Global aluminium consumption is growing steadily. Above all the transport sector is driving growth, with CO2 reduction targets in Europe and the US accelerating demand for lightweight base materials. But the construction and packaging sectors are showing excellent growth rates, as well. This increasing demand from all application sectors will also be felt at the industry’s largest trade fair worldwide, ALUMINIUM 2014. About 950 exhibitors from 50 nations are expected at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre from 7 to 9 October – a new record.
On the heels of the successful change of venue from Essen to Düsseldorf two years ago, ALUMINIUM is poised for further growth ahead of its 10th edition. “The decision for Düsseldorf set the stage for the future development of the trade fair. The Düsseldorf location enables further qualitative and structural enhancements for 2014”, says ALUMINIUM Event Director Michael Köhler. With the support of GDA, the German Confederation of the Aluminium Industry, and EAA, the European Aluminium Association, ALUMINIUM 2014 will present the sector’s full performance spectrum: from the production of the base material through to its processing and the finished product.
In doing so, the trade fair’s layout mirrors the process chain from Primary Production (Hall 9) to Foundries and Heat Treatment and Recycling (Hall 10) and Semi-finished Products and associated technologies (Halls 11 & 12) to Surface, Finishing, Metal Working, Welding and Joining (Hall 13). In addition to manufacturers and processors, many mechanical and plant engineering companies also participate in ALUMINIUM.
Once again this year, the international aluminium industry will be represented in Düsseldorf, from major key players such as Alcoa, Constellium, Hydro, Trimet, Rusal, SMS, BWG, Sapa and Quatar Aluminium to smaller specialty providers. What’s more, among the 950 exhibitors will be 46 companies whose participation in ALUMINIUM dates back to the first edition in 1997, including Achenbach Buschhütten, Assan Alüminyum, Ebner Industrieofenbau, Hertwich Engineering, Otto Junkers, SMS and Wagstaff. “The ALUMINIUM trade fair in Germany is by far the best and most efficient industry trade fair for the aluminium sector.
Like the trade fair, Assan Alüminyum has grown by leaps and bound in recent years, and we each have contributed to the other’s rapid growth”, says Arbek Akay, Strategy and Planning Director of Assan Alüminyum. Svein Richard Brandtzæg, President and CEO of Hydro, also banks on ALUMINIUM as both a reflection of and growth catalyst for the industry: “Global demand for aluminium has virtually doubled since the first ALUMINIUM in 1997. And it might nearly double again by 2030.”
