HANNOVER, Germany - Six months out, LIGNA 2025 already has commitments from more than 1,100 exhibitors, spanning more than 1.13 million square feet of exhibition space, putting it on track to surpass the previous show. 

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the world's leading trade fair for the wodworking industry is scheduled to take place May 26-30 in Hannover, Germany. Organized jointly by Deutsche Messe and VDMA Woodworking Machinery, LIGNA had 1,300 exhibitors occupying 1.23 million square feet, and attracted 80,000 visitors in 2023.

“The excellent registration numbers for LIGNA 2025 are a tremendously important signal for the entire woodworking community. It’s far from guaranteed that companies would commit to their leading trade fair given the current, often extremely challenging economic climate,” said Stephanie Wagner, head of LIGNA at Deutsche Messe. 

She continued, “Participating in a trade fair is a significant investment. LIGNA exhibitors require large spaces and intricate stand designs to showcase their large, complex machines and systems in live operation. That our customers are willing to make this investment despite the current economic situation underscores the high significance LIGNA enjoys. As organizers — VDMA and Deutsche Messe — we are both grateful and proud to host LIGNA in its 50th anniversary year, serving the entire industry.”

Dr. Bernhard Dirr, VDMA managing director, highlighted LIGNA’s role in driving industry investment and innovation. “The anticipated recovery is still delayed, but our surveys show that most companies expect a clear upturn from the second quarter of 2025 — perfectly timed for LIGNA. Confidence and trust are key to overcoming the current investment backlog. It’s equally essential that politicians establish clear frameworks post-elections to foster innovation and investment. LIGNA’s timing could not be better — I am confident our industry will gain significant momentum.”

Focus topics have international interest
During the five days of LIGNA 2025, exhibitors will showcase solutions on the focus topics: connectivity, sustainable production and engineered wood. "With the LIGNA focus topics, we address both craft businesses and industrial groups, as the entire industry is dealing with complete digital networking, the establishment of a circular economy, and the development of intelligent products,” said Wagner.

• LIGNA.Connectivity provides solutions for achieving vertical and horizontal integration by creating interfaces with existing systems to enable seamless digital networking. 
• LIGNA.Sustainable Production highlights economically viable approaches for the woodworking trade and industry, focusing on protecting the environment, preserving resources for future generations, and improving working conditions. 
• LIGNA.Engineered Wood delves into the development of intelligently designed wood products, such as composite materials created by binding or fixing wood strands, particles, fibers, veneers, or panels for diverse applications. 

10 exhibit halls plus open-air display
LIGNA 2025 will once again showcase displays in 10 exhibit halls plus outdoor sites. Halls 11 to 15 and 27 will feature tools and machinery for custom and mass production. Halls 16 and 17 will also showcase state-of-the-art surface technology, with machine components and automation technology, including control systems for CNC machines and high-performance robotics also located in Hall 16. Halls 25 and 26 will focus on sawmill technology, wood-based panel production, and energy from wood.  (View a map of the halls.)

The open-air site and pavilions will be dedicated to machinery for forestry, roundwood and sawn timber production.  A highlight of the outdoor exhibition area will be the new format LIGNA.TruckStop, which will serve as a central hub for skilled trades, with power tools and fastening technology displayed from roadshow trucks, vans and transporters.

LIGNA expands special formats 
LIGNA's special formats have been expanded to now include LIGNA.Circular (Hall 12) and LIGNA.TruckStop (open-air site). These join the established presentations of LIGNA.FutureSquare (Hall 12), LIGNA.Recruiting (Hall 12), and LIGNA.Campus (Hall 11).

• Conceptualized by the VDMA, LIGNA.FutureSquare showcases innovations from industry suppliers and emerging companies in the VDMA Startup Machine network. 
• “Thinking in Circles” is the motto of LIGNA.Circular format in Hall 12. According to show management, LIGNA.Circular "This special format aims to enhance collaboration with relevant cross-sector and service industries, fostering interdisciplinary networking to drive practical solutions and advance the circular transformation effectively." 
• At LIGNA.TruckStop the spotlight will be on power tools, fittings, and fastening technology, with suppliers such as Festool, Hettich, and Saw Stop showcasing their products from roadshow trucks, vans, and transporters located in the southwestern open-air site of the LIGNA exhibition grounds. Daily practical and expert knowledge will also be shared from a show truck, which will serve as an interactive stage. 
• LIGNA.Recruiting connects young professionals and experienced specialists with employers, with activities similar to “speed dating” taking place on the LIGNA.Stage.
• LIGNA.Campus is a platform for technical colleges and universities to present their educational programs. Visitors can also interact with students and trainees to explore career options in the industry. 

More infomation on LIGNA is available at ligna.de.