AMONG THE NEW FEATURES OF THIS EDITION: FORUM ON AEROSPACE & DEFENSE AND ON ENERGY BI-MU FUTURETECH AWARDS
Seven months after its debut, 35.BI-MU, scheduled at fieramilano Rho from 13 to 16 October , is entering the heart of its organizational activity and is doing so at a time when government authorities are preparing to present the implementing decrees for hyper-depreciation , the measure that will give a major boost to the Italian market for machinery and production technologies between now and 2028.
The three-year incentive will significantly boost domestic demand—which has so far been on hold—offering BI-MU exhibitors a truly unique opportunity to tap into and capitalize on users' willingness to invest in new systems.
Registration continues apace, with new attendees confirmed and key players returning. The staff is also busy finalizing all the accompanying initiatives for the event, which is changing its positioning on the weekly calendar. For the first time, BI-MU will open on Tuesday and conclude on Friday . Four days, but all weekdays, as is now the case for most exclusively B2B events.
Promoted by UCIMU and organized by EFIM – ENTE FIERE ITALIANE MACCHINE, for this 35th edition, BI-MU has chosen the slogan "Where it all begins," to emphasize, on the one hand, the central role of machine tools, enabling the majority of manufacturing and the heart of the exhibition, and, on the other, the long and unwavering tradition of this exhibition. 35 editions, in fact, represent 70 years of uninterrupted organizational activity .
At 35.BI-MU, in addition to machinery, seven technological themes will be given particular prominence: RobotHeart, dedicated to robotics, automation, components, systems, and artificial intelligence, sponsored by SIRI; AMITALY, dedicated to the entire additive manufacturing supply chain, sponsored by AITA; BI-MU Digital, digital solutions for the smart factory, with advanced software, connectivity and data security technologies, sensors, and self-adaptive systems; Metrology and Testing , which offers measuring instruments, testing machines, and artificial vision; Power4Machines, dedicated to components for mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic transmission, sponsored by FEDERTEC; Heat and surface treatments , systems and equipment for improving material performance; and, new to this edition, Tool Tech, dedicated to advanced tools for efficient, high-precision production.
The exhibition will be completed by an overview of Revamping & Retrofitting , presenting a selection of machines and systems appropriately regenerated and enhanced to meet the needs of the second-life market, complementary to the "new" market.
Alongside the exhibition, as is tradition, there will be the BI-MUpiù arena with a packed schedule of thematic cultural meetings curated by organizers, exhibitors, and industry experts.
Special focus will be on some of the most dynamic user sectors for investment and innovation development, such as Aerospace & Defense and Energy, which will be hosted in the arena on October 14th and 15th. With these 90-minute forums, BI-MU broadens its horizons, offering industry professionals attending the fair, through the voices of some of the key players in these sectors, a detailed discussion of the most interesting business opportunities for exhibitors.
For young people, the Education & Job project is confirmed, which will have as its flagship ROBOTGAMES , the automation and robotics competition dedicated to secondary school students, now in its second edition.
Another new feature of this edition will be the BI-MU FUTURETECH AWARDS , a prize that celebrates the most innovative manufacturing solutions presented at the fair. The competition is open to exhibitors at 35.BI-MU, who will compete in three categories: mechanical innovation, digitalization, and sustainability. This initiative highlights the event's value as a platform for documenting and anticipating technological advancements in industrial manufacturing.
The lead-up events dedicated to the event continue, the next two appointments are: Wednesday 22 April, at the headquarters of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, “ Industrial service robots and humanoids: an increasingly blurred boundary ” will take place, organised by SIRI, in collaboration with 35.BI-MU and FONDAZIONE UCIMU, and, on Thursday 18 June, at Kilometro Rosso in Bergamo, the “ Innovative Robotics Forum ” will be held, sponsored by 35.BI-MU, organised by Tecnologie Meccaniche and Tecnolamiera with the patronage of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE.
The meeting is dedicated to new developments in process robotics and its applications. Other events dedicated to other key sectors of the event are being planned in the coming months.
Ivs - industrial valve summit: presented the sixth edition of the event
The leading Summit for the industrial valve and flow control industry returns, scheduled at the Bergamo Exhibition Centre, in Italy, from May 19th to 21st, 2026A new record in exhibitors has been reached, with 416 companies (+30% vs. 2024), including nearly 100 international firms (+56%)Two additional halls bring the total to four, an extra exhibition day, and a 30% increase in technical-scientific conferences, covering frontier topics such as AI, hydrogen, renewables, CCUS and nuclear, both next-generation and conventionalA preview of the IVS-Prometeia Observatory “The Oil & Gas Valve Industry in Italy” 2026 was presentedThe press conference presenting the sixth edition of IVS - Industrial Valve Summit, the leading international event dedicated to industrial valve technologies and flow control solutions, was held in Milan. The event, promoted by Servizi Confindustria Bergamo and Promoberg, will take place at the Bergamo Exhibition Centre, in Italy, from May 19th to 21st, 2026.IVS 2026 marks a further step forward in the event’s growth trajectory: Summit organizers anticipate record figures, starting with participating companies. A total of 416 exhibitors (+30% vs. 2024) from 20 countries will attend: alongside Italy, Spain, Germany, France, the UK, the USA, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Finland, Ireland, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and the UAE. The international component is expanding significantly, with around 100 companies (+56%), representing the highest foreign participation ever recorded.The exhibition layout at the Bergamo Exhibition Centre will expand with two additional halls, bringing the total to four and reaching a surface area of 21,400 square meters - approximately 40% larger than the previous edition. The program will extend to three full days open to the public, evolving from a two-day exhibition into a full-fledged “valve week.” This development reflects the organizers’ intention to meet the growing demand for content, networking opportunities and high-level industry dialogue.The strategic value of IVS - Industrial Valve Summit lies in its role as a true forum for the entire supply chain, where shared objectives and distinctive technical expertise converge, fostering dialogue among companies, institutions, research bodies and international operators. In a context marked by geopolitical tensions, the Summit takes on an even more relevant role as a platform for alignment and scenario analysis, offering stakeholders a qualified space to interpret ongoing dynamics, assess impacts across the supply chain and guide industrial strategies. In this context, the initiative plays an enabling role, strengthening the competitive positioning of the national manufacturing system and facilitating access to industrial relationships and development opportunities on a global scale.The decision to anchor the event in Bergamo - a key industrial district - follows a clear rationale aimed at enhancing a highly specialized production ecosystem. Over the years, the event has established itself as a driver for territorial promotion, generating a network of side initiatives that extend its impact beyond the exhibition days, contributing to lasting positive effects for the local area.Scientific programThanks to the scientific contribution of VALVEcampus - the association dedicated to training industrial valve manufacturers and a long-standing partner of the Summit - IVS 2026 will offer a technical program positioned at the forefront of innovation, designed to address the sector’s most pressing challenges. Particular attention will be given to emerging technologies and opportunities in new application markets such as hydrogen, nuclear, CCUS (Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage) and renewable energy - key strategic drivers for industrial development.The overall agenda includes 68 events (+30% compared to 52 in 2024), including conferences, roundtables and technical sessions, structured around six main thematic areas: standardisation and standard development; digital technologies applied to valves, actuations and control; valve design and materials for severe services; advanced sealing solutions for industrial valves; AI applied to mechanical design, procurement and manufacturing; additive manufacturing.Additional sessions will address key topics such as sealing-material innovation, fugitive emissions and the impact of PFAS substances. A dedicated focus on AI will include seven conferences exploring its applications across different industrial contexts, alongside contributions on decentralized production and additive manufacturing.The Summit will also host four high-level technical roundtables on subsea valve actuation in deepwater environments, choke valve applications in high-pressure systems, control valve performance and safety in critical applications, and surface treatment technologies to enhance resistance to erosion and corrosion. A further roundtable will focus on nuclear energy, involving regulators, companies, associations and institutions, with insights on both next-generation (Small Modular Reactors) and conventional nuclear technologies.PartnershipsInternational participation is further supported by synergies with ICE Agency, AVR ANIMA, Confindustria Assafrica & Mediterraneo and UNIDO ITPO Italy. IVS has also entered into agreements with BVAA (the association representing valve actuators manufacturing, servicing, industry suppliers, stockists and industrial valve distributors in the UK), Fluidex (the Spanish association of exporters of fluid handling equipment, process solutions and technologies), SPAP (the Polish industry association for companies operating in the industrial valves and fittings sector), CzechTrade (the Czech government agency for trade promotion), Evolen (the French association of companies and professionals serving Energies), CEIR (the European association of valve manufacturers), SPE (Society of Petroleum Engineers - Italian Section) and ESA (European Sealing Association), also through the presence of country pavilions.These partnerships will bring international delegations of institutional representatives, entrepreneurs, decision-makers, speakers and specialized operators. Organizers have invited qualified buyers from leading End Users and EPC contractors, creating a platform for interaction across the entire energy sector. This also opens opportunities for entry into and consolidation within emerging markets, particularly in Africa, where demographic growth and increasing energy demand make it an area of growing interest for supply-chain development.The history of IVSFrom 5,700 visitors in 2015 - the first edition, which hosted 100 companies - to 8,000 in 2017 and 10,800 in 2019, the Summit has experienced steady growth, both in attendance and in participant quality. In 2020, as preparations for the fourth edition were underway, the Covid-19 pandemic forced a halt. The exhibition centre was converted into a temporary hospital, supporting the community and strengthening the regional healthcare system. The 2021 edition was postponed to 2022, when IVS reached a new milestone: 12,000 visitors from over 60 countries and nearly 300 exhibitors (+17% vs. 2019), confirming its growing relevance despite ongoing mobility restrictions.The fifth edition in 2024 recorded 15,000 participants (+25%) from 69 countries and 325 exhibiting companies (+13%) from 14 nations, with international attendance doubling compared to 2022.Preview of the Observatory “The Oil & Gas Valve Industry in Italy” 2026A preview of the 2026 edition of the IVS-Prometeia Observatory “The Oil & Gas Valve Industry in Italy,” developed with the contribution of the Research Department of Confindustria Bergamo, was presented. The report highlights the state of the Italian industrial valve sector, confirming it as a strategic segment of national manufacturing and a benchmark within the European competitive landscape.The industry includes 140 companies, over 10,000 employees and a production value consistently exceeding €3 billion. With approximately 38% of total European production (up from 36% in 2024), Italy confirms its leadership in the Oil & Gas valve market, ahead of Germany (30%) and France. Lombardy stands out as the sector’s production hub: within the Province of Bergamo and a 100 km radius, 90% of the national sector’s total turnover is generated.The year 2024 remained highly favorable, marking a third consecutive double-digit increase in sales (+14% vs. 2023), supported by backlog from previous years and a strong improvement in profitability: EBITDA margin reached 11.5% (+2.5 pp vs. 2023 and nearly doubled, compared to 2022). The trend continued in 2025, with growing investments across the Oil & Gas value chain and new opportunities in renewables, nuclear, data centers and space.Despite trade tensions linked to US tariff policies, exports maintained a growth profile (+5.2% overall and +2% in the US, which accounts for 13% of exports). The outlook for 2026 is more uncertain: the Middle East, representing over a quarter of Italian exports, remains central but highly exposed to geopolitical risks. Tensions with Iran and potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz could affect investment timing and priorities, with implications for order dynamics.The full Observatory will be presented on May 19 at the opening of IVS 2026.IVS YoungIVS - Industrial Valve Summit 2026 actively promotes the involvement of local high-school students through the IVS Young project, aimed at bringing younger generations closer to a strategic industrial sector. The initiative includes several activities, from the “Roberto Brevi Scholarship for Education in the Valve Industry”, supporting students of ITIS Pietro Paleocapa in collaboration with OMB Valves, to the “Electronics diagnostic controller for industrial valves” project, developed with students of Istituto Ettore Majorana and Starline. These are complemented by company visits designed to provide direct insight into production processes, as well as IVS RadioAut, the official radio of the event, created in collaboration with Spazio Autismo, a key organization supporting people with autism spectrum disorders and their families. Together, these initiatives demonstrate a structured commitment to bridging education and industry, contributing to the development of technical skills and the enhancement of local human capital.StatementsGiovanna Ricuperati, President of Confindustria Bergamo, stated: “The sixth edition of IVS sets a new record, with a 30% increase in exhibitors compared to 2024. This result confirms the event’s growing international appeal, with broader participation from abroad and new countries involved. Despite a complex global context that could affect visitor flows, registration figures remain encouraging. The event thus reaffirms its role as a key meeting point for the industrial valve community, providing a forum to discuss market scenarios, innovation and new applications. For Confindustria Bergamo, IVS growth is not an end in itself, but part of a broader strategy to enhance and strengthen local industrial supply chains. It is a concrete response to a need expressed directly by companies: increasing their visibility in international markets. Analysing supply chains, engaging entrepreneurs and building targeted support initiatives are central to our role, and IVS represents a concrete and successful example in this respect.”Luciano Patelli, President of Promoberg, commented: “The strong growth recorded in the 2024 edition, combined with the high quality of participating companies, confirms the soundness of the project. The Summit is a flagship in the internationalisation path of Promoberg and the Bergamo Exhibition Centre, thanks to the large number of high-profile operators from around the world. As an exhibition venue, we are proud to play a role in supporting the economy and promoting Bergamo, contributing value to the territory both in terms of development and economic impact. Today, our exhibition centre represents a significant added value, located at the heart of one of the world’s most important macro-regions and a key mobility hub, also thanks to BGY international airport, which connects Bergamo with Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Our development policies and strategies, including the expansion of the exhibition centre, will allow us to further support the growth of the Summit, generating even greater benefits and economic impact for the local area.”Francesco Apuzzo, President of VALVEcampus, stated: “VALVEcampus confirms its role as a reference point for the Summit’s scientific programme, with content increasingly aligned with the sector’s concrete needs and capable of anticipating technological and industrial challenges. Our objective is to strengthen dialogue between industry, research and end users by providing practical, immediately applicable content. The 2026 programme will focus in particular on innovation, digitalisation and the evolution of materials, with an approach that prioritises real cases, operational experience and direct exchange among the different players in the supply chain. The international dimension of the event is also growing, increasingly positioning it as a meeting point for companies, EPC contractors, end users and academia, with contributions from international experts and operators. Alongside technical content, education and youth engagement remain central, as key factors for the sector’s development. VALVEcampus confirms itself as a knowledge platform for the entire valve ecosystem, where added value lies in the quality and independence of content. With this approach, we contribute to strengthening IVS’s positioning as a leading international event for the industry.”
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