Ceramitec 2026 draws 485 exhibitors and 12,000 visitors to Munich
The three-day fair highlighted ceramics' role across energy, medical, and mobility sectors, with additive manufacturing, decarbonization, and digitalization among the central conference themes
Ceramitec 2026 closed in Munich on March 26 after three days that brought together 485 exhibitors from 38 countries across 33,000 square meters of exhibition space. Around 12,000 visitors from 74 countries attended, with international exhibitors accounting for 66% of the total. Approximately 120 companies were either first-time participants or returning after an extended absence.
Collin Davis, Executive Director of Capital Goods Shows at Messe München, cited exhibitor growth and international turnout as indicators of the fair’s continued relevance. The edition also marked the first under a revised format, including a shortened three-day duration — a change that exhibition director Maritta Lepp said contributed to a more focused and efficient event based on exhibitor feedback.
AM and digitalization in the conference program
The ceramitec conference addressed several forward-looking themes, including decarbonization and energy-efficient production, digitalization along the ceramic process chain, additive manufacturing, and applications in energy, environmental technology, medical technology, and mobility. Formats included ceramitec Talks, guided tours, and structured networking sessions.
Thiago Boscolo Costa, Vice President at Saint-Gobain Performance Ceramics and Refractories, noted that discussions at the fair centered on process efficiency and sustainability challenges in high-temperature industries. Johannes Homa, CEO at Lithoz, described the fair as the industry’s home base. “For us, ceramitec is not just the global leading trade fair for this material,” Homa said. “Our involvement at ceramitec also means ‘coming home’.”
Industry responds
Exhibitors highlighted the quality of visitor interactions over raw attendance figures. Andrea Pasquali, CEO at Keller HCW, said the fair brought together people actively involved in investment decisions, technology roadmaps, and production strategies. Thomas Nogueira, CEO at Arc Impact (Desktop Metal), cited the event’s technical depth and application focus as drivers of substantive dialogue with partners and customers.
Richard Gaignon, CEO at 3DCeram, described ceramitec as a unique European platform for connecting key players across the technical ceramics ecosystem. Lars Schnetter, Managing Director at Schunk Ingenieurkeramik, said the fair communicated the industry’s technological diversity and relevance to outside audiences.
Heavy clay ceramics maintained a dedicated presence in Hall A4, where a revised layout incorporating a central catering area was credited by Karl Liedel, Sales Director at Lingl Solead, with improving visitor flow and facilitating meetings with global partners.
The next ceramitec is scheduled for April 25–27, 2028, at Munich Messe.
