scope of the zone is extensive and includes, among other things, advanced automation of threaded connections, pick-to-light systems, smart component positioning and clamping techniques, and specialist measurement and vision systems.This zone becomes a true arena where partners’ ready-made solutions meet real production challenges, offering visitors a unique opportunity to experience the synergy between humans and machines in conditions close to reality. The Assembly Arena concept goes beyond the traditional exhibition format, serving as an interactive educational space that promotes the idea of Lean Robotics and the digital transformation of assembly processes through the implementation of AI systems in quality control. Visitors from key sectors, such as automotive, household appliances, medtech, and furniture, will be able to test hybrid workstations utilising 3D cameras and operator-support tools that have a tangible impact on improving ergonomics and minimising errors. Assembly Arena is a place where people come for concrete solutions, where innovators, integrators, and end customers build a collaborative ecosystem, shaping the modern face of manufacturing facilities.REPETYTORIUM: Don’t tighten the screw, optimise the processA key highlight of this year’s ITM Industry Europe programme will be REPETYTORIUM, an original content format initiated by Jakub Giełbaga, an experienced process practitioner who has spent years analysing and optimising workflows on production floors and within company management teams. Under the provocative slogan “Don’t tighten the screw, optimise the process”, this event moves away from traditional conferences or panels based on slide presentations. REPETYTORIUM has been designed as an intensive intellectual sparring session and a form of mastermind, where knowledge is not lectured but developed through dynamic conversation with invited guests – industry practitioners, business owners, and operational managers.This initiative is a direct response to a real gap in Polish industry: the lack of a space for honest, unfiltered discussion about why, despite costly investments, companies often fail to achieve the expected efficiency. The event format comprises five one-hour thematic blocks, each offering nearly 30 minutes of substantive debate between leaders, followed by time for in-depth interaction with the audience. The programme focuses on specific business challenges, such as identifying hidden production losses, process flexibility, fostering a culture of eliminating micro-downtime, and the analysis of lost benefits (WUKO).A particular highlight will be a session dedicated to misguided manufacturing investments that, rather than optimising operations, create chaos – aimed at encouraging decision-makers to make responsible, process-oriented choices. REPETYTORIUM at ITM Industry Europe 2026 does not compete with the machinery fair but reinforces its purpose, demonstrating that modern industry is not just about advanced technology, but above all about the rigorous logic of the process and managerial maturity. This is an offering for those seeking a ‘roadmap’ and wishing to understand the real mechanisms governing modern production.Welding Exhibition: The Pillars of Certification and Quality Standards in WeldingFor years, the welding industry has been one of the key pillars of the ITM Industry Europe trade fair, bringing together leading players from the metalworking and steel construction sectors. An integral part of this year’s Welding Exhibition will be a two-day technical meeting designed for engineering staff and quality control specialists: “Welding – Certification of Manufacturers, Processes and Personnel According to European Standards: Current Status and New Developments.” The event will take place on 27 and 28 May in the Welding Speakers’ Corner. It is organised by GSI SLV Polska Sp. z o.o., a recognised certification body that has been supporting Polish heavy industry since 2005. Experts from SLV Polska, with many years of experience in metal processing and a wide range of accreditations, will present the current requirements regarding the supervision of production processes and the certification of NDT and welding personnel. The meeting will focus on the practical aspects of implementing European standards, which are essential for confirming the technical competence of plants and their employees within the supply chain for modern industry.Technology in Action: From Advanced Coating Technology to Interactive Demonstration and Networking ZonesThe ITM Industry Europe 2026 programme is complemented by a series of special zones where innovations are tested under real-world conditions. The Industrial Coating Association will run a comprehensive educational programme, combining specialist lectures with dynamic surface treatment demonstrations. In parallel, the editorial team of MM Industrial Magazine will host a series of in-depth discussions with market leaders as part of the MM Speakers’ Corner, providing a platform for the exchange of key business insights. An element of healthy competition and practical component testing will be offered by the Pneumat & BECKHOFF GAMES zone, where advanced pneumatics meets precision control through interactive automation stations.Operational safety and the protection of personnel will be the focus of the Safety Zone, organised in collaboration with Troax Poland. The highlight of this programme will be spectacular live crash tests, demonstrating the effectiveness of fencing systems and flexible barriers in critical situations. A technological complement to modern production lines will be the Collaborative Robot Zone, located in the AUTOMA Hall, with Schmalz as its main partner. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to compare over a dozen cobot models from leading brands, observing them in dynamic industrial applications. These interactive spaces demonstrate that modern industry is not just about technology, but above all about its safe and effective integration with human labour.The trade fair’s networking programme will feature the next instalment of an event that proved hugely successful last autumn: LinkedIn Local for Industry, taking place at the heart of the sector on 26 May. This is a space where engineers, manufacturing experts, and business owners can join forces to exchange experiences. Participants can expect a solid dose of substantive content and the opportunity for conversations that develop into real business partnerships.Science and Industry: The Cornerstone of the Modern EconomyThe European Science Fair, organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, and the MTP Group, will run alongside ITM INDUSTRY EUROPE and is a key element of this year’s technology festival. – This is the second edition of this initiative; the first proved to be a great success, confirming the enormous potential in combining these two worlds – notes Anna Lemańska-Kramer. The exhibition will focus on the achievements of research institutes, universities, and start-ups that address the needs of modern business, In the era of burgeoning Industry 5.0, the innovative discoveries showcased at the fair have the potential for rapid implementation in factories, providing a technological advantage for Polish enterprises. Only an economy capable of global competition and built on strong partnerships with Polish science can fully realise the country’s potential. For this reason, this year’s event is becoming a strategic space for the commercialisation of research and the removal of barriers between science and industry. – A new feature of the European Science Fair 2026 is the ‘duet’ stands. These are shared exhibition spaces designed for science–business teams and university/institute–company partnerships, allowing the entire innovation process to be presented: from the research concept to actual implementation within a company. It is an integrated format that combines scientific achievements with commercial success, showcasing both research findings and solutions used by businesses on a daily basis – adds Anna Lemańska-Kramer.

The circular economy is one of the central themes of AMB 2026.

Sustainability, digitalization and automation: the key topics of AMB // AMB 2026 will also focus on the exchange of ideas and current developments "Where metal comes alive": with this new slogan, AMB opens its doors in Stuttgart from September 15 to 19, 2026. Across all ten exhibition halls, AMB offers a comprehensive overview of current technologies and highlights industry trends such as sustainability, digitalization, and automation. These concepts are brought to life through concrete application examples: sustainability is presented in the context of recycling and the circular economy, while in digitalization, the fair focuses on artificial intelligence in manufacturing, and collaborative processes serve as a vivid example of modern automation. We delve into one of these topics in a conversation with Markus Heseding , General Manager of VDMA Präzisionswerkzeuge : we talk about the circular economy, carbide sourcing and tool recycling, as well as the role of AMB 2026 as a reference event for the sector. Messe Stuttgart: Mr. Heseding, in your opinion, what will shape the sustainability debate in 2026, and what are the most important topics for the VDMA in the recycling sector? Sustainability has become a strategic economic factor. In 2026, the challenge will be to reconcile environmental responsibility, security of supply, and competitiveness. For the precision tools industry, three issues are clearly central: the recycling and return of tool packaging, the sourcing of hard metals for the metalworking industries, and the Product Carbon Footprint as a basis for transparent and comparable CO2 data. Messe Stuttgart: In the following interview, we'd like to focus on the first two points. You've always emphasized that every gram of carbide remaining in Europe is an asset. What specifically is needed to keep tungsten in the European supply chain, and where can the industry start? Competition for tungsten is increasing globally, especially because other sectors, such as the defense industry, are significantly expanding their demand. At the same time, Europe has very few primary tungsten mining projects, and our heavy dependence on Chinese supplies is risky. This is currently leading to significantly rising costs, a lack of price stability, significant supply uncertainty, and a complete lack of predictability. This is particularly critical because carbide tools are key components in the metalworking industry, in virtually all machining processes. In this context, recycling is becoming even more important. Carbide recycling in Europe has been an environmental and economic success for decades. Europe therefore needs resilient supply models that combine the circular economy, technological innovation, and fair industrial partnerships. This is why keeping tungsten in the European cycle is so crucial. Carbide scrap is a strategic resource: every gram that remains in Europe strengthens our industrial sovereignty. In recycling, we need more effective take-back systems, higher collection rates, and consistent quality standards. Our customers can also make a significant contribution by selling their carbide scrap to European partners. Our motto: "Those who commit to the European cycle remain strong in the tool technology sector!" Messe Stuttgart: In addition to tungsten recovery, the question of how to successfully market tool packaging made from recycled materials is increasingly emerging. What steps are needed to effectively promote the use of recycled materials in the metalworking industry? What are the main objectives of your packaging recycling working group? When using recycled materials, technical feasibility is rarely the issue. The challenge lies in the fact that tool packaging has a low market value, and recycling is often difficult to demonstrate as an economically viable activity. Additional obstacles include scalability, availability, and consistent quality standards. It is particularly important to collect sufficient quantities of pure material for reliable production. In the VDMA "Tool Packaging Recycling" working group, we collaborate with partners along the value chain to find viable solutions. A field trial has implemented, for the first time, a functioning system for the return and recycling of used packaging made from post-consumer recycled material, which is then tested and reprocessed. This creates a valid basis for a closed-loop system. Today, pioneering companies already offer tool packaging made entirely from recycled materials: some manufacturers have already completed the transition. These solutions will be clearly presented at AMB 2026. Messe Stuttgart: How can these three topics—hard metal recycling, recycled packaging, and CFP—be highlighted at AMB? Which practical initiatives or projects will VDMA focus on in 2026? Many companies will be presenting their latest developments at AMB, making the trade fair particularly interesting. We will also be exploring this aspect in depth at the VDMA Technology Forum, at booth B50 of the L-Bank Forum (Hall 1). We will demonstrate how sustainability, the circular economy, and digitalization can be concretely implemented in the precision tools industry. Digitalization supports these topics through transparent material flows, digital documentation, and standardized processes along the entire value chain. Numerous VDMA member companies and research partners will be presenting their solutions. We will also be showcasing the cutting-edge results of our recently completed research project on increasing the efficiency of hard metal recycling. Messe Stuttgart: To what extent can AMB, as a leading trade fair for the industry, accelerate the exchange and development of solutions to these challenges? What role do cross-industry dialogue and personal interaction play at AMB? One advantage is that AMB brings together the entire metalworking process chain. The majority of visitors will come from Germany, the beating heart of the industry. Equally important will be the international visitors, who traditionally come in large numbers from Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, but also from the Netherlands, France, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Turkey. AMB excels at bringing together technological innovation, international reach, and the entire industrial production process chain. Especially in a period when the industry is simultaneously subjected to economic, geopolitical and industrial policy pressures, this exchange is indispensable. We all hope that AMB can provide a significant economic boost. It's a place where companies can evaluate investments in future technologies, experiment with new applications, and strategically position themselves for the next stages of development. About AMB Since 1982, AMB has presented the highlights of the international metalworking industry. "Where metal comes alive": It will also be a permanent fixture on the industry's agenda in 2026, this year from September 15 to 19. It is the international marketplace and meeting place for metalworking, showcasing the latest products, technologies, innovations, services, and concepts in all their facets. AMB is supported by sponsors VDMA Präzisionswerkzeuge, VDMA Software und Digitalisierung, and VDW Verein Deutscher Werkzeugmaschinenfabriken e.V. (German Machine Tool Manufacturers' Association).