In its 50th anniversary year, LIGNA seems to be reflecting on its origins. Back in 1975, the trade fair branched off from HANNOVER MESSE as an independent brand amidst the oil crisis. Now, 50 years later, the woodworking and wood processing industry is once again facing economic challenges, and LIGNA is stepping forward to provide optimism and forward-looking solutions. Six months ahead of its opening, the world’s leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry has already secured commitments from 1,100 exhibitors spanning more than 105,000 square meters of exhibition space. For context, LIGNA 2023 saw 1,300 exhibitors occupying 114,000 square meters and attracted 80,000 visitors.
LIGNA 2025 focus topics
During the five days of the trade fair in May 2025, exhibitors will showcase innovative solutions around the LIGNA focus topics: “CONNECTIVITY,” “SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION,” and “ENGINEERED WOOD.” With a strong international presence – two-thirds of exhibitors coming from abroad and one-third from Germany – LIGNA offers the industry a comprehensive platform to explore design options for essential transformation processes.
Stephanie Wagner: “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”. The focus topics bring together international solution providers to tackle these three key challenges. 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. With these themes, LIGNA continues to drive innovation and transformation across the woodworking and wood processing sectors.
The LIGNA exhibition program
A look at the ten LIGNA halls and the open-air site reveals a familiar structure: Halls 11 to 15 and 27 will feature Tools and Machinery for Custom and Mass Production, demonstrating how craftsmanship and industrial applications can successfully converge through innovative technologies. Halls 25 and 26 will focus on Sawmill Technology, Wood Based Panel Production, and Energy from Wood. The open-air site and pavilions will be dedicated to Machinery for Forestry, Roundwood and Sawntimber Production. A key highlight of the outdoor exhibition area will be the new format LIGNA.TruckStop, which will serve as a central hub for skilled trades. Show trucks, vans, and transporters will allow suppliers to present their products directly to trade visitors in an engaging and accessible way. For those seeking Machine Components and Automation Technology – such as efficient drive solutions, control systems for CNC machines, energy-efficient transport and handling systems, and high-performance robotics – Hall 16 will be the go-to destination. Additionally, state-of-the-art Surface Technology will be showcased in Halls 16 and 17.
The LIGNA hall map detailing the specific focal points of the show can be found here: https://www.ligna.de/en/expo/hall-plan/index-2