Now in its 50th anniversary year, Ligna seems to be reflecting on its origins. Back in 1975, the trade fair branched off from Hannover Messe as an independent brand amidst the oil crisis. Now, 50 years later, the woodworking and wood processing industry is once again facing economic challenges, and Ligna is stepping forward to provide optimism and forward-looking solutions.

The world’s leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry has already secured commitments from more than 1,100 exhibitors spanning more than 1,05,000 square metres of exhibition space. For context, Ligna 2023 saw 1,300 exhibitors occupying 1,14,000 square metres and attracted 80,000 visitors.

“The excellent registration numbers for Ligna 2025 are a tremendously important signal for the entire woodworking community. It’s far from guaranteed that companies would commit to their leading trade fair given the current, often extremely challenging economic climate,” says Stephanie Wagner, Head of Ligna at Deutsche Messe.

She continues, “That our customers are willing to make this investment despite the current economic situation underscores the high significance Ligna enjoys. As organizers – VDMA and Deutsche Messe – we are both grateful and proud to host Ligna in its 50th anniversary year, serving the entire industry.”

Dr. Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of VDMA Woodworking Machinery, highlights Ligna’s pivotal role in driving investment and innovation. “Ligna’s timing could not be better – I am confident our industry will gain significant momentum.”

Focus topics

During the five days of the trade fair in May 2025, exhibitors will showcase innovative solutions around the Ligna focus topics of ‘Connectivity’, ‘Sustainable production’ and ‘Engineered wood’.

With a strong international presence – two-thirds of exhibitors coming from abroad and one-third from Germany – Ligna offers the industry a comprehensive platform to explore design options for essential transformation processes.

The focus topics address both craft businesses and industrial groups, as the entire industry is dealing with complete digital networking, the establishment of a circular economy, and the development of intelligent products. The topics bring together international solution providers to tackle these three key challenges.

A look at the 10 Ligna halls and the open-air site reveals a familiar structure: Halls 11 to 15 and 27 will feature tools and machinery for custom and mass production, demonstrating how craftsmanship and industrial applications can successfully converge through innovative technologies.

Halls 25 and 26 will focus on sawmill technology, wood-based panel production, and energy from wood. The open-air site and pavilions will be dedicated to machinery for forestry, roundwood and sawn timber production.

A key highlight of the outdoor exhibition area will be the new format TruckStop, which will serve as a central hub for skilled trades. Show trucks, vans and transporters will allow suppliers to present their products directly to trade visitors in an engaging and accessible way.

Components, automation

For those seeking machine components and automation technology – such as efficient drive solutions, control systems for CNC machines, energy-efficient transport and handling systems, and high-performance robotics – Hall 16 will be the go-to destination. Additionally, state-of-the-art surface technology will be showcased in Halls 16 and 17.

The special formats for Ligna 2025, tailored to the woodworking and wood processing industry, include established presentations such as Future Square (Hall 12), recruiting (Hall 12), and campus (Hall 11) and circularity (Hall 12).

As a hub for a community dedicated to the circular economy in the woodworking and wood processing industry, Ligna.Circular serves as a vital bridge connecting users, service providers, manufacturers and craftspeople.

This special format aims to enhance collaboration with relevant cross-sector and service industries, fostering interdisciplinary networking to drive practical solutions and advance the circular transformation effectively.

Further information on Ligna 2025 is available at www.ligna.de.

Comments