ALUMINIUM 2010: Trade fair growing with new hall structure New themes:
Solar technology, piecework coating, magnesium
Autumn will once again see the gathering of the international aluminium industry and its major fields of application in Essen: from 14 to 16 September 2010, aluminium manufacturers, processors, suppliers of technology and equipment for aluminium production, processing and finishing, as well as decision-makers from the segments of aluminium application will meet at the ALUMINIUM World Fair. Once every two years, the trade fair showcases the full range of products and services offered by the industry: from primary production to processing through to the finished product.
Five months before the start of the trade fair, 650 exhibitors from more than 40 countries have confirmed their participation, among them all the key players of the industry. Even in economically challenging times, therefore, the trade fair remains set for growth, while becoming increasingly international: more than half of the exhibitors come to ALUMINIUM from abroad. Especially the number of exhibitors from the Middle East has increased this year.
Even at this early stage it is certain that at its eighth edition the world’s largest industry fair will continue to grow: the exhibition area this year will cover 60,000 square metres in nine halls – with currently 90 percent of the available space already booked. In order to cater for the continued growth and give the fair a clearer structure, the halls will be organised along theme lines for the first time. Following the value creation chain, the fair will now be divided into six segments: primary production and suppliers, intermediate and semi-finished products, surface treatment and technologies, casting and thermal treatment, metal working and processing and the segment dedicated to technologies for combining aluminium with other materials, such as welding, bonding and joining.
New theme pavilions
The existing subdivision of the fair into segments in the form of theme pavilions, which was very well received by exhibitors in the past, will be continued and developed. In addition to the familiar joint stands covering the themes of surface, foundry, joining and welding as well as primary production, three new joint stands will celebrate their premiere at ALUMINIUM 2010: the new themes are solar technology, piecework coating and magnesium.
The new “Piecework Coating Pavilion“ will be set up with the support of GSB International – Quality Association for the Piecework Coating of Building Components. It will be located in Hall 4 which, following the new hall segmentation, is dedicated to the surface theme. The Surface Pavilion, sponsored by VOA, will again be located in the neighbouring “Galeria“. Even after enlargement, the Surface Pavilion is already fully booked.
The Solar Pavilion specifically targets suppliers of aluminium for solar technology. The material has been well established for a long time as the basis for substructures, poles, mounting systems or mouldings for solar modules in this sector which is of increasing interest for the industry as a sales market.
Premiere of the Magnesium Pavilion
For the very first time, ALUMINIUM 2010 with the Magnesium Pavilion, designates a separate theme zone for an additional material. The Magnesium Pavilion is supported by the European Research Association for Magnesium (EFM). Magnesium plays an important role especially for the hardening of aluminium alloys. Up to 5% is added to the aluminium, thereby improving processing characteristics such as, for instance, weldability. The largest consumer of aluminium magnesium alloys is the packaging industry (50 %), followed by the automotive industry (35%) and the building sector (15%).
ALUMINIUM and COMPOSITES EUROPE – the largest platform for the topic of lightweight construction This year, ALUMINIUM and COMPOSITES EUROPE will once again be held as parallel events. The international trade fair for fibre-reinforced plastics displays the entire value creation chain in the composites industry – from material production to the finished products in the application industries such as automotive construction or aerospace. Looking back on four successful editions already, COMPOSITES EUROPE is increasingly proving an impulse giver for the industry throughout Europe. With more than 1,000 exhibitors, both trade fairs together form the largest platform for the topic of lightweight construction.
