Press releases

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.”