ITPS 2017, 2nd International Thermprocess Summit, held at the InterContinental Hotel in Düsseldorf, Germany, successfully concluded on June 28. About 120 executives from Europe and the U.S. participated in the lecture program, which focused on current issues in the thermal-processing industry, exchanged information and ideas and established business contacts.

The summit addressed general economic, industrial policy and environmental topics – with a keynote address by Dr. Ulrich von Weizsäcker. The presentations and panel discussions about “Industry 4.0” and “Internet of Things” attracted particular interest and lively discussions.

“With its combination of specific and general content, the program was very balanced. Any necessary improvement relates mainly to an increase in the number of visitors from such application areas as the automotive and steel industries,” said Dr. Peter Wendt, vice president of sales at LOI Thermprocess GmbH.

ITPS also plays an important role in its function as a networking platform.

“For me, ITPS 2017 was an excellent opportunity to make many new interesting business contacts. At this level, it was better than I expected,” said Dr. Clemens Franz, manager of process and materials technology at Mercedes-Benz.

The two-day event was jointly organized by Messe Düsseldorf, the VDMA Metallurgy Trade Association, CECOF and Vulkan Verlag. In 2018, the thermal-processing industry will meet at ITPS Americas. In 2019, Messe Düsseldorf will organize four international technology trade fairs – GIFA (International Foundry Trade Fair), METEC (International Metallurgical Trade Fair), Thermprocess (International Trade Fair for Thermal-Processing Technology) and NEWCAST (International Trade Fair for Castings) – June 25-29 in Düsseldorf. More than 2,000 exhibitors and about 78,000 visitors are expected to attend.