This year's Aluminium 2010 event which recently concluded in Essen Germany received 17,200 visitors, up from the 2008 event of 16,886 visitors.
The number of visitors from abroad increased nearly 10%, reaching the 50% mark of total visitors for the first time. The event had 873 exhibitor companies from 47 countries.
According to Markus Jessberger, event director, strong impulses came from the transport sector, from mechanical and plant engineering and from the solar and packaging industries.
The results of a representative survey conducted by an independent trade fair and market research company during the fair show the industry is set for further growth.
According to this survey almost one in three visitors came to Essen with concrete intentions to invest, with more than 35% of the companies planning to spend more than €500,000.
Expectations regarding the future economic development of the industry match this positive view. 69% of the companies surveyed expect a significant or slight growth in business, 23% expect business to remain stable, and only 4% fear a deteriorating business climate.