The global woodworking press gathered in Hanover for the media launch of this year’s Ligna exhibition – the world’s largest woodworking technology fair.

The official Ligna Press Preview event, held at Hanover Messe on February 20 and attended by TTJ, saw Ligna organiser Deutsche Messe reveal that more than 1,200 exhibitors from all over the world will occupy around 112,000m2 of exhibition space in May, sending a strong signal in a challenging industry situation. The event on May 26-30 will be the 50th anniversary of Ligna.

Ligna, which attracts around 100,000 people every two years, showcases technologies from across the woodworking spectrum – from forestry to sawmilling, timber product processing, panel production equipment, furniture machinery and surfacing.

Many exhibitors time their innovation and new product launch cycles around the show, and it’s a bellwether of industry sentiment. Homag, Microtec, SCM, Weinig, Fagus-GreCon, Hymmen, Kleiberit, and Into Chemicals were among those present at the preview to communicate their innovations to the press.

The three key themes of Ligna 2025 are Connectivity, Sustainable Production, and Engineered Wood – and are specifically designed to engage stakeholders across the woodworking community, including industry, trade, and forestry.

“Ligna is currently almost at the same level as the previous event,” says Dr Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the Executive Board, Deutsche Messe AG.

“In view of the economic conditions, we are very grateful to everyone involved for their confidence in Ligna. We are convinced that the world’s leading trade fair for the industry will ensure greater productivity and sustainability through fantastic innovations and thus provide the much-needed motivation and confidence for investments.”

Deutsche Messe said industry experts and market observers believe that the woodworking and wood processing industry – under pressure in recent months, particularly in Europe – could see a recovery in the second half of the year.

However, ongoing economic challenges are fuelling uncertainty and eroding business confidence. Unclear political developments and their economic impact have also led to delays in crucial investment decisions.

European woodworking machinery production was worth €3.6bn in 2024, a 15% reduction from the €4.2bn recorded in 2023, with 2025 expected to be similar to last year.

Germany is a key exporter of woodworking machinery. Its exports were 11.6% down in 2024, with the US, China and France being the top three export destinations. The UK was the eighth biggest market for German machinery makers, at just under €100m.

Markus Hüllmann, chairman of Germany’s Woodworking Machinery Association (VDMA), reported demand from the wood industries, with many projects in the pipeline but delays in clients giving the final go-ahead.

He said product diversification, hiring of tech-savvy workers and managing production more efficiently were very important for woodworking companies.

“Hardly any exhibitor skips Ligna – and for good reason,” said Dr Bernhard Dirr, managing director of the VDMA.

“Especially in challenging times, direct dialogue with customers is crucial to generating new investment momentum through innovative solutions. Ligna is the platform where pioneering technologies are presented to an international audience of experts. And it’s not just manufacturers who cannot afford to miss this opportunity – customers, too, must be there, as the future course of the industry is set right here in Hanover.”

Thijs Meijerink, material & technology engineer, IKEA, gave a presentation on AI at the Ligna Preview, sharing opportunities and challenges for the woodworking sector.

The wood product industries, he said, had statistically less employees under the age of 35 than many other industry small and medium sized enterprises. This meant less inflow with new ideas, technologies and AI.

But benefits were there for those that embraced AI/improved data processes, helping build insight into the workings of companies.

Source:  ttjonline.com