CastForge 2026: Record participation figures and inspirational European input

Publicado el 12/03/2026

530 exhibitors from 30 countries presenting their latest innovative products and services – CastForge providing the perfect platform for networking, industry expertise

Three months before the event is set to start and CastForge 2026 is already fully booked out. There will be around 530 international exhibitors coming to Messe Stuttgart from 9 to 11 June 2026, ready to present everything this industry has to offer – from cast and forged parts to assembly-ready components and processing techniques. CastForge is sending a clear message and confirming its position as an established industry platform, in what are currently economically challenging times.

CastForge provides a unique overview of the market, with a programme perfectly designed to coordinate supply and demand. Exhibitors present their products and services to a highly qualified industry audience comprising designers, developers and decision-makers from mechanical engineering, automotive engineering, industry and energy technology. This is where innovative solutions meet concrete project enquiries, resulting in valuable connections with real business potential. The trade fair provides visitors with information about the latest industry developments, the chance to explore tomorrow’s technological trends, as well as directly engage with leading players on the European casting and forging scene.

Major international appeal and European focus

Two thirds of the exhibiting companies are coming from Germany and elsewhere in Europe, such as the French association “Village Forge & Fonderie”, which represents around twenty foundries and forges. Wilfrid Boyault, Managing Director of the Fédération Forge Fonderie, explains: “The joint presence in the French “Village Forge & Fonderie” is sending a strong and clear message to the European and broader global market. It is showcasing the key strengths of our companies – industry capacity, technical excellence, quality, innovation and competitiveness.”

The Italian foundry and forging industry is also well represented: trade association UNISA will be taking part with around 25 companies, eleven of which will be at the joint stand. Andrea Redaelli, President of UNISA, emphasises: “CastForge 2026 provides a concrete opportunity for our members to develop new business strengthen their own visibility and engage in professional networking. Altogether, there will be around 70 Italian companies represented – a significant contribution from Italy within the sector on a European stage.”

Portugal will be represented for the second time by a strong group of METAL PORTUGAL companies specialising in a variety of areas covering casting, forging and metal processing. Mafalda Gramaxo, General Director, explains: “CastForge has established itself as one of the most relevant European trade fairs for the casting and forging industry. For the Portuguese companies, it provides a valuable opportunity to directly connect with highly qualified buyers and to strengthen our international presence.”

Growth, internationality and innovative strength

CastForge 2026 stands for growth, internationality and innovative strength. Despite a challenging economic climate, the professionals are looking forward to what is now an established industry event and the opportunity to explore new business opportunities and concrete projects.

Hub for high achievers: Direct access to industry experts

CastForge 2026 will be providing trade visitors with unique opportunities, such as direct access to national and international exhibitors from 30 countries and the chance to benefit from their extensive expertise. The trade fair not only provides a comprehensive market overview, but also specific information about the latest market trends and technological developments in casting and forging. Technical presentations, networking events and expert talks create the ideal platform for a comprehensive exchange of information, transfer of knowledge and initiation of new projects. Resulting in top-quality connections and new business opportunities that go far beyond the actual trade fair visit.

Despite this year’s record number of exhibitors, CastForge remains a trade fair of accessible scale. Halls 8 and 10 are located directly at Entrance West, only a train stop away from Stuttgart Airport. This international airport offers a number of direct connections which operate daily to all key European cities, enabling CastForge visitors to make the most of this business opportunity – and often involving just one day of travel.

Ticket sales and new Make-to-Order Days event.

Tickets are now available to purchase and also grant visitors access to the new “Make-to-Order Days” event, the trade fair for buyers of precision parts, custom manufacturing and machining, on 9 and 10 June 2026 in Hall 9. Buyers involved in precision parts and machining are set to benefit twofold from just one ticket to CastForge!

Para más información: Castforge 2026

Otros artículos que te pueden interesar

Ucimu: orders index in the third quarter of 2026 rise (+10.5%) foreign orders (+24.7%); domestic ord

In the third quarter of 2026, the machine tool orders index compiled by the UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE Study & Business Culture Centre recorded a 10.5% increase compared to the July-September 2025 period . In absolute value, the index stood at 58.9 (base 100 in 2021). In particular, orders collected across borders grew by +24.7% compared to the third quarter of 2025, for an absolute value of 108.6. Order intake in Italy, however, decreased by 7.1% compared to the same period of the previous year. The absolute value of the index stood at 14.3. Riccardo Rosa , President of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, stated: " Domestic demand remains weak despite the numerous ongoing negotiations. The uncertainty of the international context and the increase in energy costs are clearly impacting the activity of Italian manufacturing operators, who are postponing investments pending greater clarity. We are therefore confident ," added President Riccardo Rosa , " that Italian demand will be able to regain momentum, also supported by the hyper-depreciation measure which, in version 5.0, allows for better planning of investments, which can be spread out until September 2028. " Italian manufacturers' activity on foreign markets, however, has been decidedly dynamic. In addition to the United States, where demand remains particularly strong, Germany is also beginning to show signs of recovery: certainly good news for the Italian industry in the sector. According to data processed by the UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE Study & Business Culture Centre, in the first half of 2026 (latest available data), the main outlet markets for Italian supply in the sector were the United States (329 million euros +12.6%) and Germany (137 million euros, +7.6%), followed by France, Poland, and Spain. “In particular, the aerospace and defense sectors, as well as the energy sector, are driving orders, regardless of the country of reference,” concluded Riccardo Rosa . These are the latest sector data presented by the president of UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE, Riccardo Rosa , on the occasion of the inauguration of 35.BI-MU, the international sector event taking place at fieramilano Rho from 12 to 16 October . Speakers at the meeting chaired by Rosa included Valentino Valentini , Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy; Giovanni Bozzetti, President of Fondazione Fiera Milano; Simona Greco , Hosted Exhibitions Director of Fiera Milano; and Luca Durante , Head of the Capital Goods Office at ICE-Agenzia. The second part of the event featured an interview with Gian Piero Cutillo, Co-General Manager of Leonardo, and Roberto Vavassori , Executive Director of Brembo and President of ANFIA, conducted by Paolo Bricco, Special Correspondent, Il Sole 24 Ore. The event features over 400 companies , spread across a total area of 40,000 square meters in pavilions 22 and 24. The spotlight will be on machine tools, robotics, automation, additive manufacturing, digital manufacturing, artificial intelligence, measurement and quality control systems, components, and enabling technologies for the smart factory. The event, promoted by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE and organized by EFIM-ENTE FIERE ITALIANE MACCHINE, significantly enhances the thematic cultural dimension. Over 50 events are planned , including conferences, workshops, and round tables. New features this year include two special forums dedicated to the Aerospace & Defense and Energy sectors, strategic sectors that will be analyzed through the direct testimony of production and operations directors of some of the main international players and the CEOs of several Italian SMEs. In terms of training, the VLF4EU (Virtual Learning Factory for EU) International Conference is particularly relevant, focusing on an innovative training system based on the Digital Twin of the factory. The conference will feature around thirty researchers from Denmark, France, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Italy. The relationship between young people and the world of work will be explored in depth at the meeting " Value, Future, Impact. Work According to the New Generation ," organized by ANIPLA with the patronage of the UCIMU Foundation. These conferences are part of the Skills Area 's calendar of meetings. Located in Pavilion 24, the Skills Area will host initiatives promoted by UCIMU Academy and the UCIMU Foundation . Among these, ROBOTGAMES , the automation and robotics competition for secondary school students, now in its second edition, will once again be held.

13/10/2026 Leer más

Mechanical exports exceed 20 billion euros in the first half of the year

The figures presented at Anima Export Days 2026: +2.8% compared to the same period last year. Exports are growing in the USA, China, and Germany. Exports of the mechanical engineering sector represented by Anima Confindustria reached €20.4 billion in the first half of 2026, up 2.8% compared to the same period in 2025. The data, processed by Anima's Statistics Office based on Istat data, were presented during the Brescia leg of Anima Export Days , the initiative dedicated to the internationalization of the Italian mechanical engineering sector. Running from September 28th to October 1st, the event is bringing together companies in the sector with selected international buyers. Now in its sixth edition, the Export Days are a collaboration between Anima Confindustria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI), and the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), with the aim of fostering new trade relations and supporting the strengthening of Italian companies' presence in foreign markets . This year, the B2B meetings involve operators from over 20 countries and are taking place in four locations : Borgosesia, Turin, Brescia, and Bassano del Grappa. The initiative comes at a time when geopolitical tensions and uncertainties over trade policies continue to impact international trade. Against this backdrop, data for the first half of 2026 paint a resilient picture for the mechanical engineering sector, represented by Anima. Exports from Anima's sectors totaled €20.4 billion , up 2.8% from €19.8 billion in the same period in 2025. The trend confirms the sector's strong international vocation , albeit with varying trends. The main export components include valves and faucets , gas turbines, hydraulic pumps, and air conditioning systems. Other sectors are showing positive results, while others are experiencing a decline. Geographically, the United States remains the leading destination market for exports in the animal and animal sectors, with €2.38 billion in the first six months of 2026, up 2.4% compared to the same period of the previous year. Germany follows, with €1.99 billion (+4.8%), and France, with €1.81 billion (+2.9%). Alongside the more established European markets, some particularly significant trends are emerging in non-EU areas, starting with China, the Middle East, and North Africa. Despite a general decline towards the Gulf countries (-3.7%), exports to Saudi Arabia grew by 14.6% (665.1 million euros) , supported by the sectors related to process plants, energy, infrastructure and cooling. In China , exports of the Anima sectors grew by 22.3% and reached almost 720 million euros . The aeraulic systems sector was the main driver of this increase. Steam turbines and air compressors also recorded good growth in China. Algeria's growth was even more significant, rising 146.7% from €173.3 million to €427.6 million. This result was primarily driven by technologies such as gas turbines (which account for approximately 47% of total exports to the country), valves and taps, as well as pressure products and equipment. These flows are often tied to individual orders and therefore not necessarily characterized by continuous trends, but the data highlights the ability of Italian companies to seize opportunities even in rapidly developing markets. "The 2.8% growth in exports in the first half of the year confirms the ability of Italian mechanical engineering to maintain a competitive position on international markets, even in a period characterized by geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainty. The United States remains the primary destination market, while the results in China and Algeria demonstrate the ability of companies to seize opportunities in different markets. This is a sign of resilience that must be accompanied by greater diversification and a strengthened international presence. In this regard, the Export Days represent a concrete tool for creating new relationships and business opportunities," stated Pietro Almici, president of Anima Confindustria . On the import front, in the first six months of the year, the Anima sectors recorded a 1.2% increase, for a total value of 9.73 billion euros; this figure completes the current trade picture and confirms the centrality now assumed by international markets beyond the European one. It is in this context that Anima is renewing its Export Days , transforming market analysis into a concrete opportunity for supply and demand to meet.

05/10/2026 Leer más

Steel exports: the top ten hubs are worth €6.9 billion.

In the first half of 2026, exports from the main steel districts grew by 1.9%. Imports decreased by 9.2%. The Italian steel industry is holding up on foreign markets, but at very different rates across regions. In the first half of 2026, exports in value of steel products, pipes and other products from the first transformation of steel from the top ten Italian steel hubs reached almost 6.9 billion euros , compared to 6.7 billion in the same period of 2025, marking a growth of 1.9% . The data for the top ten hubs is more dynamic than the overall export trend: overall, they fell by 0.1% in value in the half-year, compared to a 0.2% increase in volume . This slight decrease, explains the siderweb Research Office, is due to lower sales prices. The rankings confirm Brescia at the top. Udine maintains second place, and Cremona third. However, the rankings show significant changes: Milan gains two spots, Reggio Emilia gains one, while Bergamo loses two and Lecco loses one . Brescia strengthens its leadership. Milan climbs. The Brescia hub remains Italy's leading steel hub in terms of export value, recording growth of 7.1% . This increase allows Brescia to widen its lead over Udine: the gap between the top two hubs increases from 74.7 to 96.5 million euros . Udine maintains second place with a 5.3% increase in exports. However, Cremona recorded the strongest growth among the top ten hubs, consolidating its third place: +12.6%. Mantua , fourth in the ranking, saw a 5.8% drop in exports. Milan saw significant growth, rising two places with a 4.5% increase. Vicenza retained its sixth position, with export values essentially unchanged compared to the first half of 2025. The most negative figure in the ranking is that of Bergamo , which recorded a 19.5% contraction in exports and dropped two positions. On the other hand, Reggio Emilia recorded one of the most significant increases, with an 11.1% increase, and rose one position. Terni grew by 7.8% and maintained its eighth place. Lecco rounded out the top 10, with exports down 3%. Taranto , home to the Acciaierie d'Italia steelmaking hub, is also outside the top 20 in the first half of 2026. Exports fell by 86.5%. In 2025, the value had fallen by 40.3% compared to the previous year, stopping at 42 million euros (362 million in 2022). Imports: €500 million less from the top ten hubs The picture is changing for foreign purchases. In the first half of 2026, imports from the top ten steel hubs decreased by 9.2%, from 5.8 to 5.3 billion euros : approximately 500 million euros less in a year. At the national level, the contraction is even more marked: imports of steel products, pipes, and other products from the first steel transformation decreased by 13% in value and 15.9% in quantity. The different dynamics between European and non-EU suppliers is particularly significant. Imports from non-EU countries decreased by 22.5%, equal to approximately 1.6 million tonnes, while those from EU countries decreased by 2.1%. In the context outlined by the analysis by the siderweb Research Office, the reduction in non-EU purchases is also linked to the full implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) .

02/10/2026 Leer más

CastForge 2026: Record participation figures and inspirational European input

Otros artículos que te pueden interesar

Ucimu: orders index in the third quarter of 2026 rise (+10.5%) foreign orders (+24.7%); domestic ord

Mechanical exports exceed 20 billion euros in the first half of the year

Steel exports: the top ten hubs are worth €6.9 billion.

Dati Legali

Sede Legale

Registro Imprese

Contatti