Interview on Messe Düsseldorf’s ecoMetals campaign with Friedrich-Georg Kehrer, Global Portfolio Director
Mr Kehrer, the quartet of technology trade fairs – GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST – will once again provide a comprehensive overview of the entire foundry and metallurgy sector from 12 to 16 June 2023. In your view, which trending topics will have a particular impact on the trade fairs?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: How green are the energy-intensive foundry and steel industries? How sustainably do they produce, and how environmentally friendly is their handling of the materials used? These are the key questions that everything currently revolves around and which will also provide plenty of talking points at GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST 2023. With the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 at the latest, these industries are arguably facing the greatest transformation in their history. This pivotal development will be reflected at the four Düsseldorf trade fairs: on the one hand, the challenges facing the sectors. On the other hand, the innovations that machinery and plant manufacturers are offering to the metallurgy and foundry industries worldwide, through which they are clearly part of the solution rather than the problem. Through intensive dialogue with specialist panels and experts from all areas of the value chain, we have identified the following three global megatrends:
- Sustainability in terms of energy and resource efficiency, e.g. in the form of green steel or green iron, as well as the decarbonisation of the steel and iron smelting industry, with hydrogen acting as a catalyst – summarised succinctly under the umbrella term ‘ecoMetals’.
- The use of digital technologies in production – in other words, ‘Industry 4.0’ in steelworks and foundries – remains another major trend.
- Furthermore, lightweight construction in the automotive sector and state-of-the-art additive manufacturing processes continue to play a pivotal role in the field of steel and metal processing.
With our four specialist trade fairs and the extensive supporting programme, we offer all interested parties a globally unique platform on which these forward-looking topics can be discussed in all their complexity.
In connection with GIFA, METEC, THEMPROCESS and NEWCAST, the term ‘ecoMetals’ keeps cropping up. What does this mean, and what role does the campaign play within the context of the events?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: The ecoMetals campaign by Messe Düsseldorf is an integral part of the “Bright World of Metals” and has long been a model of success. It highlights the environmental focus of the foundry and metalworking industries and promotes exhibiting companies that invest in innovative, sustainable and economically competitive technologies. Trade fair visitors can easily recognise the award-winning innovations and are guided to the participating exhibitors at GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST via daily free guided tours – the so-called ecoMetals Trails. Furthermore, these exhibitors are highlighted on the respective websites and in the catalogue, and their exhibition stands are clearly marked. The ecoMetals campaign was very well received at the last series of four trade fairs. Our visitors greatly appreciated this guidance. I am particularly pleased that other industry trade fairs, such as wire and Tube or decarbXpo, have adopted the concept for themselves this year. At Messe Düsseldorf, we also wish to fulfil our environmental responsibility to some extent and provide a special forum for the drivers behind environmentally friendly products, production methods and processes.
So, through the ecoMetals Trails, trade visitors can, so to speak, discover new ways of creating value at the trade fairs?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: Yes, that’s right! The ecoMetals brand focuses on three areas of sustainability: resources, innovation and production or processes. How can raw materials be extracted in a more resource-efficient manner and processed more efficiently? What is the trend in the recycling of metals and non-metals? Which new technologies, machines and plant are being used to improve energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint? The pioneers of sustainability at GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST will be showcasing their solutions to all these questions. At their exhibition stands, they will explain how companies minimise their environmental footprint at their production sites and strike a balance between economic efficiency and environmental protection. Overcoming these challenges is more important than ever in order to stand out as a valued business partner in the face of international competition.
How much does it cost to take part in the ecoMetaor Trails?
Friedrich-Georg Kehrer: The Trails are free of charge for all interested visitors. Registrations can be made online via the respective portals in the run-up to the trade fairs. Anyone who decides on the spur of the moment to take part in a trail whilst at the trade fair is, of course, just as welcome, even without prior registration.
On 21 September this year, ecoMetals Day will take place as the ‘Steel Day of the Future’ at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre. What sort of event is this, and what does it mean for the Bright World of Metals?
ecoMetals Day is taking place for the first time, alongside glasstec, as part of our new event, decarbXpo. On this day, the who’s who of the steel industry will gather in Düsseldorf to present, through a series of unique talks, all the relevant topics concerning the technical, economic and environmental transformation of the steel industry under one roof. These insights are, of course, also immensely important for THERMPROCESS 2023.
Mr Kehrer, can you tell us anything yet about the number of registrations? How are the preparations for the trade fair going overall?
The preliminary work has been successfully completed; many companies have already registered, and the trade fair layout planning is in full swing. Now it’s time for the fine-tuning and, of course, the measures to attract visitors. Our exhibitors are raring to impress the trade fair audience at GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST with their technologies and innovations. All the leading companies will be represented in Düsseldorf once again, alongside many new exhibitors making their debut. GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST are each the most important industry event in their own right; they thrive on face-to-face encounters and the special atmosphere created by the exchange of ideas. Everyone is particularly looking forward to this – especially after such a long time!
Düsseldorf, July 2022
GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS, NEWCAST 2023
Larissa Browa
Tel: +49 (0)211-4560 549
mailto:BrowaL@messe-duesseldorf.de