SHARED SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
With a diverse portfolio of trade fairs and congresses, Düsseldorf greentech offers a strong stage for interdisciplinary dialogue. Whether it's the circular economy, decarbonisation or digital resource efficiency - the city's B2B platforms are the place to discover innovations that are really driving the transition to a more sustainable industry. Here is an overview.
On stage at the Circular Valley Convention: experts discuss circular business models and technological innovations for the industry of the future.
CVC: PREMIERE FOR THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY
With over 100 exhibitors and more than 200 speakers, the Circular Valley Convention (CVC) celebrated its premiere on 12 and 13 March 2025 at the Areal Böhler in Düsseldorf. Organised by Messe Düsseldorf in cooperation with the Circular Valley Foundation and with scientific support from the Fraunhofer Institute, the convention focused on topics such as circular design, sustainable materials, digital solutions, new recycling technologies and circular business models. 'The circular economy can only be implemented through global cooperation across company and material boundaries,' explains Dr Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation. The event takes a crossindustry approach and brings together players along the entire value chain - from SAP and Canon to SMEs such as Sigfried Jacob Metallwerke and innovative startups. 'With the Circular Valley Convention we have created a central platform that provides decisive impetus for the transition to a circular economy,' says Wolfram N. Diener, CEO of Messe Düsseldorf. 'The broad interest and the quality of the discussions show that the topic has arrived in the industry.'
Innovationen in Sachen GreenTech präsentiert auch das ’Future Tech Fest‘ – veranstaltet von digihub Düsseldorf/Rheinland und nach eigenen Angaben Deutschlands größte B2B Startup Expo und Konferenz. Über 300 Startups haben hier vergangenes Jahr einen Ausblick in die Zukunft der Tech-Branche gegeben. Besonders sichtbar war bei der vergangenen Ausgabe der GreenTech-Schwerpunkt – etwa in den Bereichen Wasserstoff, Energieeffizienz und digitale Nachhaltigkeit. Die nächste Ausgabe findet am 11. September 2025 ebenfalls auf dem Areal Böhler statt.
Focus on recycling: exhibitors present innovative plastic solutions at the K trade fair
CIRCULAR ROOMS: GREENTECH AND FASHION
With the 'Circular Rooms - Conference with Exhibition', Igedo Exhibitions launched a new event format in March 2025 that focused on the interfaces between fashion, digitalisation and sustainability. The premiere was dedicated to key challenges facing the industry: dealing with regulatory requirements, the use of digital tools, the transformation of global value chains and the introduction of the digital product passport. The aim was to provide impetus for a sustainable, cycle-orientated fashion industry. Particular attention was paid to the question of how growth can be decoupled from resource consumption - a key issue in view of growing EU requirements for transparency and circularity. The event brought together decision-makers not only from the fashion world, but also from neighbouring sectors such as electronics, food and beauty. 'The fashion industry is changing at a rapid pace. To remain successful, it needs innovative strength, adaptability and, above all, collaboration,' explained Ulrike Kähler, Managing Director of Igedo Exhibitions. The next event is planned for autumn 2025.
K AND GLASSTEC: INDUSTRIES IN TRANSITION
The green transformation of the plastics and glass industry is clearly evident at the Düsseldorf trade fairs. Under the motto "We are glass", the leading international trade fair 'glasstec 2024' showed a clear focus on digital technologies, the circular economy and decarbonisation. New formats such as the Architecture Forum, the Glass Trends Sessions and the innovations show Glass Technology live offered insights into specific sustainability solutions - from circular building concepts to the recycling of flat glass. The 'CircuClarity One' project presented pioneering approaches to circularity and resource efficiency in glass and façade construction. The circular economy, digitalisation and social responsibility will also be the focus of K, the international plastics trade fair, which will take place in Düsseldorf from 8 to 15 October 2025 - themed 'The Power of Plastics! Green - Smart - Responsible". The trade fair offers a wide range of topics relating to machinery and equipment, including plastics processing and machinery for processing and recycling. Special attention will be paid to the reuse, recycling and reduction of plastic waste.
Symbol of change: at Wire, a tree made of wire visualises the connection between industry and sustainable transformation.
WIRE AND TUBE: ECOMETAL INITIATIVE
The traditionally energy-intensive industries are also taking big steps towards the climate transition. The Düsseldorf trade fairs Wire and Tube are regarded as leading platforms for the wire, cable and tube industry. With the 'ecoMetal' initiative, Messe Düsseldorf is putting the spotlight on companies that combine ecological responsibility with economic innovation. The focus is on three central topics: resource efficiency, low-emission production and technological innovations. However, this is not just about saving energy or materials, but about holistic, scalable solutions along the entire value chain - from raw material extraction to process optimisation and recycling. Through digital trade fair pathways (ecoMetals Trails), targeted visibility and concrete practical examples, ecoMetals connects pioneers in the "green" industry – and demonstrates in this way that those who intelligently combine economy and ecology will become sought-after partners in the global competition. 'Time is a decisive factor - ecological change can no longer be delayed. The ecoMetals initiative shows that our industry can already provide answers for tomorrow,' says Daniel Ryfisch, Director wire & Tube at Messe Düsseldorf.
Whether materials trade fair, technology conference or platform for circular business models - the large number of trade fairs shows how broadly greentech is anchored in a wide range of industries today. Düsseldorf not only provides the framework for this, but is also increasingly developing into a hub for the exchange of sustainable future solutions. •
EVENT DATES:
• Circular Rooms 9 September 2025, Rheinterrassen www.igedo.com
• Future Tech Fest 2025 11 September 2025, Areal Böhler www.futuretechfest.de
• K 2025 8 – 15 October 2025, Messe Düsseldorf www.k-online.de
• Circular Valley Convention 2026 11 – 12 March 2026, Areal Böhler www.cvc-duesseldorf.com
• Wire & Tube 2026 13 – 17 April 2026, Messe Düsseldorf www.wire.de, www.tube.de
• glasstec 2026 20 – 23 October 2026, Messe Düsseldorf www.glasstec.de
Text: Karolina Landowski
Pictures: KINTOPP FILM, MESSE DÜSSELDORF, CONSTANZE TILLMANN