COLOGNE, Germany - "Rethinking resources: Circular and bio-based solutions” was the central theme at this year's interzum, and with the large number of products displayed by more than 1,600 exhibitors, visitors had much to think about during the four-day show.

Held May 20-23 in Cologne, Germany, interzum 2025 hosted 1,616 exhibitors from 57 countries, showcasing the latest designs, smart technology, innovations and sustainability in supplies for furniture, cabinetry, closets and related products for the home and workplace. Items on display included the latest decorative surface materials, substrates, hardware, and components. 

“interzum 2025 has once again provided compelling proof that it is the leading platform for the design of future living spaces,” commented Oliver Frese, chief operating officer of Koelnmesse. “The feedback from discussions with our exhibitors confirms that the quality of the visitor profile at the trade fair was consistently outstanding, with discussions between professionals taking place at the highest level. Cologne has again earned its reputation as an excellent venue for international interior design and furniture trade fairs. By working together with a committed sector, we’re staging events with global appeal here in the city.”

An estimated 60,000 visitors from 157 countries came to interzum 2025 for a firsthand look at the new products in the three exhibition segments: Function & Components, Materials & Nature and Textile & Machinery. With the theme of “Rethinking resources: Circular and bio-based solutions” guiding the show, display ranged from foams made from recycled waste to recovered fibers from MDF and HDF boards to resource-efficient zinc recycling systems, with sustainability the dominant theme at many exhibitors’ booths.

Providing inspiration for tomorrow
As a platform for trends and knowledge sharing, in addition to exhibitors’ product presentations, interzum 2025’s central theme was also reflected in the diverse event programs. The three interzum Trend Forums took deep dives into key issues affecting the future of the industry, from biocircular materials and resource-efficient furniture design to the digital product passport as the key to a circular economy.

The interzum Trend Stage once again served as the trade fair’s knowledge hub. Renowned experts presented detailed insights into international industry trends, provided in-depth market analyses and discussed the current regulatory environment. The interzum Product Stage augmented the program with actionable tips relating to new products, best practices and forward-looking strategies from the exhibitors – directly from the source. What all of these presentations made clear, said show management, was that the industry isn’t simply watching the transition from the sidelines, but actively driving progress.

interzum award 2025
The 2025 interzum award linked to the central theme with the introduction of a special “Rethinking Resources” category alongside the three standard categories. From 146 entries submitted by 80 companies from 23 countries, the jury of experts selected 66 forward-looking innovations – including 12 entries that were awarded the highest distinction: “Best of the Best”. Award-winning products were displayed in an exhibition on Boulevard North.

"The award-winning products of the interzum award 2025 impressively demonstrate the strong innovative potential of our industry and how consistently sustainable thinking has now become part of it. Many of the award-winning solutions pick up on
the guiding theme of ‘Rethinking Resources’ and clearly show how creative and future-oriented our exhibitors are today. This commitment is an important source of momentum and direction for the industry’s future success,” said Maik Fischer,
director of interzum.

Managing Director of Red Dot and interzum award jury member Vito Oražem, added, “For this year’s interzum award, we were specifically looking for innovations that combine good design with functional added value. Our aim was to give the furniture industry new impetus – for products and services that are better designed, easier to use and more competitive internationally.”

Those distinguished with "Best of the Best" honors were:

• “Rethinking Resources” category (3 projects): (1) Häfele SE & Co KG for its Dynamic Living residential module, which enables flexible use of space in a very small area thanks to movable walls,modular furnishings and integrated lighting solutions; (2) The Vita Group for the Vita Advanced mattress, which achieves a new level of circular product design through the use of mass-balanced, recycled and bio-circular raw materials; and (3) Forbo Flooring B.V. for Furniture Linoleum, based entirely on natural raw materials: linseed oil, recycled wood flour, paper backing and limestone.

• Function & Components category (2 projects): (1) Julius Blum GmbH received the award for PLICOBOX, a box system for living areas featuring a folding base, tool-free assembly and modern design; and (2) Arturo Salice SpA for the Exedra2 motorized
slide-in door system, in which doors disappear silently into the furniture body, and no visible guide rails.

• Materials & Nature category (4 projects): (1) Alvic FR Mobiliario, S.L. for Zenit 3.0, a super-matt, UV-lacquered decorative panel with high scratch resistance, an anti-fingerprint surface and an easy-to-regenerate coating; and (2) Tabu Spa for the ReFIGURED Veneers Collection, a series of colored veneers made from five types of wood that combine aesthetic sophistication with high functionality thanks to innovative fiber orientation; (3) MIA SRL's Zeus model from the Stereo Collection demonstrates how 3D embossed plywood can set new design accents in furniture and interior design; and (4) OWI GmbH for OWI-FiberFlex, an innovative wood fiber material for the production of moulded parts. 

• Textile & Machinery category (1) Spinks for Microlution, a pocket spring core system with a two-stage spring structure that
adapts individually to the shape of the body and offers both comfort and targeted support; (2) Innofa for Snö: Snöphyte & Snöphene, two textile cooling technologies that combine bio-based phase change materials, polyethylene yarns and graphene to create a triple cooling concept; and (3) Love Home Fabrics for Moreganic Natural Latex, a latex component for mattresses and upholstery that comes from agroforestry production and is certified according to the Moreganic standard. 

“interzum 2025 has demonstrated the strength of this industry’s will to innovate – and the strength of its desire for sustainable change," stated Matthias Pollmann, Koelnmesse’s vice president Trade Fair Management. "We’re already looking ahead to the next event, when we intend to keep on supporting this process of transformation and stimulating new ideas. Our aim is to continue to offer the industry a platform where global trends are not only discussed, but actively shaped.”

The next interzum will take place May 11-14, 2027, in Cologne. For more information, visit interzum.com.