Photos: Woodworking
LIGNA 2025 - which marked the 50th anniversary of the leading platform for the international woodworking community – featured 1,433 exhibitors from 49 countries and showcased the latest innovations the industry has to offer. From May 26-30, LIGNA brought together the global woodworking and wood processing industry in Hannover, Germany and provided a significant boost to the sector, ignited fresh momentum, and laid the foundation for future investments.
“LIGNA has impressively reaffirmed its unique position as the world’s leading trade fair for the industry,” said Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO at Deutsche Messe AG.
Around 78,000 visitors from 156 countries came to Hannover putting us on par with the previous event in 2023. Given the circumstances, that is a strong result.”
“Despite all the benefits of digitalization, nothing can replace the experience of seeing machines in live operation at a trade fair and I would like to thank all LIGNA exhibitors who demonstrated this so clearly here.” Köckler said “The combination of innovation, technological progress, and passion is the best foundation for renewed investment.”
The proportion of trade visitors at LIGNA 2025 was 93 per cent, with 60 per cent of them holding management positions and 44 per cent of those in top management.
Whether in forestry, sawmilling, production, manufacturing, or craft industries, exhibitors presented solutions spanning the entire value chain, showing 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 said: “What makes LIGNA unique in the industry is its role as an international marketplace for the woodworking and wood processing industry. This is where global supply meets international demand. With 56 per cent 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.” The largest groups of international visitors came from Poland, Italy, and Austria, followed by the Netherlands, France, and Belgium.
Markus Hüllmann, chairman of the executive board of the VDMA woodworking machinery association, also gave a positive assessment of LIGNA 2025. “We had a successful LIGNA that provided motivation and momentum in an otherwise somewhat uncertain business environment.”
Focus topics reflect the spirit of the times
With its three focus topics – CONNECTIVITY, SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION, and ENGINEERED WOOD – LIGNA 2025 addressed precisely the areas that not only concern the industry, but also offer genuine hope for a world urgently seeking sustainable development. Exhibitors clearly embraced their responsibility, as evidenced across all 10 exhibition halls, two pavilions, and the outdoor area, covering a total of 1.3 million sq. ft. A wide array of smart solutions – from reforestation to finished products – confirm the status of wood as a renewable raw material and the construction material of the moment.
Supporting program inspires with living traditions and new formats
Like no other trade fair in its sector, LIGNA combines a business platform with craftsmanship. It stands equally for groundbreaking developments in high-tech mechanical engineering and innovations in craft businesses. The two new formats, LIGNA.Circular and LIGNA.TruckStop, also attracted great visitor interest. Reflecting the circular transformation that was omnipresent at LIGNA, LIGNA.Circular in Hall 12 became a hotspot for concrete concepts on the circular economy and sustainable material use. In a more hands-on way, LIGNA.TruckStop invited carpenters, joiners, and craftsmen from all trades to exchange ideas about the latest power tools for workshops and business management. 
Innovative strength reflected in more than 900 trade fair premieres
For half a century, companies have timed their product developments to debut at LIGNA, presenting them for the first time to the international trade community. The particularly innovative character of LIGNA 2025 is demonstrated by more than 900 trade fair premieres, including numerous advancements that elevate the resource-efficient use of energy and materials to a new level.
Another clear trend at LIGNA 2025 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.
The next LIGNA will take place from May 10-14, 2027.
