The furniture and interior design supplier industry gathered in Cologne for four days to showcase innovative materials, intelligent components and smart technologies that will shape future living and working environments. With around 60,000 trade visitors from 148 countries and over 1,600 exhibitors from 57 countries, the event confirmed its position as the world’s leading platform for furniture production and interior design, demonstrating the industry’s determination to play an active role in shaping its journey into a resource-efficient, sustainable future.
“interzum 2025 has once again provided compelling proof that it is the leading platform for the design of future living spaces,” commented Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse. “The feedback from discussions with our exhibitors confirms that the quality of the visitor profile at the trade fair was consistently outstanding, with discussions between professionals taking place at the highest level.”
The international character of the event was evident as visitors from important sales markets came together to discuss latest developments, forge strategic partnerships and find practical solutions to current challenges. Leading countries in terms of visitor numbers included Italy, China, Spain, Poland and the Netherlands, while 86 per cent of exhibitors travelled from outside Germany.
Circular and bio-based solutions drive innovation
The guiding theme of “Rethinking Resources: Circular and Bio-based Solutions” wove its way through the exhibition halls, with sustainability becoming the dominant theme at many exhibitors’ stands. From foams made from recycled waste to recovered fibres from MDF and HDF boards to resource-efficient zinc recycling systems, the industry showcased its commitment to environmental responsibility.
The trade fair’s three exhibition segments – Function & Components, Materials & Nature and Textile & Machinery – offered a comprehensive market overview packed with innovation and specialist content. Cologne served as the venue for numerous product launches, highlighting the rapid pace of development within the industry.
Knowledge sharing and trend analysis
The diverse event programme featured three interzum Trend Forums that examined key issues affecting the industry’s future, from biocircular materials and resource-efficient furniture design to the Digital Product Passport as the key to a circular economy. The interzum Trend Stage served as the trade fair’s knowledge hub, where renowned experts delivered presentations sharing detailed insights into international industry trends and market analyses.
A particular highlight was the interzum award 2025, which introduced a special “Rethinking Resources” category alongside three standard categories. From 146 entries submitted by 80 companies from 23 countries, the expert jury selected 66 forward-looking innovations, including twelve entries that received the highest distinction of “Best of the Best”.
“interzum 2025 has demonstrated the strength of this industry’s will to innovate – and the strength of its desire for sustainable change,” said Matthias Pollmann, Koelnmesse’s Vice President Trade Fair Management. The event took place on a gross exhibition space of 176,000 square metres, with approximately 77 per cent of visitors coming from abroad. The next edition will take place in Cologne from 11 to 14 May 2027.
