Hannover, Germany. For five decades, LIGNA – the world’s leading trade fair for the woodworking and wood processing industry, held in Hanover, Germany – has been a driving force in the sector. It offers a unique overview of the entire value chain, from forest management to high-tech wood products. From May 26 to 30, 2025, LIGNA will celebrate its 50th anniversary, having been spun off from HANNOVER MESSE in 1975 at the height of the oil crisis. Since then, exhibitors at LIGNA have showcased the economic importance of the wood industry every two years: a global, multi-billion-euro market with a high export share that plays a key role in sustainable construction and the bioeconomy.

Amid global industry challenges such as sustainability and resource availability, digitalization and automation, supply chain disruptions, and increasing competitive pressure, a total of 1,433 exhibitors (2023: 1,288) from 49 countries will present pioneering technologies and solutions for an industry in transition. Taking place in ten exhibition halls, two pavilions, and on the open-air site, LIGNA 2025 will cover an area of 113,923 square meters (2023: 114,909 square meters) in its anniversary year. “The fact that LIGNA, in its anniversary year, has surpassed the previous edition’s exhibitor numbers and is approaching the same level in terms of exhibition space is by no means a given,” says Stephanie Wagner, Head of LIGNA at Deutsche Messe AG. “The woodworking and wood processing industry has been facing an economic downturn for months. The exhibitors’ strong commitment to their leading trade fair cannot be overstated,” Wagner adds.

LIGNA’s spotlight will be on digitalized and fully connected manufacturing processes, the application of artificial intelligence, and how high-tech machinery is revolutionizing both skilled trades and industrial production. Innovations in sawmill technology and state-of-the-art solutions for efficient forestry management will be showcased under the keyword of “Smart Forestry.” Particular emphasis will be placed on technologies that conserve resources, automate processes, and reduce CO₂ emissions. The show’s organizers Deutsche Messe AG and the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association have structured LIGNA’s central themes around three focus topics: Connectivity, Sustainable Production, and Engineered Wood. These encompass full digital integration, the advancement of a sustainable circular economy, and the development of innovative wood-based materials.

“Every two years, the global woodworking industry gathers in Hanover for LIGNA. It's all about the future of the wood industry and cutting-edge high technology. With trade visitors from over 100 countries, LIGNA is one of the most international trade fairs in the sector. It brings together decision-makers, developers, distributors, and craft businesses from across the entire value chain – from forestry and mechanical engineering to skilled trades. For our exhibitors, LIGNA is far more than just a trade fair – it is the world’s leading industry event, combining innovation, market presence, and business success. It is the premier platform where they showcase their innovations, enter new markets, and establish direct customer contacts. Nowhere else is the wood industry so concentrated and internationally represented,” says Stephanie Wagner. LIGNA’s exhibitors include industry leaders such as HOMAG, Weinig, IMA Schelling, Biesse, SCM, Felder, Linck, Springer, Microtec, Hundegger, Wemhöner, Altendorf, Siempelkamp, Dieffenbacher, IMAL/Pal Group, Cefla, Barberan, Bürkle, Vollmer, Leitz, Leuco, and many others. Numerous mid-sized machinery manufacturers, software providers, and start-ups from Europe, Asia, and North America are also represented at LIGNA.

VDMA: Investment requires reliable framework conditions

The wood industry has been facing challenging times for several months. According to figures from the VDMA, the production of woodworking machinery in Germany declined by 9 percent in 2024, falling to a total value of €3.8 billion. In contrast, the industry had achieved a record result of €4.2 billion in 2023. Between 2019 and 2023, German production grew at an average annual rate of 5.6 percent. For 2025, the VDMA expects a similar result to that of 2024. However, a significant recovery will depend on reliable policy and economic framework conditions, as well as a rebound in construction activity in key markets. Ongoing global uncertainty continues to cause customers to delay or reconsider their investment plans.

“The past year and the beginning of 2025 have been challenging, but there are many reasons for optimism,” says Bernhard Dirr, Managing Director of the VDMA Woodworking Machinery Association. “Customers are willing to invest – they’re just waiting for the right moment. We hope that LIGNA will provide the spark the industry needs. The very strong visitor registration figures give us reason to be optimistic.” Dirr also sees the industry in a strategically advantageous position, as the sustainable material wood is gaining increasing attention amid discussions about climate change and decarbonization. If the construction industry – which is particularly energy- and resource-intensive – is to become more sustainable, greater use of wood is essential. As a result, timber construction is gaining market share in Europe and other parts of the world, with considerable growth expected in the medium term.

With an export share of 68 percent, the industry depends heavily on global markets. In 2024, the German woodworking machinery sector exported machines and systems worth approximately €2.5 billion – a decline of 12 percent. The drop was particularly pronounced in European markets compared to the rest of the world, while North America was the only region to show positive growth. For 2025, the association also expects overseas markets and select European countries to contribute positively to overall performance.

Special program with practical relevance

LIGNA will once again be accompanied by a wide range of special formats and an attractive side program. LIGNA.Circular in Hall 12, located on the LIGNA.Stage, along with six additional themed islands, will focus on the broad topic of the circular economy. At the LIGNA.TruckStop in the outdoor area, joiners, carpenters, and cabinetmakers will find the latest in power tools, fittings, fastening technologies, and wood-based materials – everything they need to stay up to date. The central forum at LIGNA 2025 will once again be the LIGNA.Stage in Hall 12, featuring solution- and user-oriented presentations related to the event’s focus topics as well as key market and trend developments. In Hall 11, the LIGNA.Campus will offer technical colleges, universities of applied sciences, and universities a platform to showcase their educational programs and research projects. At the LIGNA.FutureSquare, VDMA members from other specialist areas – some exhibiting at LIGNA for the first time – along with start-ups, will present innovative solutions across a range of products and services. Anyone interested in learning more about the woodworking industry as an employer should visit LIGNA.Recruiting, the go-to place for connecting with potential future employers.

A full overview of the entire supporting program is available at www.ligna.de .

LIGNA Tuesday will once again be celebrated as Carpenters’ Day, while Wednesday will be dedicated to Joiners’/Carpenters’ Day. On Tuesday, carpenters from across Germany will gather at the exhibition grounds to enjoy a program tailored to their interests. They will also perform their famous “Zimmererklatsch” (10.00 a.m., LIGNA.Stage, Hall 12). The guild organization Tischler Schreiner Deutschland (TSD) will showcase the latest services and offerings from its professional associations. The established national design competition “Die Gute Form 2025” and the innovative project “Workshop Ergonomics” will also be part of the program.

LIGNA will host a number of awards and competitions, including: