LIGNA HANNOVER 2011: innovative - efficient - trendsetting
Hannover. From 30 May to 3 June 2011, LIGNA HANNOVER will once again put the spotlight on the latest solutions and developments in the forestry and wood industries. The exhibition will show efficient, innovative and future-defining ways of using raw materials and the latest technologies.
“‘Making more out of wood: innovative - efficient - trendsetting’ is the official motto for LIGNA HANNOVER 2011. LIGNA is the premier international marketing platform for companies interested in participating in the upswing that is now beginning to emerge in the wake of the global economic crisis. Exhibiting at LIGNA is a sound investment in long-term growth.
The full complement of big-name exhibitors, the innovative flair of the products and equipment on show, and the superior quality, international makeup and decision-making credentials of its visitors confirm LIGNA’s status as the world’s No. 1 meeting place for the forestry and wood industries,” said Deutsche Messe Managing Board member Stephan Ph. Kühne. “All the market leaders will be at LIGNA 2011. At present, we expect around 1,700 companies to exhibit at next year’s show, which is comparable to the level of participation at the 2009 event,” he added.
More than half of LIGNA exhibitors come from outside Germany. The participating companies use the fair as a platform for presenting their latest developments to a global audience of industry professionals. Over one third of visitors make the trip to Hannover from outside Germany. In 2009, the show attracted 80,000 trade professionals from 90 countries.
Keynote themes at LIGNA HANNOVER 2011
Bioenergy from wood, surface finishing technologies and lightweight construction are three high-profile themes at next year’s LIGNA show. The organizer’s decision to expand the range of exhibits to include wood-based bioenergy technology reflects growing market demand for alternative, carbon-neutral energy sources. The range of exhibits in this category encompasses new energy solutions for the plant and machinery sector, bioenergy plant operation as well as integrated advisory and planning services. The participants will include suppliers of innovative turnkey biomass power plants. The range of exhibits will be complemented by the 3rd International BBE/VDMA Business and Export Forum for Bioenergy, where industry experts will discuss the establishment and development of international bioenergy markets.
The event will be held on day two of the show from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Convention Center on the Hannover showgrounds.
In LIGNA’s furniture-sector exhibition halls, industrial surface technology suppliers will be presenting a feast of new machinery and materials that are capable of producing the types of finishes demanded by the latest interior design trends. There are a multitude of new surface finishing options for giving flooring a modern, contemporary look, while new materials have opened up a wealth of new design and customization possibilities.
Increasing market demand for lightweight construction methods, another key theme at LIGNA HANNOVER 2011, has also touched the furniture and interior design sectors. The worldwide “homing” trend has been accompanied by diverse developments in the lightweight construction sector. Visitors to next year’s LIGNA show can look forward to a comprehensive showcase of applications and optimized lightweight furniture design solutions. The second and third day of the fair will also see the premiere of a new international conference on lightweight construction. “Think Light - International Conference on Lightweight Panels” is organized by Austrian company Technical Conference Management, Dr. Kurt Fischer KG. The conference will be complemented by the lightweight.network display of lightweight manufacturing technology solutions. And, to round off LIGNA’s lightweight construction showcase, Germany’s Lightweight Construction Association (igeL) will be mounting a live demonstration spanning each of the steps in the production process, from material to finished furniture.
New exhibition layout enhances proven exhibition program
There will be a slight change to the exhibition layout as compared with the previous LIGNA HANNOVER show. “Our aim is to make LIGNA even more efficient,” said Stephan Ph. Kühne. The exhibits from the smaller Halls 19 and 20 will be consolidated in the larger Hall 23. “We did this in response to exhibitor and visitor demand for a more integrated exhibition circuit and optimized presentation of the forestry and wood cluster,” Kühne added.
In addition to the forestry and forestry technology displays on the open-air site and in the pavilions under the Expo canopy, next year’s LIGNA HANNOVER exhibition program will feature sawmill technology and panel and veneer production technology in Hall 27, solid wood working in Halls 12 and 13, furniture production technology in Halls 22 to 26, wood-based bioenergy plants on the open-air site, in the pavilions and in Hall 13, and the Handwerk, Holz & mehr show for carpenters, joiners and cabinetmakers in Halls 11, 12 and 14 to 17.
LIGNA is all about showcasing the latest technologies, processes and products. “There will be plenty of innovation on show at LIGNA 2011. Without a doubt, LIGNA has a key influence on wood industry innovation cycles worldwide,” said Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of the German Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association within the German Engineering Federation (VDMA), co-organizer of LIGNA HANNOVER.
One of the big highlights of the coming fair will be the conference on “Sustainability in the forestry and wood industries as a key to building an intelligent Europe” that is being held as part of the EU’s IN2WOOD project. The conference will explore the latest trends and developments in the utilization of natural wood resources in Europe and internationally. It will also look into ways of expanding international cooperation along the entire forest and wood industry value chain. Europe’s forest and wood industries are facing major challenges: on the one hand, the Continent needs to embrace sustainable and future-proof forest management practices in order to ensure the long-term availability of its wood resources; on the other, global demand for wood products continues to rise. A renewable and climate-friendly resource, wood provides a powerful means of creating value and employment on a sustainable basis. At the same time, the wood sector still harbors significant innovation potential. Making full use of this potential and boosting the competitiveness of the sector requires intensive cooperation and networking between companies, research institutions and regulators both within Europe and around the world.
Next year’s show will also feature a comprehensive range of events in connection with the United Nations International Year of Forests. The events are expected to attract high-profile industry experts and politicians from around Europe.
For many years, LIGNA has featured a wide array of user-centric displays, seminars, and conferences. In this way, the show has made a major contribution to fostering knowledge transfer and networking among industry stakeholders. Deutsche Messe’s close working relationship with exhibitors and the VDMA’s Woodworking Machinery Manufacturers’ Association ensures that future events will continue to reflect the critical industry issues of the day.