Ligna’s back! Flagship show expands world-leading status

The focus was on the two megatrends of sustainability and digitisation. The response from Germany and all over the world was a strong 80,000 visitors from 160 countries who took advantage of the opportunity to inform themselves about smart machines and resource-saving production processes.

Anticipation during the run-up to the trade fair was high. Exhibitors and visitors were delighted to be able to come together again in person after a four-year hiatus and witness first-hand the concentrated innovative power of the woodworking and wood processing industry.

“LIGNA 2023 exceeded the high expectations of both our exhibiting companies and our visitors, demonstrating that the machinery, equipment and solutions presented at the show are paving the way for a sustainable and digitised wood, furniture and construction industry,” said Dr Jochen Köckler, Managing Board Chairman of the Deutsche Messe group of companies. “An impressive 60% of visitors came from abroad. LIGNA has further strengthened its position as the world’s leading woodworking tradeshow.

“LIGNA 2023 was not only a platform for presenting new technologies, but also a venue for knowledge transfer and networking,” said Dr Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of VDMA Woodworking Machinery. “The show demonstrated that the woodworking and wood processing industry offers its customers the necessary technologies for competitive, and at the same time, sustainable production. In view of the uncertain situation currently confronting the woodworking and wood processing industry, the success of LIGNA 2023 speaks volumes for its status as a source of momentum. Not only is it a driver for the industry in good times, but above all, it delivers solutions for the challenges ahead.”

As a result, smart, connected machines, systems and processes that make costs and production more efficient were particularly popular with the community. There was also strong demand for automation and process-optimising solutions to cushion the impact of the shortage of skilled workers.

“Visitors were able to experience the transformation of industry live in our exhibition halls,” Köckler continued.

The entire range of the value chain was on display, from woodworking machinery and equipment to tools and work processes, industrial robots and even exoskeletons to support experts from the skilled trades and forestry. The machines on display are often no longer exclusively limited to processing wood, but are also usable for glass, plastics and composite materials.

According to Köckler: “Furniture or even construction elements, for example, are made from a wide variety of materials. So it’s only logical that LIGNA exhibitors are expanding their product portfolios and offering their customers a wide range of options.”

A key theme at the show consisted of the importance of wood as a renewable resource and its role in the overall decarbonisation process. In the wake of this, timber construction is becoming increasingly important and opening up new market opportunities for mechanical engineering.

Exhibitors at LIGNA 2023 presented solutions that significantly optimise all of the process steps involved in timber construction. Not only does this save on costs, but the use of this precious raw material can also be designed to be as resource-friendly as possible.

The flooring sector and the furniture industry are also increasingly turning to wood as their preferred raw material, as sustainability is becoming increasingly important to end consumers. For example, innovative adhesives based on renewable raw materials also help to reduce CO2 emissions.

As Köckler sees it: “LIGNA 2023 has once again demonstrated that it is an indispensable platform for the woodworking industry. The show not only promoted the exchange of knowledge and experience, but also set the course for future-proof and sustainable woodworking and wood processing.”