THE SME TRADE FAIR REDEFINING THE SUPPLY CHAIN
The METAL MATERIA technical board has confirmed the return of the exhibition dedicated to SMEs in the metallurgy and mechanical engineering supply chain. METAL MATERIA 2026 is scheduled for November 5th and 6th at Piacenza Expo.
The decision to hold the event again in 2026 is backed by the encouraging results of 2025, evidenced by high satisfaction levels in exhibitor surveys. Despite the complexities of the current market, the pilot edition generated a significant flow of qualified professional leads for the more than one hundred exhibitors in attendance.
A necessary formula: functionality and networking
The positive reception of METAL MATERIA was amplified by an exhibition format that earned widespread approval among participants:
- Functional Exhibition Layout: exhibitors particularly appreciated the stand arrangement, designed to maximize visibility and facilitate B2B meetings, making the visiting and exhibiting experience extremely effective.
- Academy and Technical Training: the 2026 edition will strengthen the conference program, transforming sessions into industry-specific “Academies.” These training paths will span “from project to object,” offering participants regulatory insights and advanced scientific studies on innovative materials and processes.
- Networking Activities: initiatives tied to after-hours events fostered informal yet highly productive networking moments.
- Focus on the labour market: a key strength was the focus on the future, with activities actively involving young talents ready to enter the job market.
A transforming sector requires modern ehibition tools
The mechanical engineering and metallurgy sector is undergoing a phase of deep and rapid evolution, driven by global megatrends and new priorities. The fair acts as both a mirror and an accelerator of these changes, addressing the needs of a sector that includes:
- Structural metalwork, treatments, and precision machining
- Mechanical construction and contract industrial processing
- Fasteners and small metal parts
- Molds and foundries
- Micro-machining and treatments
- Supply of metals, semi-finished products, and non-ferrous materials
- IT and design services
- Industrial logistics
The new era of precision mechanics is characterized by the demand for increasingly tighter tolerances and the integration of digital technologies, requiring constant technological updates. Simultaneously, the sector must address crucial challenges such as energy and environmental sustainability. Energy management, along with the strategic handling of critical raw materials like aluminum and scrap, represents a vital node for Italian competitiveness.
The demand for reliability and Piacenza Expo’s Innovation
In this context, the demand for reliable and qualified partners to create new, resilient supply chains is becoming increasingly urgent. Companies are seeking connections that are not only commercial but also technological and strategic.
Piacenza Expo is already at work, developing an innovative exhibition tool to effectively respond to the new needs of SMEs. METAL MATERIA 2026 will offer a comprehensive platform including:
- Essential service supplies: industrial logistics, design services, and digital consultancy.
- Efficiency and sustainability: energy solutions and services capable of reducing operating costs.
- Primary processing technologies: display of machinery and services for welding, metal treatments, molds, and assembly.
METAL MATERIA 2026 confirms its status as the strategic hub where SMEs in the steel and mechanical engineering sectors can find the partners and answers needed to navigate market transformation and consolidate their competitive position.
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METAL MATERIA
The SME Exhibition for Mechanical Engineering and Metallurgy
November 5-6, 2026 Thursday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM | Friday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Organizing Secretariat: Piacenza Expo | Tel. +39 0523 602711 | industria@piacenzaexpo.it www.metalmateria.it
