Press Release LIGNA 2025 (26–30 May)
Hannover. In its 50th anniversary year, LIGNA once again demonstrated, with 1,433 exhibitors from 49 countries, that it is the leading platform for the international wood-processing community. From 26 to 30 May, it brought together the global wood industry in Hannover and gave the sector a significant boost, injecting new momentum and laying the foundations for future investments.
“LIGNA has strongly reaffirmed its unique position as the world’s leading trade fair for the sector. In Hannover, 78,000 visitors from 156 countries attended, matching the attendance of the previous edition. Given the circumstances, a truly remarkable result,” said Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe. “Despite all the advantages of digitalisation, the experience of seeing machines in operation live at a trade fair remains irreplaceable. I would like to thank all LIGNA exhibitors for clearly confirming this.” He added: “The combination of innovation, technological progress and passion is the best foundation for a revival of investment.”
The share of qualified visitors at LIGNA 2025 was 93 percent, with 60 percent in managerial positions and 44 percent at senior level.
In forestry, sawmilling, industrial production and craftsmanship alike, exhibitors presented solutions covering the entire value chain, showing how current challenges can be turned into opportunities. The focus was on digitalisation, automation, artificial intelligence, connected production, and sustainable, ecological construction using wood and wood-based materials. Responsible and pioneering use of wood as a resource was strongly highlighted.
“What makes LIGNA unique in the world is its role as an international marketplace for the wood-processing and wood-working industry,” Köckler added. “This is where global supply meets international demand. With 56 percent of visitors coming from abroad, LIGNA clearly demonstrates its status as the undisputed global leading trade fair for the sector, enabling high-level global business.” The largest international visitor groups came from Poland, Italy, Austria, followed by the Netherlands, France and Belgium.
Markus Hüllmann, Chairman of the Board of the German Woodworking Machinery Association within VDMA, also gave a positive assessment of LIGNA 2025: “It was a successful edition that provided motivation and momentum in an otherwise uncertain environment. Feedback varies across sectors and manufacturers, but everyone discussed important projects here in Hannover and recharged their batteries. Some even signed unexpected orders at their stands, which gives hope for a recovery in the sector.”
Core themes reflect the spirit of the times
With its three core themes – CONNECTIVITY, SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION and ENGINEERED WOOD – LIGNA 2025 addressed areas that are not only relevant to the industry but also foster hope for a world urgently in need of sustainable development. Exhibitors clearly embraced their responsibility across all ten halls, two pavilions and the outdoor area, covering a total of 114,078 square metres. A wide range of intelligent solutions – from reforestation to finished products – confirmed that wood is the renewable raw material and construction material of the moment.
Jan Kurth, CEO of the German Furniture Industry Associations, said: “In addition to many innovations, this year’s edition showcased numerous resource-efficient production concepts across the entire value chain, providing valuable momentum for the German furniture industry. Sustainability and the circular economy are of central importance to our manufacturers.”
Strong supporting programme combining tradition and new formats
LIGNA is the only trade fair that combines a business platform with craftsmanship, presenting both cutting-edge industrial technologies and innovations for artisan businesses. The new formats LIGNA.Circular and LIGNA.TruckStop also attracted strong visitor interest. LIGNA.Circular, located in Hall 12, reflected the circular economy concept and became a hotspot for practical solutions for sustainable material use. LIGNA.TruckStop brought carpenters, joiners and tradespeople together for hands-on exchange on the latest power tools.
Over 900 world premieres reflect innovation strength
For 50 years, companies have traditionally chosen LIGNA to present their latest product developments to the international industry community. The particularly high level of innovation in 2025 was reflected in more than 900 world premieres, including many developments that significantly improve energy and material efficiency.
Another clear trend at LIGNA 2025 was the redefinition of the human role in the context of AI and machine learning. Contrary to expectations, humans are not being pushed aside or replaced; instead, they are given more space for creativity. Emotional intelligence and spontaneity are becoming essential complements to artificial intelligence. Jochen Köckler commented: “The cohesion and collaboration within the woodworking community clearly confirm this. For members of a community, trade fairs remain an irreplaceable meeting point. Human relationships cannot be streamed or replaced by AI.”
The next LIGNA will take place in Hannover from 10 to 14 May 2027. “Together with exhibitors and the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association, we have decided that from 2027 onwards LIGNA will no longer overlap with Ascension Day and will instead cover five full working days,” Köckler explained.
LIGNA
The world’s leading trade fair for the wood-processing and wood-working industry is jointly organised by Deutsche Messe and the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association. In 2025 it celebrates its 50th anniversary. LIGNA presents the full range of solutions for primary and secondary wood processing: tools, machines and systems for customised and mass production; surface finishing technology; engineered wood production; sawmill technology; energy from wood; machine components and automation technology; forestry machinery and equipment.
More information: www.ligna.de
Contact: Silke Gathmann, Tel.: +49-511-89 31027, Email: silke.gathmann@messe.de
Press materials: https://www.ligna.de/en/press/
