Industry flies the flag at the iaf - political will is now needed for the mobility turnaround.
Münster, 23 May 2025 - With impressive innovative power and international flair, the 29th International Exhibition of Track Technology (iaf) set new standards in Münster from 20 to 22 May 2025. Around 200 exhibitors from 21 countries and around 15,000 trade visitors from over 70 nations once again made iaf the global meeting place for the railway superstructure industry - and a stage for the future of rail transport.
Under the motto ‘Track to the Future’, the world’s leading trade fair presented ground-breaking technologies: from AI-controlled large machines and autonomous systems that only require a supervisor, to sustainable solutions such as plastic rails and digital analysis tools for predictive maintenance. The exhibits ranged from tamping and welding machines weighing several tonnes to advanced software modules that focus on efficiency, safety and environmental friendliness.
‘We are technologically and professionally ready to shape the mobility turnaround on the railways. What is missing now is the political will and the targeted use of special funds for sustainable infrastructure projects,’ emphasises the organiser VDEI - Association of German Railway Engineers. The industry is thus sending a clear signal: the solutions for an efficient, climate-friendly and future-proof rail infrastructure are available - what is needed now are reliable framework conditions and the promised investments.
The trade fair not only offered an impressive innovation show, but also a ‘family reunion’ of the international track construction industry. 22 high-calibre specialist presentations provided insights into current developments and challenges in the railway superstructure sector. Students and young professionals used the trade fair to combine theory and practice and make valuable contacts - an important contribution to combating the shortage of skilled labour.
The delivery and presentation of the 26 large machines and 15 road-rail construction machines was a logistical masterpiece: Over 3,000 metres of track, 15,000 square metres of hall space and 6,000 square metres of outdoor area transformed Münster into the centre of international track technology. The next iaf will take place again in Münster from 29 to 31 May 2029.
Trend-setting message from iaf 2025: The industry is ready to make rail fit for the future with expertise, technology and AI. The course has been set - now we need decisive political action, sustainable investment and planning security so that Germany and Europe can utilise the opportunities of the mobility transition.
