The conference focused on the evolution of knowledge, emerging technologies, and the opportunities offered by new application markets such as geothermal energy, reaffirming Italy's role as an international hub for the development of the relevant industry.
The seventh edition of the IVS Valve Industry Think Tank, a discussion event that brought together leading figures in the industrial valve supply chain, took place in Bergamo on November 20th at the Confindustria Bergamo auditorium, within the Kilometro Rosso Innovation District. The event was promoted by IVS - Industrial Valve Summit, the leading international event dedicated to industrial valve technologies and flow control solutions.
The event, entitled "Towards IVS 2026: innovations, knowledge, and strategic networking," offered an exclusive preview of the scientific program of the sixth edition of IVS, which will take place from May 19th to 21st, 2026, at the Bergamo Exhibition Center. The meeting, attended by over one hundred experts and industry leaders, analyzed the key themes of technological innovation, industrial sustainability, and advancement of technical knowledge in the valves and components sector, reaffirming Italy's role as an international hub capable of supporting the development of this industry. Special guests at this edition were engineers from the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE), who brought a dynamic perspective on the future challenges of the energy and industrial sectors, enriching the debate with valuable contributions for the technical and scientific community.
The conference's technical partner is VALVEcampus, the training association for Italian industrial valve manufacturers, a sector that represents excellence in the competitive European context: with 139 companies, approximately 10,000 employees, and an annual turnover of €3.4 billion, the national industry generates over 36% of continental production. Lombardy is establishing itself as the productive heart of the sector, contributing nearly two-thirds of Italian output, with Bergamo as its hub. Over 100 specialized companies operate within a 100 km radius of the Province, generating more than 90% of the sector's Italian turnover and employing over 6,000 people.
The event opened with a speech by Claudia Persico, Vice President of Confindustria Bergamo with responsibility for internationalization, Europe, and gender equality, who outlined the role of Bergamo's industry in the international context. Luca Pandolfi, Project Manager at IVS, outlined the future trajectory of the Summit, demonstrating its evolution into a platform that combines technical updates, vision, and high-level relationships among supply chain stakeholders.
The conference aspect was highlighted by Francesco Apuzzo, President of the IVS 2026 Scientific Committee and President of VALVEcampus, who emphasized the value of research and the integration of industrial and engineering expertise. The technical program of IVS 2026 will be structured around six main thematic areas: standardization and regulatory development; Digital technologies applied to valves, actuators, and control systems; valve design and materials for extreme service situations; advanced sealing solutions for industrial valves; applications of artificial intelligence in mechanical design, supply chain, and manufacturing; and additive manufacturing.
Valeria Tirelli, President & CEO of AIDRO and Ambassador of Women in 3D Printing, followed with an updated overview of 3D additive manufacturing, illustrating the progress of regulations and the level of adoption of the technology in Oil & Gas applications. The focus then shifted to the new phase of geothermal energy development, thanks to discussions with William Palozzo (DG Impianti Industriali S.p.A.), Ernesto Petteruti (Chimec S.p.A.), and Piergiuseppe Fiore (Eni S.p.A.), who outlined a horizon in which Italy can play a leading role and which is characterized by significant opportunities, technical requirements, new investments, and potential impacts on the energy transition.
In the second part of the meeting, Marco Moiola of Bodycote addressed the erosion and corrosion of metal surfaces in Oil & Gas plants, emphasizing the importance of advanced treatments to extend component life and increase safety and efficiency. Davide Lamoure of QUAM then spoke, illustrating the physical and engineering rationale behind throttle valves, essential components for controlling pressure, flow, and erosion in extreme operating conditions. Fabio Ferrari of Score's next contribution explored the critical issues surrounding control valves, key elements for regulating industrial processes but subject to issues that impact performance and maintenance.
The day concluded with Sissi Bellomo, a journalist for "Il Sole 24 Ore," who offered a broad look at the Oil & Gas market, examining the current situation and the prospects for a sector called upon to redefine its balance in a changing global context.
Claudia Persico, Vice President of Confindustria Bergamo with responsibility for internationalization, Europe, and gender equality, commented: "IVS Industrial Valve Summit is an international success story and one of the key initiatives through which Confindustria Bergamo, together with its member companies, supports internationalization processes. The project stems from the shared vision of a group of local businesses that strongly expressed the need to strengthen their presence and competitiveness in increasingly complex and challenging global markets. The Think Tank has become a consolidated annual event for discussion on technical and market topics, while the Summit continues to grow, aiming to further expand the number of exhibitors and visitors for the next edition.
IVS is a local initiative that, starting from the valve industry, generates benefits for the entire Oil & Gas and energy supply chain."
Francesco Apuzzo, President of VALVEcampus, stated: "IVS Valve Industry Think Tank embodies the mission of our Association. It is a place for open discussion where opinions, innovations, and market expectations can be shared, but above all, a space to analyze opportunities, analyze scenarios, and define strategies with key players in the industry. This edition, VALVEcampus not only selected the speakers best suited to the priority topics, but also directly contributed to the development of the content. A key role was played by the collaboration with the Society of Petroleum Engineers, which fully participated in the development of the technical materials. Born as a forum for discussion, the event also confirms its role as a fundamental step towards the next edition of IVS. Last year, we presented the Scientific Committee and the key themes underlying the call for papers. Today, we have taken a step forward, delving deeper into the content of the panels that will guide the 2026 Summit program.
IVS - Industrial Valve Summit.
Founded in 2015 as a specialized event, IVS is now internationally recognized as a reference platform for the industrial valve supply chain. Over the past ten years, the Summit has grown in size, quality, and strategic impact, helping to strengthen the competitiveness of the national production district and the role of Italian manufacturing in global markets. The fifth edition, in 2024, attracted 15,000 participants from 69 countries (+25%) and 325 exhibiting companies (+13%) from 14 nations, with a significant increase in international attendance, doubled compared to 2022. IVS 2026 will mark a further step forward in the event's development. The Bergamo Fairgrounds' exhibition layout will expand to include two additional pavilions, and the program will extend across three full days open to the public, growing from a two-day exhibition to a full-fledged valve week. The scientific conferences will begin on the morning of Tuesday, May 19, and the pavilions will open their doors to the international valve audience. This evolution reflects the organizers' desire to meet the growing demand for content, networking opportunities, and qualified discussions. Signs of growth are confirmed by the registrations already received: the sixth edition is on track to set a new attendance record. Hundreds of Italian and international companies will be present in Bergamo, demonstrating the industry's confidence in an increasingly complex global environment.
VALVEcampus
VALVEcampus is the training association for Italian manufacturers of industrial valves and components for the Oil & Gas and Power Generation industries. Founded by six partners to promote and disseminate the technical culture of industrial valves among professionals, it operates as a training agency in the areas of design, technical standards, metallurgy, sealing systems, and auxiliary components for industrial valves. It currently has more than 40 members and organizes dozens of training courses and webinars each year. The Association has always been the key scientific partner of IVS - Industrial Valve Summit, for which it oversees the conference program. VALVEcampus aims to promote the know-how, professionalism, and international role that Italy plays within the supply chain with its many activities.
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