Jul 30 2014
Global aluminium consumption is growing steadily. Above all the transport sector is driving growth, with CO2 reduction targets in Europe and the US accelerating demand for lightweight base materials. But the construction and packaging sectors are showing excellent growth rates, as well. This increasing demand from all application sectors will also be felt at the industry’s largest trade fair worldwide, ALUMINIUM 2014. About 950 exhibitors from 50 nations are expected at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre from 7 to 9 October – a new record.
On the heels of the successful change of venue from Essen to Düsseldorf two years ago, ALUMINIUM is poised for further growth ahead of its 10th edition. “The decision for Düsseldorf set the stage for the future development of the trade fair. The Düsseldorf location enables further qualitative and structural enhancements for 2014”, says ALUMINIUM Event Director Michael Köhler. With the support of GDA, the German Confederation of the Aluminium Industry, and EAA, the European Aluminium Association, ALUMINIUM 2014 will present the sector’s full performance spectrum: from the production of the base material through to its processing and the finished product.
In doing so, the trade fair’s layout mirrors the process chain from Primary Production (Hall 9) to Foundries and Heat Treatment and Recycling (Hall 10) and Semi-finished Products and associated technologies (Halls 11 & 12) to Surface, Finishing, Metal Working, Welding and Joining (Hall 13). In addition to manufacturers and processors, many mechanical and plant engineering companies also participate in ALUMINIUM.
Once again this year, the international aluminium industry will be represented in Düsseldorf, from major key players such as Alcoa, Constellium, Hydro, Trimet, Rusal, SMS, BWG, Sapa and Quatar Aluminium to smaller specialty providers. What’s more, among the 950 exhibitors will be 46 companies whose participation in ALUMINIUM dates back to the first edition in 1997, including Achenbach Buschhütten, Assan Alüminyum, Ebner Industrieofenbau, Hertwich Engineering, Otto Junkers, SMS and Wagstaff. “The ALUMINIUM trade fair in Germany is by far the best and most efficient industry trade fair for the aluminium sector. Like the trade fair, Assan Alüminyum has grown by leaps and bound in recent years, and we each have contributed to the other’s rapid growth”, says Arbek Akay, Strategy and Planning Director of Assan Alüminyum. Svein Richard Brandtzæg, President and CEO of Hydro, also banks on ALUMINIUM as both a reflection of and growth catalyst for the industry: “Global demand for aluminium has virtually doubled since the first ALUMINIUM in 1997. And it might nearly double again by 2030.”
Trade fair presents entire world of aluminium
More than 50 nations will get together at ALUMINIUM 2014. Among the largest exhibitor nations this year (behind Germany) will be Italy (with more than 100 exhibitors), with Turkey and China not far behind. Other European countries as well as North America, the Arab states and Asia will also be represented in numbers at ALUMINIUM. Moreover, several country pavilions reflect the trade fair’s international relevance. Among them will be two Chinese showcases (Halle 9+12), the Dutch and Danish Pavilions and the Nordic Pavilion presenting a group of companies from Norway and Iceland.
Theme Pavilions and Innovation Areas highlight trend topics
ALUMINIUM’s Theme Pavilions are designed to provide visitors with a bundled overview of individual key themes. The Competence Centre Surface Technology in Hall 13 will serve as the central hub for surface treatments, with 25 exhibitors showcasing their aluminium coating, varnishing and anodising technologies. Additional topics will include corrosion protection and testing and measurement technology. The pavilion is supported by the German Association for Surface Refinement of Aluminium (VOA) and by GSB International, an association dedicated to ensuring quality in the piecework coating of components. Items having been treated with particularly interesting coatings will be on display at a special show at the associations’ stand.
The Foundry Pavilion (Hall 10) will be “all about casting”, with exhibitors representing the sand, mould and die casting sectors. Their joint stand is supported by the Federal Association of the German Foundry Industry.
Hall 9 will be home to the showcase of the aluminium-producing industry. The Primary Pavilion will cover technologies for producing alumina and aluminium, equipment for transporting alumina and electrolysis technologies for anode production.
The Welding and Joining Pavilion in Hall 13 will be dedicated to metalworking and metal processing. The central focus here will be on plants, machinery, equipment and accessories for the joining, separating and coating of aluminium. Aluminium welding, bonding, brazing and separating technology will be found here, as well.
WGM, the association representing the German non-ferrous semi-finished goods industry, will again present its own pavilion, a joint stand in Hall 1 featuring several companies involved with semi-finished metal products.
Recycling Pavilion debuts
“Urban Mining” is becoming increasingly important for the aluminium sector. Used aluminium is considered an abundant and indispensable source of raw materials. With the Recycling Pavilion, the trade fair is creating its first dedicated venue for the recycling industry – while at the same time reflecting the aluminium industry’s strengthening focus on sustainability and energy efficiency. Specialised industrial enterprises from Germany, Italy, Spain, China and Dubai will present their solutions for recycling the light metal at their joint stand in Hall 9.
Magnesium Area
Magnesium plays a key role, particularly in the hardening of aluminium alloys. The Magnesium Area in Hall 10 will be dedicated to current application examples. The Magnesium Area receives support from the European Association for Magnesium (EFM). In addition, the concurrent Magnesium Automotive and User Seminar will be held in Düsseldorf on 6 and 7 October.
Innovation Areas
Meanwhile, ALUMINIUM exhibitors will be showcasing novel ideas and hands-on presentations of high-tech products at the Innovation Areas. Two special shows, respectively dedicated to the “Automotive” and “Building” themes, will provide visitors with a better “grasp” of the diversity of aluminium. These special areas will be located in Hall 13.
Research Forum, IFAM
The Research Forum, which is supported by the Fraunhofer Institute Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM), will provide a stage for research institutes to present their latest projects. A concurrent lecture series will discuss manufacturing technologies, questions revolving around production logistics, coating and joining technologies, and innovative aluminium applications.
International Forum puts spotlight on Chinese and Indian markets
Featuring exhibitors from more than 50 nations, ALUMINIUM provides the most comprehensive overview of the industry and emerging markets. The trade fair’s new “International Forum” will put the spotlight on two of them: China and India. Held for the first time, the lecture forum in Hall 13 is geared towards both German and international companies interested in expanding their activities abroad. Officials representing embassies, regional aluminium associations and corporations as well as tax professionals will give lectures on topics such as market entry, opportunities and risks for European companies and trade fair appearances in other countries. Admission to the International Forum is free of charge for trade fair visitors; lectures are held in English.
Recruiting Area
The Recruiting Area is a special area offered by ALUMINIUM as a venue for exhibiting companies, students and professionals to get to know each other. The area delivers an all-encompassing programme with offerings ranging from the trade fair’s very own Online Job Market to application checks for students provided by Kaiser Stähler Rekrutierungsberatung GmbH to job postings matching students, graduates and skilled workers. Capping off the event will be the Recruiting Reception in a casual setting.
ALUMINIUM Conference reveals potential for the future
Forty presentations, five sessions: The ALUMINIUM Conference 2014 will provide an overview of aluminium’s future potential as a material for a wide range of application markets. In presentations fitting the overarching theme “Aluminium – Material for the Future”, materials experts from companies such as Linde, Novelis, Constellium, Hydro, Daimler, BMW, Henkel, Rio Tinto Alcan and Alcoa will share new insights from these segments: Plant and Equipment, Automotive, Surface and Aluminium Markets. The international conference is being organised once again by trade fair partner GDA, the German Confederation of the Aluminium Industry. The conference will start at 9:30 am daily. Individual sessions – each one consisting of eight lectures – will last half a day. The conference language is English.
EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM AWARD puts innovative strenght on display
Many new developments in the transport sector, mechanical engineering, construction and the consumer goods industry begin with aluminium. The most innovative applications will once again be recognised with the EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM AWARD, a prize presented by the Aluminium Centrum (Netherlands) in collaboration with EAA, the European Aluminium Association; GDA, the German Confederation of the Aluminium Industry; and ALUMINIUM 2014. An international jury is evaluating 83 submissions from 11 countries. In addition, one of the nominees in the “Design & Lifestyle” category will receive an audience award, as determined through open online voting starting in late August. The honours, which include six awards and numerous special prizes, will be presented at the ALUMINIUM Night at the CCD Stadthalle venue on 7 October.
The lightweight construction summit of the year: ALUMINIUM and COMPOSITES EUROPE
ALUMINIUM and parallel event COMPOSITES EUROPE, the European Trade Fair for Composites, join forces as a powerful trade fair double-pack for the lightweight construction sector. More than 400 exhibitions will showcase trending composites themes at COMPOSITES EUROPE – from the latest generation of GFRPs to the most innovative carbon applications in automotive and aeronautical engineering. The trade fair’s overall focus will be on automation of production processes and high-volume manufacturing of composites. ALUMINIUM and COMPOSITES EUROPE will bring together a combined total of more than 1,300 exhibitors in an impressive display of key technologies and applications for markets with an interest in lightweight construction materials.
www.aluminium-messe.com
www.composites-europe.com
About ALUMINIUM 2014
At ALUMINIUM 2014, the world’s largest trade event of the aluminium industry, aluminium producers and converters meet with suppliers of technologies and equipment for production, further processing and finishing. With the support of GDA – the German Confederation of the Aluminium Industry and EAA, the European Aluminium Association, the trade fair shows the full performance spectrum every two years: from the production of the base material through to its processing and the finished product. The latest trade fair registered 907 exhibitors and 21,508 visitors. More than 950 exhibitors are expected at ALUMINIUM 2014.