With around 60,000 trade visitors from 148 countries and 1,616 exhibitors from 57 countries, interzum 2025 has reaffirmed its status as the world's leading trade fair for furniture production and interior design. Held in Cologne, the four-day event showcased the global industry's commitment to sustainability, innovation, and shaping the future of living and working environments.
At the heart of this year's edition was the central theme, "Rethinking Resources: Circular and Bio-based Solutions," which resonated throughout the fair's halls and exhibitions. It demonstrated the sector's collective intent to embrace resource efficiency and bio-based design, with innovations including recycled foams, reclaimed fibres from MDF/HDF boards, and efficient zinc recycling systems taking centre stage.
'interzum 2025 has once again provided compelling proof that it is the leading platform for the design of future living spaces,' said Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse. 'The feedback from discussions with our exhibitors confirms that the quality of the visitor profile at the trade fair was consistently outstanding, with discussions between professionals taking place at the highest level. Cologne has again earned its reputation as an excellent venue for international interior design and furniture trade fairs. By working together with a committed sector, we're staging events with global appeal here in the city.'
The fair drew high-profile participation across its three segments: Function & Components, Materials & Nature, and Textile & Machinery, serving as a launchpad for numerous product innovations and forward-thinking strategies.
The event's Trend Forums and the interzum Trend Stage enriched the experience, offering attendees deep dives into urgent topics such as biocircular materials, resource-efficient furniture design, and the Digital Product Passport. Experts delivered high-quality presentations on industry trends, market analyses, and regulatory shifts, emphasising that the industry is "actively driving progress" rather than observing passively.
A major highlight was the interzum award 2025, which introduced a special category aligned with the central theme. Out of 146 entries from 80 companies across 23 countries, the jury selected 66 trailblazing innovations, including 12 "Best of the Best" winners. These were showcased in a dedicated exhibition on Boulevard North, drawing significant attention from attendees.
The interactive #ILoveMyinterzum zone fostered community engagement through face-to-face dialogue, daily happy hours, and informal networking. It reinforced the event's role as a platform for building lasting international relationships.
Matthias Pollmann, Vice President Trade Fair Management at Koelnmesse, concluded: 'interzum 2025 has demonstrated the strength of this industry's will to innovate, and the strength of its desire for sustainable change. We're already looking ahead to the next event, when we intend to keep on supporting this process of transformation and stimulating new ideas. Our aim is to continue to offer the industry a platform where global trends are not only discussed, but actively shaped.'
The next edition of interzum will take place in Cologne from 11 to 14 May 2027.
More information:
interzum
www.interzum.com