Ligna 2025 opens in Hanover - trade fair celebrates anniversary

In its anniversary year, Ligna 2025 will feature a total of 1,433 exhibitors (2023: 1,288) from 49 countries presenting pioneering technologies and solutions for the wood industry in ten exhibition halls, two pavilions and the outdoor area, covering 113,923 square meters (2023: 114,909 square meters). The surface technology sector will be represented at the trade fair in Halls 16 and 17. For five decades, Ligns has been a driving force in its sector and offers a unique overview of the entire value chain - from forests to high-tech wood products. In 1975, at the height of the oil crisis, Ligna was spun off from the Hannover Messe. Since then, Ligna exhibitors have demonstrated the economic relevance of the wood industry every two years: it is a global market worth billions, has a strong export ratio and plays an important role in sustainable construction and the bioeconomy. "The fact that Ligna, in its anniversary year, has exceeded the previous year's exhibitor numbers and is very close to the previous year's result in terms of exhibition space is by no means a matter of course," says Stephanie Wagner, Project Director of Ligna at Deutsche Messe AG. "The woodworking and wood processing industry has been experiencing an economic downturn for months. The exhibitors' clear commitment to their leading trade fair cannot be overstated," adds Wagner.

Ligna as a meeting place for the woodworking industry

Ligna is all about digitalized and networked production processes, the use of AI and how high-tech machines are revolutionizing the trade and industrial production. The organizers, Deutsche Messe AG and the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association, have grouped the three central themes of Ligna under the focus topics of "Connectivity", "Sustainable Production" and "Engineered Wood". This refers to complete digital networking, the establishment of a sustainable circular economy and the development of innovative wood-based materials. "Every two years, the entire woodworking industry comes together in Hanover at Ligna. It's about the future of the wood industry, about high-tech par excellence. With trade visitors from over 100 countries, it is one of the most international trade fairs in the industry. It brings together decision-makers, developers, dealers and trade businesses from all areas of the value chain - from the forestry sector to mechanical engineering and the skilled trades. For our exhibitors, Ligna is far more than just a trade fair - it is the world's leading industry event that combines innovation, market presence and business success. It is the stage on which they showcase their innovations, open up new markets and establish direct customer contacts. Nowhere else is the wood industry so concentrated and internationally represented," says Stephanie Wagner.

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