GIFA Düsseldorf

When planning your visit, knowing the GIFA Düsseldorf dates and opening hours is essential for organising meetings with foundry technology suppliers, casting machinery manufacturers, moulding and core-making equipment providers, melting plant specialists, automation and digitalisation companies, foundry chemical suppliers, and distribution partners.

Professional buyers in this industry evaluate more than individual machines. Casting precision, production efficiency, energy consumption, material quality and yield, automation capability, sustainability, and total cost of ownership all influence procurement and partnership decisions.

GIFA Düsseldorf provides a professional environment for exploring developments across foundry technology, casting processes, melt preparation and metallurgy, moulding and core making, automation and quality control, and sustainable foundry production.

Why Visit GIFA Düsseldorf?

For professional visitors, GIFA Düsseldorf offers a concentrated setting to compare foundry technologies, discover emerging innovations, evaluate suppliers, and follow developments across the global foundry industry within one event.

The event brings together manufacturers of foundry equipment, casting machinery, melting systems, moulding and core-making technology, and automation solutions with production managers, technical directors, procurement professionals, plant managers, process engineers, and R&D specialists from foundries, automotive, aerospace, mechanical engineering, energy, and other industrial sectors.

Visitors can compare product ranges, evaluate suppliers, identify partnership opportunities, examine technical documentation, and follow developments in casting processes, additive manufacturing, automation, digitalisation, resource efficiency, and sustainable foundry practices. GIFA is the world’s leading trade fair for foundry technology, taking place every four years in Düsseldorf alongside METEC (International Metallurgical Trade Fair), THERMPROCESS (International Trade Fair for Thermo Process Technology), and NEWCAST (International Trade Fair for Cast Products).

The next edition will take place from 21 to 25 June 2027 at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre in Düsseldorf, Germany. Visitor opening hours are from 10:00 to 18:00 from Monday to Thursday and from 10:00 to 16:00 on Friday. In 2023, GIFA hosted 845 exhibitors. Across the four Bright World of Metals trade fairs, 2,188 exhibitors and 63,262 trade visitors from 116 countries participated; 58% of visitors were decision-makers and 68% came from outside Germany. Visitors should check the organiser’s official website for the latest ticket, registration, programme and access information.

Source: GIFA Official Website — GIFA – International Foundry Trade Fair with Technical Forum

Exhibition Background & Industry Context

GIFA is the world’s leading trade fair for foundry technology, taking place every four years in Düsseldorf since its founding. The event takes place together with METEC (International Metallurgical Trade Fair), THERMPROCESS (International Trade Fair for Thermo Process Technology), and NEWCAST (International Trade Fair for Cast Products). Together, these four trade fairs form the “Bright World of Metals”, covering the entire foundry and metallurgical value chain.

GIFA specifically focuses on foundry technology, casting processes, moulding and core-making, melting plants, and automation solutions for the foundry industry.

GIFA 2027 has a strong focus on sustainability and decarbonisation, digitalisation and automation, resource efficiency and the circular economy, as well as additive manufacturing in the casting sector. These topics shape the programme, the exhibition areas and the forums forming the framework for innovation, transformation and the future viability of the international foundry industry.

Key areas at GIFA Düsseldorf include:

• Foundry Plants and Installations — complete foundry systems, planning, construction, and engineering services
• Melting Shop — melting furnaces, refractory technology, metallic charge materials, melt treatment and filtration, and molten-metal handling equipment
• Moulding and Core Making — moulding machines, core-making equipment, moulding sands, binders, coatings, foundry chemicals, sand preparation, sand reclamation, and sand testing equipment
• Gating and Feeding Systems — gating, feeding, filtration, riser and inoculation systems, and solidification-control solutions
• Casting Machines and Pouring Equipment — casting machines, die-casting equipment (high-pressure, low-pressure, gravity), investment casting, permanent mould casting, and pouring systems
• Knock-out, Fettling and Finishing — cleaning, surface treatment, welding, cutting, and finishing systems
• Pattern and Die Making — pattern making, die making, tooling for casting, and tooling systems
• Control Systems and Automation — process control, automation systems, robotics, measurement and test technology
• Casting Simulation and Quality Control — casting simulation software, laboratory equipment, X-ray, non-destructive testing, and casting defect detection
• Environmental Protection and Waste Management — exhaust and ventilation technology, environmental protection, waste removal, and industrial safety
• Additive Manufacturing — 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions for casting
• Heat Treatment — heat treating and drying furnaces
• Transportation and Storage — conveying equipment, storage technology, and manipulation systems
• Information Processing — software solutions, data management, and digitalisation for foundries
• Foundry Retrofit and Modernisation — plant modernisation, retrofit solutions, and maintenance services

GIFA includes a Technical Forum focused on foundry process technology. Visitors should consult the official 2027 programme for confirmed forums, presentations, special shows and technical sessions. The four trade fairs take place concurrently. Visitors should check the official 2027 ticket conditions to confirm access arrangements for all four events.

Is This Trade Fair Right for You?

Relevance depends on your role within the foundry and casting value chain and whether your objectives involve sourcing equipment, identifying technology partners, evaluating production capabilities, or understanding market trends in the foundry industry.

Ideal For

• Production managers and plant managers
• Technical directors and process engineers
• Procurement professionals and technical buyers
• Foundry owners and foundry operators
• Moulding and core-making specialists
• Casting and pouring professionals
• Melting plant operators
• Pattern and die makers
• Casting designers and development engineers
• Tooling and die specialists
• Maintenance and plant-modernisation managers
• Metallurgical laboratory professionals
• Casting buyers and component sourcing managers
• Tier 1 automotive and industrial suppliers
• Manufacturers using ferrous and non-ferrous cast components
• Automotive, aerospace, mechanical engineering, and energy industry professionals using castings
• Additive manufacturing specialists
• Automation and digitalisation engineers
• Quality control and testing professionals
• Environmental and sustainability managers
• Researchers, educators, and students
• Media, associations, and investors monitoring innovation across the foundry sector

These professionals can assess product ranges, compare technical capabilities, examine system documentation, and evaluate casting precision, production efficiency, energy consumption, material quality, and long-term partnership potential.

May Be Less Relevant For

GIFA may be less relevant for consumers seeking finished consumer goods or small-scale metal products. It is primarily a professional trade event for the foundry and casting industry, focused on B2B relationships between manufacturers, suppliers, processors, and commercial buyers. Registration as a trade visitor is required.

Industries & Business Areas Represented

• Foundry Plants and Installations — complete foundry systems, planning, construction, and engineering
• Melting Technology — melting furnaces, refractory technology, metallic charge materials, melt treatment, filtration, and molten-metal handling
• Moulding and Core Making — moulding machines, core shooters, moulding sands, binders, coatings, foundry chemicals, sand preparation, and sand reclamation
• Gating and Feeding Systems — gating, feeding, filtration, riser and inoculation systems, and solidification control
• Casting Technology — casting machines, die-casting (high-pressure, low-pressure, gravity), investment casting, permanent mould casting, and pouring equipment
• Finishing and Surface Treatment — knock-out, fettling, finishing, surface treatment, welding, and cutting
• Pattern and Tooling — pattern making, die making, tooling for casting, and tooling systems
• Automation and Control Systems — process control, automation systems, robotics, measurement and test technology
• Casting Simulation and Quality — simulation software, laboratory equipment, X-ray, non-destructive testing, and defect detection
• Environmental Technology — exhaust systems, ventilation, waste management, and industrial safety
• Additive Manufacturing — 3D printing and additive technologies for casting
• Heat Treatment — furnaces for heat treatment and drying
• Materials and Supplies — moulding auxiliaries, gating and feeding systems, chemicals, coatings, binders, filters, release agents, and industrial safety equipment
• Software and Information Technology — data management, process optimisation, and digitalisation solutions
• Retrofit and Modernisation — plant modernisation, retrofit solutions, and maintenance services

These business areas are connected by the commercial and operational requirements of the foundry sector, where casting precision, production efficiency, energy consumption, and total cost of ownership are as important as individual machines.

Products & Solutions You Can Explore

Relevant products and solutions may include:

• Melting furnaces and refractory technology
• Metallic charge materials and melting equipment
• Moulding machines and core-making systems
• Moulding sands, binders, coatings, and foundry chemicals
• Sand preparation and sand reclamation systems
• Gating, feeding, filtration and solidification-control systems
• Casting machines and pouring equipment
• Die-casting machinery (high-pressure, low-pressure, gravity)
• Investment casting and permanent mould casting equipment
• Knock-out, fettling, finishing, and surface treatment systems
• Pattern and die making equipment
• Control systems, automation, and robotics
• Casting simulation software and laboratory equipment
• X-ray and non-destructive testing systems
• Casting defect detection and quality control
• Environmental protection and waste management systems
• Compressed-air and ventilation technology
• Additive manufacturing and 3D printing solutions for casting
• Heat treatment and drying furnaces
• Molten-metal handling equipment (ladles, degassing, filtration)
• Transportation, storage, and manipulation systems
• Information processing and software solutions
• Foundry retrofit and plant modernisation services

Business Opportunities

• Compare foundry equipment, casting systems, and automation solutions against defined production requirements
• Assess whether equipment meets casting precision, efficiency, and quality standards
• Evaluate production efficiency, energy consumption, material utilisation and yield, and total cost of ownership
• Identify equipment, technology, and service partners for planned production upgrades or new facilities
• Evaluate competing approaches to moulding, core-making, casting, and finishing
• Compare how suppliers address resource efficiency, circular economy, and decarbonisation
• Clarify regulatory compliance, certification requirements, and technical documentation through direct discussions with potential partners
• Compare systems based on throughput, casting quality, energy consumption, material usage, and automation level
• Network with equipment manufacturers, plant engineers, procurement professionals, and technology providers
• Explore synergies with concurrent METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST exhibitions for metallurgy, thermal processing and cast products

How to Prepare for a Productive Visit

Before attending GIFA Düsseldorf, careful planning can significantly improve the value of your visit:

• Define your strategic priorities: Identify whether your focus is on melting technology, moulding and core-making, gating and feeding systems, casting machines and pouring equipment, finishing and surface treatment, automation and control systems, casting simulation and quality control, or additive manufacturing
• Prepare questions about casting capability, efficiency, and quality: For casting equipment, ask about the intended process—such as sand casting, gravity die casting, low-pressure casting, high-pressure die casting or investment casting—along with production capacity, pouring accuracy, cycle time, automation interfaces, energy consumption and material yield. For moulding and core-making, examine moulding sand preparation, core quality, binder systems, and pattern accuracy. For gating and feeding, consider filtration, riser design, feeding efficiency, and solidification control. For finishing, consider knockout effectiveness, surface quality, cutting precision, and automation integration
• Explore the combined trade fairs: GIFA takes place alongside METEC (metallurgy and metal production), THERMPROCESS (thermal processing), and NEWCAST (cast products). This allows you to explore the complete foundry and metallurgical value chain. Visitors should check the official 2027 ticket conditions for access arrangements to all four events
• Review the Technical Forum and supporting programme: GIFA includes a Technical Forum focused on foundry process technology. Visitors should consult the official 2027 programme for confirmed forums, presentations, special shows and technical sessions
• Divide the exhibitor landscape by key areas: Before the event, group exhibitors by key areas — melting, moulding and core-making, gating and feeding, casting, finishing, automation and control, quality control, environmental technology — to structure your visit efficiently. GIFA is scheduled to occupy Halls 11–13 and 15–17. The fair takes place from 21 to 25 June 2027 at the Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre
• Plan meetings with potential partners: The event provides an opportunity to coordinate with manufacturers, suppliers, and industry professionals in one location

Review the organiser’s current exhibitor directory and group relevant companies by business objective, product area, or hall location before planning meetings.

Exhibitor Perspective

Exhibitors at GIFA range from international foundry technology suppliers, casting machinery manufacturers, and moulding and core-making equipment providers to melting plant specialists, automation companies, foundry chemical suppliers, and environmental technology providers. In 2023, GIFA hosted 845 exhibitors. Across the four Bright World of Metals trade fairs, 2,188 exhibitors and 63,262 trade visitors from 116 countries participated; 58% of visitors were decision-makers and 68% came from outside Germany.

Visitors evaluating potential partners should look beyond individual products to understand casting precision, production efficiency, energy consumption, and total cost of ownership. The event’s focus on innovation, sustainability, digitalisation, and B2B networking provides additional engagement opportunities for visitors and exhibitors.

Planning to exhibit rather than visit? Explore the GIFA Düsseldorf Strategic Exhibitor Guide.

Continue Your Research

Research companies participating in the exhibition — explore the GIFA Düsseldorf Exhibitor List to identify foundry technology suppliers, casting machinery manufacturers, moulding and core-making equipment providers, melting plant specialists, foundry chemical suppliers, automation companies, quality control specialists, and environmental technology providers before your visit.

When comparing foundry and metallurgy events, use our guide to choose the right trade fair in Germany for your strategic sourcing or partnership priorities.

Understanding how German and European professional buyers evaluate suppliers can help you prepare more focused conversations during product exhibitions.

For companies using German trade fairs as part of a wider international strategy, explore how international branding in Germany can strengthen credibility, supply chain recognition, and long‑term market presence beyond the exhibition.

Companies considering participation can use this checklist to prepare for a German exhibition, including system documentation, process evidence, and structured follow‑up.

At GIFA Düsseldorf, a productive visit depends on evaluating casting precision, production efficiency, energy consumption, automation capability, and strategic fit across the foundry ecosystem.