LIGNA 2013: summit meeting of the forestry and timber industry

Ahlhorn | Hanover | 06.05.2013/XNUMX/XNUMX

Impressive internationality, numerous technical innovations and comprehensive market coverage: Even before the start of LIGNA 2013 from May 6th to 10th in Hanover, the leading international trade fair for the forestry and woodworking and processing industry is proving its position as the world's most important sector to come together.

“The leading manufacturers in the industry have based their innovation cycles on LIGNA and are showing their innovations in Hanover for the first time. From there, these machines will conquer the world markets,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler, Member of the Management Board of Deutsche Messe AG, on LIGNA. "The LIGNA visitor sees everything that will be of importance in the industry worldwide in the next two years."

Fascinating new developments from around 6 countries await you from May 10th to 50th. The entire value chain for the treatment and processing of wood can be seen at the trade fair: from forestry technology to primary processing in the sawmill and wood-based materials industry, secondary processing in trade and industry to the use of wood for energy.

High level of internationality

LIGNA is the most international trade fair in the industry. More than half of the exhibitors come from abroad, from around 50 countries. Germany is among the top ten exhibitor nations by number of exhibitors, followed by Italy, Austria, China, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the USA, Spain and Denmark. LIGNA also shines when it comes to the quality of visitors: in 2011, every third trade visitor came to Hanover from abroad. Every second visitor is a decision-maker from upper management.

top issues

The development of individualized production processes and the manufacture of cross-process control systems are currently the drivers of innovations - which run like a red thread through the exhibitors' offers. With more flexibility and more efficiency in production, they meet customer expectations. Nevertheless: The exhibitors not only have the know-how for the new manufacturing processes, they also know how to design production processes in a future-oriented manner. The keywords are sustainability, energy, and resource efficiency.

Surface technology in Halls 16 and 17 is one of the top themes at this year's LIGNA. Different printing processes and processing systems for seamless laminating of surfaces and glue-free plasma technology are just a few keywords. The topic is supplemented by the special exhibition "Material Exhibition" in Hall 17, in which, for example, around 200 different and innovative surface materials are shown. There you can see what you can already do with wood today, such as wood from waste or translucent wood.

Bioenergy from wood in Halls 13, 27, in the outdoor area and in Pavilions 32 to 35 will provide impetus that is of great importance for the wood energy market and all companies active in it. With this orientation, LIGNA is by far the largest trade fair for this area. Relevant topics are the uniformly controlled quality of wood fuels, their processing, the generation of heat and electricity, improving logistics and securing the supply of raw materials.

Another hot topic is lightweight construction. With the special presentation "lightweight.network" in Hall 17 and a conference with international participants, in which many experts from research and development take part, LIGNA is dedicated to this topic. The special presentation gives an insight into current lightweight construction projects and users show what fascinating things are possible with lightweight construction. The exhibits include, for example, the Porsche Design kitchen from the premium manufacturer Poggenpohl, in which high-tech lightweight panels are used.

The window construction with machines, tools and materials for window production in Halls 11, 12, 14 and 15 will prove to be a particular magnet for visitors. The federal association ProHolzfenster organized a joint stand for this purpose. There, wooden windows clad with so-called “modified wood” will be presented for the first time – a world premiere.

Special presentations, forums and congresses

Numerous special presentations, forums and congresses complement the LIGNA exhibition program. "We are particularly pleased that we will be holding the congress on the innovation potential of the forest, paper and wood industry for the European bioeconomy for the first time here in Hanover on the first day of the trade fair," says Köckler. It shows how the market participants from the various EU member states define sector-specific guidelines and how future EU support programs can be actively shaped by forestry.

In addition, numerous other forums on the energy wood market, timber construction today and heat supply are organised.