Press releases

As the new year begins, experts in the construction and recycling industries agree: 2025 will bring a change, after the tense mood that characterized the end of the previous year. After a period of market consolidation in the first half of the year, recovery and a sense of new beginnings are expected in the second half – influenced by the upcoming federal elections and incentive-creating leading trade fairs that showcase innovations. With its targeted offering in the second half of the year from October 9 to 11, RecyclingAKTIV and TiefbauLIVE (RATL for short) are perfectly positioned to help the construction, demolition and recycling industry get back on its feet. Innovations will be demonstrated in real-life situations at the event and explained by exhibitors at their stands as needed. This is how trade visitors get tailored answers to their challenges in practice and themselves provide important buying impulses for exhibitors.

“As just a few of the current industry challenges, I would mention the topics of digitization, transformation to a truly circular economy in construction and the shortage of skilled workers,” says Andreas Pocha, managing director of the German Demolition Association and trade fair advisory board. “I see the intensive personal exchange, which leads to a transfer of knowledge and the communication of possible solutions, as being very typical for the RATL. This is where the participants really get to talk to each other. Looking, touching, talking form a perfect triad at the RATL!”

“The RATL manages to spark curiosity in people in the construction, demolition and recycling industries. Curiosity sparks interest in solutions and thus the courage to face the challenges of 2025/2026. We need bold and far-sighted business decisions to implement solution-oriented construction processes,” emphasizes Dieter Schnittjer, Managing Director of VDBUM and member of the trade fair advisory board.

Efficient trade fair visit: intensive product advice, focused range

RATL clearly specializes in equipment for civil engineering and road construction, demolition and recycling, and in 2025 will focus on five main topics: alternative drive concepts and charging infrastructure, infrastructure construction and the digitalization of construction processes, demolition and processing of mineral construction waste, circular economy and resource efficiency, and the recruitment of young talent and skilled workers. This focused range of topics generates targeted expectations among visitors. The exhibitors take time for customized advice with depth of content – if possible, directly at the machine. The compact size of RATL, with its upgraded outdoor exhibition grounds, also enables trade visitors to use their time efficiently, as they can experience the most important industry trends in just one day.

Quality counts: Demo formats and marketing upgrades for exhibitors with direct added value for visitors

“In 2025, companies will be spoilt for choice when positioning their technologies thanks to a wide range of trade fairs across a variety of geographies and topics. If an exhibitor has consciously chosen RATL, we are happy to help with planning beyond just a stand presence,” says Olivia Hogenmüller, Team Leader for Construction and Environment at Messe Karlsruhe. “The RATL stands for quality – and we expect the same from our exhibitors. With a comprehensively upgraded outdoor area, the Peter Gross construction site, we have created a qualitative framework for a high-quality exhibition experience. Together with our exhibitors, we want to use clear expectation management for machine-related solutions to focus entirely on the needs of visitors.” The key to success, according to Hogenmüller, is to think of RATL as an integrated participation concept and to maximize the benefits of the trade fair format. RATL therefore offers its exhibitors not only the option of an exhibition stand, but also a range of other options for additional presence, which also saves them valuable resources in planning, coordination and construction.

These include, for example, participation in one of the demo formats, such as the themed model construction sites and activity areas, which are unique in the local trade fair landscape in terms of their technical depth and professional presentation of construction machinery, construction equipment and recycling plants. Visitors will be able to enjoy a realistic picture of the performance of the individual solutions in around 50 professionally staged, cross-manufacturer live shows on a range of applications and drive types – and in direct comparison, for an ideal way to determine whether compatibility is given in their own company. Exhibitors, in turn, can present the added value of their solutions briefly and concisely to a broad audience and use this as a perfect transition to detailed discussions at their exhibition stand.

Easy-to-use and customizable marketing upgrades also help exhibitors to reach new and existing customers before and during the show.

RATL on the road: Listening to the market and being right in the middle of it

Anyone who wants to join the RATL community and benefit from a high-quality trade fair experience can still jump on board: the last few spaces in the outdoor and hall areas of RATL are still available, with 85 percent of the outdoor space and two-thirds of the indoor space already booked. Questions about participation can be directed to the trade fair team at any time. The trade fair team also values personal contact with the industry – so the Karlsruhe trade fair organizers can be found not only by phone or email in the office, but also at various industry events with a stand presence on site, for example at the VDBUM Großseminar in Willingen (February 11-14, 2025), the annual general meeting of the Baden-Württemberg Association of Garden, Landscape and Sports Field Construction in Leinf elden-Echterdingen (March 14, 2025) and the FACHTAGUNG ABBRUCH 2025 in Berlin of the German Demolition Association (also on March 14, 2025).

Ticket shop already online

Anyone who has already decided to embrace RATL 2025 as a guide to innovation and a platform for knowledge transfer can already book a ticket online. New this year is a combined ticket with the commercial vehicle trade fair NUFAM, which is taking place immediately before RATL at the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center and will present the latest innovations from the commercial vehicle industry.

After about a year of construction, the Peter-Groß-Bau area of the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center was officially opened on Tuesday, October 1st. Whether outdoor events with exhibition and show areas, open-air events or pure parking areas: the outdoor area, directly connected to the exhibition halls, can be used all year round, regardless of the weather, and is multifunctional for a wide range of events. The infrastructure provided on 82,000 square meters, with installed water, electricity and technical connections, is currently unique in Germany. Messe Karlsruhe now has an outdoor area totaling 105,000 square meters, which is one of the third largest outdoor areas of a German trade fair company, and the largest in Baden-Württemberg.

“The upgrade is an investment in the further development of the trade fair center in line with the times. Thanks to its excellent technical infrastructure, the upgraded Peter-Gross-Bau area can be used for a wide variety of events and offers open-air cultural events or outdoor trade fairs an ideal setting for emotional live experiences. Today, Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center is already a recognized organizer of professional live demonstration trade fairs. With the new outdoor area, we will be able to demonstrate our market-leading expertise in this segment even more strongly and customer-oriented in the future. Our thanks go to everyone who has made this investment possible and implemented it,” says Britta Wirtz, CEO of Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center.

“For decades, Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center has successfully hosted a wide range of event formats. With its events, it brings new ideas and innovations to Karlsruhe and Karlsruhe to the world,” says Lord Mayor Dr. Frank Mentrup. “The Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center team has already impressively demonstrated its expertise in outdoor events at trade fairs such as RATL, and I am therefore very pleased that the upgrade of the Peter-Gross-Bau area will enable it to further expand this expertise and thus its portfolio of outdoor events – be they trade fairs or cultural events. It will also greatly enhance Karlsruhe's reputation as a trade fair and conference location.”

Ideal conditions for outdoor trade fairs

The use of the upgraded area is intended for outdoor trade fairs such as RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE (RATL), for example, which feature demonstrations of machines and vehicles. The permeable soil conditions, a stable electrical and water supply, a new traffic management concept, the fencing of the entire site including video surveillance and illumination of the entire area, as well as a broad WLAN infrastructure, create the conditions for an ideal trade fair appearance. It is also possible to combine the outdoor area with the exhibition halls. For example, the commercial vehicle trade fair NUFAM is planning to expand its outdoor presentation for its 2025 edition. The truck parking spaces that are also available will significantly improve the construction and dismantling logistics for events.

Optimal setting for open-air cultural events

The use of the area for cultural events is also possible again in the summer months, away from the trade fair business. In recent years, the area has already been used for cultural events, attracting numerous music fans to Rheinstetten, for example to the Hook Up Festival or the Kulturbühne. Now it also offers space for events with up to 36,000 visitors.

Car, bus, e-mobile or camper van: plenty of parking spaces available

Particularly in the autumn and winter months, when there are a lot of events, the area is used as a parking area that is not dependent on the weather, which have a great need for parking spaces, or use the upgraded East Entrance as their entrance. These include art KARLSRUHE, Einstieg Beruf, offerta and TIERisch gut. Up to 2,500 cars, 80 e-charging points, sufficient parking spaces for trucks and buses, as well as parking spaces for recreational vehicles, including supply and disposal stations, and taxi and bus stops have been created. During event-free time slots, the site is also used for other purposes. For example, the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center leases the area to the Bosch company for Bosch Secure Truck Parking (BSTP), in response to the increased demand for secure overnight parking for trucks near the A5 motorway.

Sustainability in focus

In order to be able to provide the area all year round, regardless of the weather, and at the same time to develop it in an ecologically sustainable way, the surface is permeable, except for the roads that will be created. About 70% of the surface is green and looks like a gravel lawn. In addition, there are generous planting areas with 120 trees and 800 shrubs to separate the neighboring industrial area.

The trade fair for construction, demolition and recycling, RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE (in short: RATL), will once again become a hub for the industry from October 9 to 11, 2025, at the extensively upgraded outdoor exhibition area of Messe Karlsruhe. Exactly one year in advance, on October 1, 2024, embedded in the festive opening of the grounds, “Preview RATL 2025” will give a first taste of the new Peter-Gross-Bau area and the five focus topics that will shape the trade fair next year. At themed displays, selected manufacturers and dealers in construction, demolition and recycling technology will be presenting their machine-based solutions to the challenges currently facing the industry. The latest machine technologies will be on display. Relaxed exchanges and networking with industry colleagues, as well as exciting insights into the new area and its development, round off the event. In a guided exploration tour with trade fair and construction experts, participants will have the opportunity to get to know the new conditions of the site and how they will be adapted for RATL 2025.

The comprehensive upgrade of the site also contributes to the value of RATL. This is emphasized by Dieter Schnittjer, member of the board of the VDBUM and member of the RATL trade fair advisory board: “The upgraded site is a great incentive for the next RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE. The investment of the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center is a special appreciation of the entire value chain of our industry. As a member of the advisory board, I am sure that this sensational development of RATL will further increase its attractiveness for visitors from the construction, environmental and mechanical engineering sectors throughout Germany.”

Overview of all topic partners:

Infrastructure construction & digital construction site

Nagel-Group with Liebherr and Leica

Digital solutions in the form of machine control systems, construction surveying, construction site documentation and fleet management, in conjunction with powerful carrier devices, are a central lever for maximally productive construction site processes. As part of the RATL 2025 preview, the Nagel-Group is providing a coherent selection from its machine portfolio with a focus on the field of infrastructure construction in combination with digital solutions. The Liebherr A922 Rail, a model that is in high demand at all track construction sites, especially in the infrastructure and track construction sector, will also be on display. In combination with a large number of suitable attachments and the in-house Likufix quick-change system, a fully thought-out and ECM-certified system is created. At the event, the Nagel-Group will also be presenting a Liebherr crawler excavator with Leica 3D control, the Liebherr L507E wheel loader and a 10-foot container with Trackunit and Leica Simulator.

“Our technologies are making a significant contribution to combating the shortage of skilled workers. Investing in technology makes workflows faster, avoids duplication of work and creates transparency. Our activities are bundled under NagelDigital – the range of digital solutions is based on the requirements of the digital construction site and thus forms a digital full range. 'Everything from a single source' has been the basis of our thinking and actions at the Nagel Group for over 75 years and is thus consistently applied to digital solutions,” emphasizes Philipp Nagel, 4th generation of the family-owned company of the same name.

Alternative drive concepts & charging infrastructure

JCB

JCB relies on various types of drive for its machines. As part of its “Road to Zero” campaign, the company invested in the development of new drives early on and, in addition to diesel-powered machines, offered an impressive range of electrically powered machines in the compact segment. JCB is also a pioneer in the field of hydrogen: in addition to the hydrogen-powered backhoe loader and telescopic handler, a mobile hydrogen refueling system was recently added to the hydrogen prototype fleet in the JCB quarry. The compact segment in particular has great potential for electric drives, since the energy consumption here is less high. The E-TECH product series at JCB is a new generation of machines that makes no compromises in terms of performance. An emission-free drive expands the range of application of many conventional construction machines, especially with regard to working in closed rooms, warehouses or even noise-sensitive areas. The reduced noise level benefits not only the immediate neighborhood of the construction site, but also the machine operator and other people working on the site. At the same time, the fully electric construction machines in the JCB E-TECH range always deliver full performance: the 100% electrically powered machines are designed to last an entire working day on a single battery charge. In combination with short charging times and modern lithium-ion battery technology, the E-TECH machines remain flexible and are optimally equipped for any job. At the “Preview RATL 2025”, JCB is therefore presenting not only the 555-210 rotating telescopic handler but also three purely electrically powered machines: the compact 403E wheel loader, the 19C-1E mini excavator and the 1TE 1-tonne wheeled dumper.

“What is special about RATL for us is that the focus is specifically on demonstrating the machines – both in the civil engineering and recycling sectors. This means that visitors can not only examine the machines statically, but also experience the features live. No other trade fair offers this in this form and at this high level. This way, we can present our machines much better.

By presenting both topics in the form of a double trade fair at RATL, we can show our machines in a wide range of applications, for example our Wastemaster models specially designed for the waste and recycling sector,” says Sarah Rupperath, Marketing Manager at JCB.

Circular economy & resource efficiency: the latest recycling and recycling technology

Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH

“The biggest challenges for our customers in the construction and waste management industries are the ever stricter requirements and regulations in the area of CO2 reduction, noise and dust emissions, and fire protection,” says Marc Kallies, branch manager at Zeppelin Baumaschinen GmbH. ”The development and design of our products are based on these requirements, which significantly helps our customers to comply with the requirements.” At the RATL 2025 preview, Zeppelin is presenting the Cat MH3040, a 40-tonne class material handler, in the version with straight stick and sorting grab. This symbolizes the variety of possible applications, the countless different uses in recycling, the progress of technology in the circular economy and, last but not least, the high safety standard combined with optimal ergonomics and comfort.

“We are very pleased to be a partner at the RATL 2025 preview. We would like to use the event to present our solutions for the recycling and civil engineering industries to the specialist audience. For years, RATL has given us the opportunity to engage in close and constructive dialog with our customers. With its live demonstrations, it offers us an unrivaled platform to present our products to customers under real-world conditions,” he emphasizes.

Secondary building materials: Demolition & processing of mineral waste

Kurz Machinery GmbH

At the preview event, Kurz Group Machinery GmbH presented the SMR sand and grit mill from Austrian manufacturer SBM. The sand and grit mill differs from conventional recycling plants not only in terms of its appearance. The SMR is a highly efficient machine that has been specially developed for smaller feed sizes of 0-150 mm. The SMR is particularly impressive when processing gravel and natural stone, due to its uniform crushed product and high degree of crushing. It delivers a cubic grain shape with a high proportion of high-value grains, making it ideal for demanding applications in sand and high-grade chippings production. In addition to processing gravel, the SBM vertical crusher is also used efficiently as a secondary crusher for oversized grain in recycling.

In the Karlsruhe metropolitan area along the Rhine, there are numerous gravel plants and potential users of the SMR sand and grit mill. “Due to the high density of relevant companies, it makes sense for us to exhibit the SMR as part of the pre-opening event. This enables us to present the machine to interested users from the region directly on site,” explains Sandra Eberle, Kurz field representative. “We see the high demand for cubic grain shapes and the parallel surplus of round-ground starting materials such as gravel or worn track ballast as a decisive argument for the grit mill, which delivers excellent results in this area,” continues Eberle. The SMR can also process feed materials such as concrete, which is then used as recycled concrete for further use in construction processes. It is particularly important here that the prepared grain size is no larger than 150 mm and is iron-free, and that any other impurities are removed.

Recruitment of junior and skilled staff

Special show “Baustelle Zukunft” (Future Construction Site), with Peter Gross, among others.

The “Baustelle Zukunft” format has become firmly established during the last two RATL events. So far, renowned construction, demolition and recycling companies have presented their strengths as employers and vacant job offers in a relaxed and casual atmosphere to facilitate initial discussions with future junior and specialist staff. For the third edition of the “Future Construction Site” in October 2025, the format will be adapted to the RATL live demo concept and supplemented to include the commissioning of construction machinery, construction equipment and recycling technology, in line with the motto: “From apprentice to apprentice”. From now on, the aim is to bring the job profiles in the construction, demolition and recycling sectors to life, so that the attractiveness of the work, especially when dealing with high-tech machines, is better highlighted. Typical construction processes and areas of application, which are representative of selected apprenticeships, are to be demonstrated in construction areas. The construction sites will be equipped with the latest machine technologies from RATL manufacturers and dealers. The companies' apprentices will be more actively involved, demonstrating the expertise they have acquired so far as machine operators and convincing others of the innovative nature of working in the construction and recycling industry.

“The shortage of skilled workers in the skilled trades is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The lack of apprentices, who form the basis for a qualified workforce in the long term, is particularly noticeable. Many young people are increasingly opting for academic careers, while in our case, the construction training paths are struggling with an image problem and are often perceived as less attractive. We need to create targeted incentives and make it clear to potential trainees the wide range of career opportunities this field offers,” says Andrea Hansen, Head of Personnel Development and Recruiting at Peter Gross Construction.

Other partners

Other partners are also on board for “Preview RATL”, including MAGNI. “Participating in trade fairs with a high demonstration character is particularly exciting for MAGNI, because it is precisely there that we can prove how efficiently and flexibly our product range can be used,” says Alexander Reisch, Sales Director MAGNI Germany. “In addition to access technology, the construction industry – and in particular civil engineering – is another key market for our rigid and rotating telescopic handlers and for our extensive range of different attachments.”

MAGNI machines are frequently used in long-term infrastructure projects such as building construction, road construction and recycling. Here, they impress with their wide range of applications as telescopic handlers, rough-terrain cranes, and work platforms and shovel loaders. At its stand at RATL 2025 in the outdoor area of TiefbauLIVE, the company will be showcasing the enormous performance data, the modern software and the intuitive touchscreen in the new MAGNI comfort cabs to interested visitors. The safety of users and personnel on construction sites is always the focus of attention. Some of the safety features are: the latest software for complete control with icon-based navigation and freely selectable work and drive modes to maximize performance in all operating conditions, and the LMI (Last Moment Indicator) system with an anti-tipping mechanism to constantly monitor machine movements.

Peter Gross Bau, a medium-sized construction company, is becoming a sponsoring partner of the multifunctional area at the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center, which is still under construction. The area, which will be completed by the end of September, will be marketed by the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center as the Peter-Gross-Bau area in the future. This means that the area, which will also be usable for event purposes in the future, will be further enhanced by a branding that underlines its uniqueness.

Uwe Götz, managing director of Peter Gross Bau, says: “This is the first time in our 139-year history that we have made a commitment like this. As civil engineering specialists, we were convinced by the thematic fit of our business model with the current upgrade and future use of the area, for example by the demo trade fairs TiefbauLive and RecyclingAktiv.”

“We are convinced that Peter Gross Bau is exactly the right name giver for the area. The partnership is a win-win situation, as it perfectly meets the interests of both companies. Peter Gross Bau benefits from the use of the area, which meets every requirement, for example for open-air trade fairs, (cultural) events and possible parking needs, and thus also enables a strategic portfolio expansion for Messe Karlsruhe. This means that in the future, Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center will have Germany's best multifunctional outdoor exhibition space, directly integrated into the exhibition center and with excellent infrastructure connections,” says Britta Wirtz, CEO of Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center.

Information about the Peter-Gross-Bau areal

According to current planning, the construction work on the 90,000-square-meter site will be completed by the end of September 2024. After the conversion, a wide range of year-round uses will be possible. For example, the occupancy of trade fairs such as RecyclingAktiv & TiefbauLive or an extended outdoor presentation at NUFAM, whose special feature is the demonstration of machines and vehicles, is planned. The use of the area for (cultural) events is possible in the summer months, apart from the trade fair business. In the fall and winter months, the area is used as a parking area that is not dependent on the weather for events that have a large demand for parking spaces or that use the upgraded East Entrance as an entrance. These include art KARLSRUHE, Einstieg Beruf, offerta and TIERisch gut. The truck parking spaces that are also available will significantly improve the construction and dismantling logistics for all events.

In terms of infrastructure, the area scores points not only for event use with supply connections for electricity, water, lighting and WiFi, but also for devices for numerous electric vehicle charging stations and a basic infrastructure for mobile homes used by exhibitors. In addition, a stop for taxis and buses has been set up, which also enhances the East Entrance.

In order to be able to maintain the area all year round, regardless of the weather, and at the same time to develop it in an ecologically sustainable way, the surface will be able to drain, except for the roads that will be created. As a result, about 70% of the surface will be greened and will look like a gravel lawn. In addition, there will be generous planting areas to separate it from the adjacent industrial area. Recycled material is also being used in the construction project.

About Peter Gross Bau

Peter Gross Bau – comprehensive construction expertise, reliability and innovative strength all under one roof. The company has been a major player in the construction industry for over 138 years. The company is a specialist in all areas of structural and civil engineering, as well as in all other areas of the construction world. Peter Gross Bau builds bridges between tradition and modernity – this creates the conditions for being well prepared for all the challenges of the innovative world of construction. With many branches, subsidiaries and associated companies, the family-owned company is firmly rooted in southwest Germany and also active nationwide with construction projects throughout the country. The values “target-oriented - changing - human” determine the thinking and actions of all employees and make the company successful in its daily work. Last year, over 3,000 employees generated a construction output totaling 900 million euros.

Careful handling of building materials and closing material cycles in the recycling sector, alternative drives for machinery and equipment, the digitalisation of construction processes and the recruitment of skilled workers are defining topics and trends in the construction and recycling industry. The RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE (RATL for short) trade fair from 27 to 29 April 2023 at Messe Karlsruhe offers decision-makers from the sectors concerned an up-to-date, complete and lively overview of these bundles of topics. On more than 95,000 square metres of exhibition space, 95 % of which is outdoors, the more than 260 exhibitors will be showing their machine technology live in action for the most part. A wealth of information is also provided by the supporting programme of the live demonstration fair with a total of five action areas and sample construction sites, free themed tours, a job exchange and a raw materials discussion forum. "The supporting programme is mainly supported by the exhibitors," says project manager Olivia Hogenmüller. "In addition to their great commitment to the five demo formats, they take advantage of the unique demonstration conditions of the Karlsruhe fairgrounds and demonstrate their machine technology with a wide variety of material flows and in versatile areas of application on more than two-thirds of the stand areas in the open-air site. No stone is left unturned!

Five demo formats bring machine technology to the stage in an action-packed way

One of a total of five demo formats can be considered a special highlight in the RATL supporting programme: the Attachment Arena. Here, in three grippingly staged and competently presented machine shows every day, visitors will experience how versatile implement carriers with changing attachments can be used in demolition, recycling and soil preparation and thus ensure more productivity on the construction site. In addition to classic and well-known attachments such as demolition hammers, pulverisers, separators and cultivation cutters, a dredger-mounted pile driver and a light materials vacuum cleaner will also be demonstrated here for the first time in realistic demolition and construction processes. The impressive demonstration sequences will shed light on the product specifics. Technical advisors from the 14 participating exhibitors will then explain the applications and added value of the equipment in more detail at their own stands and will be available for further information after the demonstration.

Together with the Verband der Baubranche, Umwelt- und Maschinentechnik e.V. (VDBUM), the trade fair's partner association, a large-scale civil engineering and road construction demonstration site will be set up in the TiefbauLIVE exhibition area. This demo format will focus on how modern vehicles and machines, systems and processes interact in infrastructure construction within the framework of two live shows per day of the fair. Modern road construction processes will be demonstrated, from earth excavation to the handling and transport of excavated material, as well as 3D-controlled formation creation and asphalt paving to compaction with compaction control. Visitors will be able to compare machines and systems directly and find the technical solutions for their individual requirements in everyday operations.

Machines and equipment operate as quietly as a whisper and completely free of exhaust fumes at the electric mobility showcase for compact and landscaping construction. It was initiated by the VDBUM and designed jointly with the Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau Baden-Württemberg e.V. (GaLaBau BW). With this demo format, the RATL targets classic civil engineering as well as gardening and landscaping companies and their special requirements when handling machines in urban areas or green spaces. Electric construction machines and vehicles meet the demands for less physical strain as well as stricter noise and exhaust specifications for municipal construction measures. Visitors can experience four alternating shows every day. Two construction processes involving earthmoving, transport, soil preparation and processing, and compaction will be shown. They are illustrated by 15 compact, quiet and yet powerful construction machines, construction vehicles and recycling plants - demonstrated by trainees from regional landscaping companies, who thus bring their modern professions to life and promote young talent. The VDBUM-initiated Regional Competition South also shows what the professions in the construction industry, landscaping and mechanical engineering have to offer: The "VDBUM Azubi Cup - German Championships 2023/2024" offers a platform for committed trainees in the practical environment of the model construction site. They compete against each other in theory and practice over the entire duration of the trade fair.

A huge throughput and maximum precision in the crushing, sorting and screening of renewable raw materials are demonstrated by the machines and systems in the Wood & Biomass action area, which covers around 2,500 square metres. In a realistic working environment, mobile solutions for pre-sorting wood, removing residual materials and producing wood-based recycling materials are in action. On all three days of the fair, the machines will be on show in two shows (Show A and Show B), one in the morning and one in the afternoon. From shredders, trommel screens and handling excavators to dust-binding systems: the entire range of products for processing wood and biomass from the 17 participating exhibiting companies can be experienced by visiting both shows. In addition to the spectacular machine demonstrations, visitors can consult with product specialists directly on the equipment and exchange information.

During the three days of the fair, the Scrap & Metal action area will be transformed into a mobile scrap and recycling yard. Here the specific infrastructure and operational processes of a scrap and metal yard will be staged. Representatives of the participating manufacturers will explain all the typical work steps in dialogue with the presenter, including crushing and sorting, storage and handling with scrap shears, excavator magnets and grabs, as well as the cleaning and recycling of metals. Visitors can see the machines on display in real-life operation and compare the interaction of carrier and attachment. The 20-minute live demonstrations will be shown several times on each of the three days of the fair.

Visitor tours focus on product highlights and innovations

Hardly anything could be more informative for trade visitors than the six thematic visitor tours, each lasting around two hours. The tours focus on current topics in the civil engineering, demolition and recycling industries and present solutions to current challenges. The tours will be moderated by representatives of the industry associations BDSV, bvse, DA, VDBUM, VDMA-Recyclingtechnik and the Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau Baden-Württemberg. "We are pleased with the good cooperation with the very committed trade fair advisory board, which shaped the content of the tours," says Beate Frères, Division Manager Own Exhibitions at Messe Karlsruhe. In groups of a maximum of 30 participants, eight to ten exhibitor stations will be visited and product highlights, innovative solutions and services on the respective topics will be shown. During these tours, visitors can quickly and easily get to know their direct contact persons at the respective trade fair stands, watch product demonstrations thematically tailored to their particular needs and take away valuable impulses for their own business. In conjunction with a fair ticket, participation in the fair tours is free of charge, but registration is required via the online ticket shop or, for those who decide at short notice, on site at the fair management in the outdoor area.

The topics and moderating associations of this year's tours are:

- Technologies and solutions in recycling technology (VDMA Recycling Technology).

- Mobile processing technology in steel recycling (BDSV)

- Gardening and landscaping (Verband Garten-, Landschafts- und Sportplatzbau Baden-Württemberg)

- Demolition and processing technology (VDBUM)

- Rental equipment in the construction process (VDBUM)

- Standardised interfaces of attachment and carrier vehicle (VDBUM)

Find your dream job at the Baustelle:Zukunft job fair

During RATL, the Baustelle:Zukunft job fair will be presented in a realistic environment that only the live character of the demo fair can offer. Visitors can experience individual job profiles, such as that of a construction equipment operator, foreman or site manager, and sound out their own talents and future prospects. Embedded in the central gastronomic contact point for visitors in the open-air site and located directly at the main entrance, six renowned construction, demolition and recycling companies present their employer strengths and vacant job offers, which can be examined on a "job wall" as a notice board, among other things. The informal and relaxed atmosphere at RATL makes it easier to start conversations with the represented companies.

Parallel to the fair: Trade congress, lecture and seminar programme

Parallel to the RATL demo fair, the SBM Forum, a trade congress for sustainable and ecological materials, will take place on 28 April 2023. This year's SBM edition focuses on the handling of secondary building materials. In practice-oriented lectures, the speakers address recycling companies and construction firms. Their topics include sorting by type, new findings on recycled concrete, the classification of secondary building materials and plant-based fibres for regional value chains. Attendance at the SBM Forum is free of charge for visitors to RATL, but registration via the online ticket shop is requested.

Also parallel to RATL, the LOGEX Academy will offer entertaining and exciting lectures on 27 and 28 April on the conference floor of Messe Karlsruhe and in the hall area of RATL. Interested visitors can expect interesting topics from the areas of IT, digitalisation, fire protection, law and the future of alternative drives. LOGEX is a nationwide network of medium-sized waste management companies. All lectures are free of charge.

As companies face rising material and labour costs, the use of innovative technology to boost efficiency on construction sites is an important competitive advantage. Visitors to RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE from 27 to 29 April 2023 in Karlsruhe will be able to experience attachments, interfaces and digital assistance systems live and up close. From compressing, excavating and milling to crushing, screening, grabbing and mixing, dozens of exhibitors will showcase their technological solutions in a broad range of applications, either at their own stands or in the specially designed attachments arena. The perfect coordination of the carrier system, attachment, and rotation and changeover system holds great potential for improving construction site processes, making more efficient use of staff and reducing costs.

Excavator scoops for every application

The liquid soil bucket from Tibatek enables cost-effective production of liquid soils on site. It processes the excavated earth by adding compound and a set volume of water, producing a fluid, self-compacting backfill material in just 5-6 minutes. The system best displays its advantages over conventional products in areas where tight spaces make installation and compacting more difficult. As well as producing liquid soils, the mobile mixing bucket can be used to produce small quantities of concrete without the need for a mobile concrete mixer.

The Terra-Star® bucket screener from Kronenberger oecotec is designed as an attachment for hydraulic excavators and wheeled loaders. The horizontal shafts are fitted in enclosed, zero-maintenance bearing units and flanged in front. With the QUICK quick-change coupling, users can replace the shafts without having to remove the bearing or chains. This allows for versatile use with the same unit. It also significantly reduces downtimes resulting from having to replace the shafts due to wear. The Terra-Star® is available with various shaft designs. These can also be ordered on an after-sale basis as shaft kits.

You can find the shown press pictures for download on the german page

The RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE trade fair (RATL) from 27 to 29 April 2023 will see around 230 producers and dealers provide a concentrated and practical overview of the latest construction machinery, equipment and systems. The new innovations will be showcased in realistic, action-packed shows in the demonstration building sites for e-mobility in compact construction, gardening and landscaping or civil engineering and road construction, as well as at the companies’ own stands. The products on show will include innovations for screening, separating and processing organic materials. Visitors can also expect a broad range of machinery featuring alternative drive technology. These are particularly beneficial in urban construction sites that are subject to strict emission and noise pollution rules. The trade fair will therefore provide gardening and landscaping businesses with the tools and inspiration they need to boost efficiency.

MTS will showcase its DINO12 Next Generation suction excavator, which offers a range of new, user-friendly features. These include the tipping system for emptying the material into dumpers and the latest generation of the quadruple-jointed MTS EVO power arm. Thanks to its Tridem chassis with steered tag axle, the DINO12 offers incredible manoeuvrability, which is particularly useful on compact construction sites. Furthermore, using a suction excavator can prevent damage when excavating roots, cables and wires.

You can find the shown press pictures for download on the german page

Preserving resources is vital to society and the environment. The RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE trade fair (RATL) from 27 to 29 April 2023 in Karlsruhe will address this issue. Just before new legislation on substitute building materials is due to come into force in Germany, the trade fair will focus on the controlled demolition and selective deconstruction of buildings. It will also look at the path from construction waste to tested, certified and quality-assured materials, and provide inspiration for businesses. Exhibitors at RATL will showcase economical material processing solutions for industry, the construction and recycling sector, and gardening and landscaping. Applications include crushing and screening old wood and cuttings, recycling scrap, metal and commercial waste, processing topsoil in construction and shredding old tyres.

Digital material flow management

N1 Trading and Mineral Waste will present two pieces of software that largely digitalise and automate the processing of disposal orders. This simplifies the internal management of material flows, while offering countless interfaces to external suppliers and service providers. In addition, the application helps assess mineral waste, prepare offers and select the best disposal methods. It also ensures that the result complies with the latest regulations and national legislation.

You can find the shown press pictures for download on the german page

New branding underlines unique combination of topics

RATL now also has a new combined logo. This aims to highlight both the equal importance of the two featured industries and how they match together. “Our new branding reflects how the demonstration trade fair has developed with customers in mind. The positive feedback we received on the combination of topics was an important factor behind this step. 70 per cent of visitors to RATL 2022 said that the compact overview of both the recycling and civil engineering industries was their main reason for attending”, says Beate Frères, Director of In-House Trade Fairs. The focus on demonstrations that makes RATL so unique has also been incorporated as a key part of the new branding. The logo was first unveiled to a broad audience at the 51st VDBUM seminar in Willingen, where it was well received.

Niklas Brimm, Managing Director of NB Baumaschinen, says: “I really like the new branding. It further emphasises the symbiosis of the trade fair’s two focus areas. In the past, civil engineering and recycling were often treated separately, whereas today, there is greater focus on the overall cycle of construction materials. The trade fair covers this really well. The new branding is more modern and highlights the event’s USP even more.”

Dieter Schnittjer, Member of the Board of the German Association of the Building Industry, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering (VDBUM), adds: “The new name and branding further underline the fact that the two sectors are very closely related. There are plenty of points during the event where the product and application areas can interact and complement each other very well, both in terms of technology and processes. The new branding is therefore the right thing to do, in order to further sharpen the trade fair’s positioning.”

This year’s RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE demonstration trade fair has concluded with excellent exhibitor and visitor numbers, improving significantly on the last event held in 2019. Over the course of the three-day exhibition, around 9,500 visitors discovered a wide range of products and solutions on offer from over 210 manufacturers, dealers and service providers in the construction and environmental engineering sectors. The high proportion of industry visitors, the larger scope and the return of personal discussions made RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE 2022 a great success.

Britta Wirtz, CEO of Messe Karlsruhe says: “We are proud to have hosted RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE, a powerful sales engine for the construction, demolition and recycling industries that are so vital to our future. Given the significance of issues like sustainability and preserving raw materials, the careful handling of existing and utilised materials is becoming ever more important. With the innovative machinery and systems on show, the double trade fair provides vital inspiration and momentum for the construction sector and circular economy, as well as boosting the sustainable use of raw materials in the technology hub of Karlsruhe.”

Olivia Hogenmüller, project manager for RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE is pleased with the event: “RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE 2022 was a great success, with a big rise in visitor numbers and leading industry players featured at the live demonstrations. This is what makes our double trade fair so unique. We were able to organise professionally and flexibly to provide all this to a wide audience. I am delighted with the positive feedback we have received from everyone involved. This is also down in no small part to the industry associations represented in our advisory committee, whose technical expertise was invaluable.”

Double trade fair brings key industries together

Held on the grounds of the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Centre, the double trade fair brought the recycling and construction industries together for the third time. 9,500 visitors were able to see for themselves the efficiency and performance of around 1,000 machines and systems, with two thirds of the stands featuring live demonstrations. One of the exhibitors showcasing their technology was Kurz Aufbereitungsanlagen. Sales Manager Harald Weber is already looking forward to the next event: “What I like most about this trade fair is the combination of various topics. Our customers are interested in both recycling systems and civil engineering, and can experience both here in one exhibition.”

Five leading industry associations reflect the needs and challenges of the respective markets, and boost the profile of the trade fair duo with their wide-ranging expertise. They will also enrich the event programme with their support for the five demonstration formats on the topics of scrap and metal, conduit construction, special heavy construction, compact construction, gardening and landscaping, and the new attachments arena. Alongside this, they will also be responsible for the content and organisation of the five specialist visitor tours. These guided and moderated tours will provide answers to specific questions regarding construction logistics and processes, the processing of mineral waste and modern recycling systems. “Our trade fair duo benefits significantly from the strong technical expertise of our association partners. We want to continue developing the concept behind the event to keep it up to date. The continuous discussions on industry topics help us to ensure this, while also guaranteeing that our event addresses the technical and legal developments in order to address important market trends”, explains Olivia Hogenmüller, project manager at Messe Karlsruhe.

Recycling and demolition associations reflect the market

“For years, RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE has been an important and dynamic platform for information on technical innovations and processes in the industry. Our businesses are focused on progress and this event is an essential part of the calendar”, says Eric Rehbock, Managing Director of the German Association for Secondary Raw Materials and Waste Management (bvse) and member of the advisory committee to the demonstration trade fair. “The bvse has partnered the event since the very beginning. As Germany’s largest association for the recycling and waste management sector, we use our own activities at the large demonstration and special theme areas to provide industry players with important new inspiration to develop and strengthen recycling, as well as ensure the quality of secondary raw materials and construction materials. By providing a compact overview of the sector and the opportunity for intense technical discussions, the trade fair offers real value to visitors for their everyday work. Given the disastrous events in Ukraine and the lingering effects of the largest pandemic in modern times, it also provides valuable orientation for the multifaceted and ever-changing challenges of the market. This year’s trade fair duo will also act as an important place for information and networking to help companies find the specialists and logistics workers they so desperately need right now. The combination of well-trained staff and cutting-edge technology forms the foundation on which our companies can offer high-quality recycling. This plays an essential and decisive role for protecting the environment, the climate and resources”, emphasises Rehbock.

The German Demolition Association (DA) focuses on reincorporating components and waste into the circular economy of the construction sector: “Using recycled construction materials contributes greatly towards environmental and resource protection. In Germany, these materials are subject to a wide range of tests in order to ensure a high level of quality. We need to reclaim more raw materials from demolished buildings, in order to feed components and waste back into construction and create product cycles”, says Andreas Pocha, Managing Director of the DA. “The exhibitors at RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE will showcase their latest products and solutions in this area. Visitors will be able to gain further practical information from the associations’ experts on the guided tours. By adding more focus topics like e-mobility and digitalisation in the construction sector, the double trade fair has its finger firmly on the pulse of the industry”, he continues.

For the Association of German Steel Recycling and Disposal Companies (BDSV), current efforts revolve around high-quality recycling of steel waste: “Both businesses and governments are increasingly recognising the fact that ‘green steel’ can only be made through increased use of steel waste. Well-processed recycled steel is the key to creating functioning, high-quality circular economies”, explains BDSV Managing Director Thomas Junker. “RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE gives industry players a quick overview of the latest technical developments in this area. Visitors can see for themselves how the machines perform in practical demonstrations at the exhibitors’ stands and in the special theme area scrap and metal.

The partner associations of RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE also include the Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), which represents over 3,000 mostly medium-sized companies in the investment goods sector in Germany and is one of Europe’s largest industry bodies. Sören Grumptmann, specialist for waste and recycling technology at the VDMA, stresses the value of the trade fair duo: “The industry is looking forward to the first live demonstration trade fair after the pandemic. Being there in person is always so much better than only being able to see machines on screen. RecyclingAKTIV & TiefbauLIVE in Karlsruhe is the perfect opportunity to find out about the latest technology.”