HANNOVER, Germany – Digitization, sustainability, and the circular economy were at the forefront of LIGNA 2025 – and throughout its five-day run, the woodworking fair delivered in spades.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary year, LIGNA 2025 hosted 1,433 exhibitors from 49 countries, showcasing the latest technology for the primary and secondary wood products sectors, including companies involved in the manufacture of furniture, cabinetry, millwork, and other wood and panel-based products. Co-organized by Deutsche Messe AG and VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association, the biennial show was held May 26-30 at the fairgrounds in Hannover, Germany.

“LIGNA has impressively reaffirmed its unique position as the world’s leading trade fair for the industry. Around 78,000 visitors from 156 countries came to Hanover, putting us on par with the previous event in 2023. Given the circumstances, that is a strong result,” said Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO at Deutsche Messe AG.

While a few exhibitors noted the show was a little quieter, the majority of those visited by Woodworking Network staff said they were pleased with the overall results and the quality of attendance. According to show management, the proportion of trade visitors at LIGNA 2025 was 93 percent, with 60 percent of them holding management positions; 44 percent of those in top management.

“Despite all the benefits of digitalization, nothing can replace the experience of seeing machines in live operation at a trade fair. I would like to thank all LIGNA exhibitors who demonstrated this so clearly here,” Köckler added. “The combination of innovation, technological progress, and passion is the best foundation for renewed investment.”

Spread across 1.23 million square feet (114,078 square meters) of exhibit space, exhibitors presented solutions for the entire value chain, from forestry and sawmilling to solid wood and panel processing for custom and high-production, and showed how current challenges can be addressed and turned into opportunities. The spotlight was on digitalization, automation, artificial intelligence, smart production, sustainable and climate-friendly construction using wood and wood-based materials, and the responsible, future-oriented use of wood as a resource.

Köckler stated, “What makes LIGNA unique worldwide is its role as an international marketplace for the woodworking and wood processing industry. This is where global supply meets international demand. With 56 percent of visitors coming from abroad, LIGNA clearly demonstrates that it is the undisputed world’s leading trade fair for the industry and enables global business at the highest level.”

According to show management, the largest groups of international visitors came from Poland, Italy, and Austria, followed by the Netherlands, France, and Belgium. North America also had a contingent of visitors and exhibitors at the show.

“We had a successful LIGNA that provided motivation and momentum in an otherwise uncertain environment. The situation differs across segments and manufacturers, but everyone here in Hannover discussed important projects and recharged their batteries. For some, this even resulted in unexpected orders at their stands – which gives us confidence that the industry will quickly bounce back,” added Markus Hüllmann, chairman of the executive board of the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association.

Hundreds of products make their debut
Exhibitors showcased solutions focused on three key industry topics: connectivity, sustainable production, and engineered wood. In addition, more than 900 products debuted at the show, including numerous advancements that elevate the resource-efficient use of energy and materials to a new level.

Watch the video below of some of the new products at the show

“This year’s LIGNA showcased innovative approaches to resource-efficient production across the entire value chain – among many other advancements – providing valuable momentum for us in the German furniture industry. The topics of sustainability and the circular economy are of central importance to our manufacturers,” noted Jan Kurth, CEO of the German Furniture Industry Associations.

Another trend at LIGNA 2025, noted show management, was the redefinition of the human role amid the technological revolution driven by AI and machine learning. Contrary to many expectations, humans are neither being marginalized nor replaced; instead, they are given more space to develop their creativity. Genuine emotionality, they added, is becoming an indispensable complement to artificial intelligence.

“The cohesion and cooperation within the woodworking community at LIGNA was clear evidence of this,” Köckler commented. “Trade fairs are meeting places for people in a community that cannot be replaced. Genuine closeness cannot be streamed or replicated by AI.”

The next LIGNA will take place May 10 to 14, 2027, at the exhibition grounds in Hannover. For more information, visit LIGNA.de.

Watch a video below of some of the new products at the show. Stay tuned for more coverage from the show, to be posted soon at WoodworkingNetwork.com.