Hannover/Shanghai. The 11th China International Metallurgical Industry Expo, the 9th China International Foundry, Metalforming and Industrial Furnace Exhibition (Metal+Metallurgy 2008) and Casting China International 2008 (Casting China 2008) successfully completed on June 6 at Shanghai New International Expo Center. Covering a total display area of 60,000 sqm, the four-day fair had altogether 1,100 exhibitors from 28 countries and regions to showcase the state-of-the-art technology and equipment of metallurgy and foundry industries. Three shows saw an excellent turnout of 31,867 visitors all over the world, a 10.7% increase of the overseas visitors compared with the 2004's edition.
Since 2006, China has gone from being a net importer of crude steel to a net exporter and today produces more crude steel than the four next-largest steel producing nations combined. The nation's steel consumption has quadrupled since 1998 and looks set to grow by up to five percent annually over the next few years. This strong momentum has stirred up great enthusiasm among domestic enterprises. Organized by CFA (China Foundry Association) and MC-CCPIT (the Metallurgical Council of CCPIT), an impressive line-up of domestic leading companies actively participated in the grand event; among them are Anshan Iron and Steel, BaoSteel, Baotou Steel, Beijing Beiying, Chongqing Qingling Casting, Deyang Dongqi, Dongbei Special Steel, EIRICH, FAW, Jinan Iron and Steel, Jiuquan Iron and Steel, Laiwu Steel, L.K. Technology, Ningxia Kocel, RAMON, SINO Steel, SINTO, Shougang, SQ, Suzhou Xingye, Taiyuan Iron and Steel, Tangshan Iron and Steel, Wuhan Iron and Steel, Wuyang Iron and Steel, Xiangtan Iron and Steel, Zhejiang Wanfeng, etc.
Competing with domestic exhibitors on the same arena were over 200 international companies from Germany, USA, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Turkey etc all over the world, occupying a total display area of 12,000 sqm. With their strong attendance highlighting this year's show, the overseas exhibitors impressed the visitors world-wide with most advanced technological solutions and the latest trends of the industry, all presented in rich forms and contents. The international pavilions boast a line-up of world renowned names including ABP Induction, Ashland, CEC, Danieli, DISA, Gustav Eirich, Foundry Automation, Hunter, Inductotherm, Loramendi, OSCHATZ, PARKER, PAUL WURTH, Siemens VAI, Sintokogio, SMA Meer, SKF, SMS Metallurgy, TENOVA, Timken, TMEIC and Vesuvius.
The Metal + Metallurgy China is supported by well known industry associations all over the world. From the European side CECOF, CEMAFON and EUnited Metallurgy with their members AMAFOND and VDMA have a long tradition in supporting this leading fair in China. In addition Spain is represented through its association Fundigex. But also CISA of America has a great contribution to the international participation.
The Danish enterprises DISA Group, known as "IBM in foundry industry", attracted many visitors with a blue-colored backdrop at the booth. Their two machines boast as the company's world renowned patent products. And the patented technology DISMATIC used for the machinery has been keeping its world top position ever since it came out. Not only did most exhibitors display their large-scale machines, quite a few overseas industrial leaders also presented to the visitors their industrial integration solutions. This is intended to tackle the problem with today's large-scale steel mills that have high-level technology yet lack overall framework.
To meet the demand of domestic industries, the three joint showcases served as a bridge between the global market and the most dynamic, fastest growing market in China. Mr. Wolfgang Lenarz, Senior Vice President of Deutsche Messe said, "China needs high-caliber, internationalized and professional organized shows like Metal+Metallurgy China. As the organizer, it's our goal to establish a professional platform for business contacts between exhibitors and visitors. On one hand, exhibitors can make full use of the platform to make face-to-face contacts with to a high number of customers with a very compact investment of time; on the other hand, customers can make comparisons between different technologies, products and prices offered by different exhibitors. And in this manner, both can achieve a win-win outcome. Also, three shows achieved overwhelming thumbs-up from exhibitors.
" Metal+Metallurgy has a growing influence among us. We are very delighted with the quality and quantity of visitors this year. Through the organizers concerted effort, we have yielded the optimum returns at the exhibition and made contacts with many new customers. We are very satisfied with the show." Jiang Yuhua, General Manager of Zhejiang Wanfeng Technology Development Co., Ltd. commented pleasantly, "We will certainly come back again and further expand our display area."
Stefan Lindner, Project Manager of Siemens AG said delightedly to the organizer, "Here we have more opportunity to present our products and show our professional record to the Chinese market; and we have good meetings with technical personnel and management board from great companies. I believe the show is also a good place for the Chinese market to make new contacts with international players. We will come again in 2010."
Apart from showcases of leading products and advanced technology, a rich array of high-quality forums were also held in concurrency with the three exhibitions, particularly focusing on "Green Manufacturing". Among them were the 5th China Int'l Steel Congress featuring a theme of "Green Steel" and a highlight on technological innovation, the 8th CFA Congress themed on "Developing Environmental Friendly Foundry Plants", as well as the 2008 Explanation Conference for Multinational Casting Procurement. All these activities have contributed to establishing a broader and more effective platform for business dialogues and academic exchanges within the industries.
The Metal+Metallurgy 2008 and Casting China 2008 are organized jointly by CFA, MC-CCPIT, Industrial Furnace Institution of CMES, Hannover-Messe International GmbH and Hannover Fairs Shanghai Ltd. The next edition of Metal+Metallurgy China and Casting China will take place in Beijing in 2010.
