The latest machine technology, networking and exciting insights into the upgraded outdoor exhibition 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.