Technology & Innovations
Technologies and Innovations for the Metal Industry
Technologies and innovations are shaping the future of the metals industry. New processes, digital solutions and modern manufacturing technologies help companies to continuously optimise production processes and adapt them to future requirements. At the same time, research and industrial development lay the foundations for new applications, materials and production concepts.
The Bright World of Metals creates an international platform for these developments. The four world-leading trade fairs – GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST – bring together companies, users, research institutions and experts from various sectors of the metallurgical value chain and showcase innovations across the entire process chain.
What drives Innovation in the Metals Industry?
Technological innovations arise from the interplay of research, industrial development and practical application. New processes, materials, machinery and digital technologies are continuously being developed to make production processes more efficient, flexible and sustainable.
Innovation means more than just the development of new technologies. What matters is how new solutions can be integrated into industrial processes and what contribution they make to quality, productivity and competitiveness.
Which Areas of Innovation are shaping the Industry?
The metal industry is constantly evolving. New technologies and industrial applications are opening up potential across the entire value chain – from product development and manufacturing right through to new applications for metallic materials.
New technologies & industrial applications
New processes, plant concepts, materials and digital technologies lay the foundations for more efficient production processes and new industrial applications across the entire metallurgical value chain.
Additive Manufacturing
Additive Manufacturing expands the possibilities for the metal industry. From prototypes and tools through to complex components and moulds, additive manufacturing unlocks new potential for development, design and production, and complements existing manufacturing processes.
Start-ups
With innovative technologies, digital solutions and new business models, they are driving developments in areas such as production, automation, materials development and industrial applications.
Downstream technologies & applications
Innovations have an impact beyond the production process. New materials, manufacturing technologies and component concepts open up additional possibilities for downstream processes and industrial applications – from further processing right through to the finished end product.
Green end-use applications
Lightweight construction concepts and resource-efficient manufacturing support the development of sustainable solutions – for example, in mobility, mechanical engineering, energy and infrastructure.
Best practices
Innovations deliver added value in industrial applications. Best practices demonstrate how new technologies can be successfully integrated into existing production processes and provide guidance for the further development of manufacturing, quality and efficiency.
The Bright World of Metals as a platform for Technologies and Innovations
The The Bright World of Metals brings together four world-leading trade fairs with different focal points and demonstrates how technological innovations are driving the metal industry forward along the entire metallurgical value chain.
- GIFA showcases innovations for the foundry industry – from modern foundry equipment and additive manufacturing through to sand casting, digital process solutions and material innovations.
- METEC showcases future technologies for metallurgy – including new metallurgical processes, material developments, automation and innovative production concepts for the iron, steel and non-ferrous metals industries.
- THERMPROCESS highlights innovations in thermal processing technology – from industrial furnaces and heat treatment through to digital process control and modern energy and plant concepts.
- NEWCAST showcases innovative castings and demonstrates how precision casting, lightweight construction, additive manufacturing and new material solutions are driving the further development of industrial applications.
Highlights at GIFA
As part of The Bright World of Metals, GIFA focuses on the foundry industry. Technologies and innovations shape the entire process chain – from the development of new casting processes, through additive manufacturing and sand casting, to digital process solutions and modern foundry equipment.
GIFA demonstrates how innovative technologies support the further development of production processes, materials and industrial applications. The focus is on both new plant and processes and their application in industrial practice.
GIFA’s product categories reflect the diverse fields of innovation within a modern and forward-looking foundry industry.
FAQs on Technology & Innovations
Technological innovations encompass new processes, materials, production concepts and digital solutions that drive the further development of industrial processes. They help companies to continuously improve quality, efficiency and flexibility, and to tap into new fields of application.
Additive manufacturing complements traditional manufacturing processes and opens up new possibilities for prototypes, tools, moulds and complex components. The technology combines digital development with industrial manufacturing and is becoming increasingly important throughout the metallurgical value chain.
The Bright World of Metals brings together innovations across the entire metallurgical value chain. These include, amongst other things, new technologies and industrial applications, additive manufacturing, start-ups, best practices, downstream technologies and sustainable end-use applications for various industrial sectors.
