HEATEXPO 2025 begins in Dortmund: Trade fair for the heat supply of the future continues to grow
The trends and solutions for tomorrow’s heating and cooling supply are already visible today at the European trade fair platform.
HEATEXPO 2025 is entering its third edition and is growing in all areas: More exhibitors, more international participation and a further expanded program with forums, panels, workshops and networking formats. For three days at Messe Dortmund, companies from Germany and Europe will be demonstrating how a secure, affordable and climate-friendly heating and cooling supply can be designed in neighborhoods, municipalities and industry.
Dortmund, November 25, 2025 – HEATEXPO 2025 kicks off at Messe Dortmund on Tuesday. More than 200 exhibitors, around a quarter of them from abroad, will be presenting technologies, products and services relating to the heat supply of the future from November 25 to 27. The focus will be on innovations, trends and premieres in the fields of district and local heating, industrial process heat, storage solutions, waste heat recovery, digitalization and new business models. The companies are already showing today which technologies and concepts will shape the heating and cooling supply in the coming years.
“HEATEXPO shows how broadly and practically the industry is already working on the future today,” says Sabine Loos, Managing Director of the Westfalenhallen Group. “This is where municipal utilities meet industry, technology providers meet local authorities and start-ups meet established players. This direct exchange results in collaborations that really drive projects forward.”
Growth, internationality and a strong base
HEATEXPO 2025 is continuing its growth trajectory following the very positively evaluated second edition in 2024. The number of exhibitors has increased further, the hall space has been expanded and the breadth and depth of the program has been extended. Around a quarter of the exhibiting companies come from abroad. This makes HEATEXPO a European platform where international experience, technologies and business models are brought together and harnessed for new collaborations.
Strong network: VKU, VDMA Power Systems and the Federal Heat Conference
HEATEXPO is supported by a broad network of associations, institutions and partners. The Verband kommunaler Unternehmen e. V. (VKU) and VDMA Power Systems are involved as conceptual sponsors. Both contribute their expertise and networks to the conception of the trade fair and the program.
Ingbert Liebing, Managing Director of the VKU: “HEATEXPO is increasingly establishing itself as the leading trade fair for the heating industry. It clearly shows that a lot is technically possible in the heating transition. But the heating transition also needs acceptance. This will only succeed if the heating transition is feasible for everyone, including financially. That’s why we need legal reforms.”
Dr. Dennis Rendschmidt, Managing Director of VDMA Power Systems: “The heat transition will not only be decided in the building sector, but also in industry. Process heat is the backbone of industrial value creation – and at the same time one of the biggest challenges on the path to climate neutrality and one that receives too little attention in the public debate. For the market ramp-up to succeed, politicians must create clear framework conditions. Technological solutions such as large heat pumps, combined heat and power, thermal storage and power-to-heat open up new opportunities for an efficient and climate-friendly heat supply.”
A special highlight this year is the Federal Waste Heat Conference (BAT), which is being held as part of HEATEXPO. The focus is on targeted networking: as the central meeting point for the waste heat community in Germany, the BAT brings together leading experts from business, science, energy supply, local government and politics to discuss innovative strategies and solutions for the use of unavoidable waste heat. Experience reports, political impulses and matchmaking formats show how previously unused potential can be systematically tapped and turned into concrete projects.
HEATEXPO Forum – Municipal Campus – KLIMA.FORUM on the road
The HEATEXPO Forum (Hall 4) offers a top-class lecture and discussion program on all three days of the trade fair. International contributions will set the tone on the first day of the trade fair, e.g. on geothermal-based heating concepts, strategies for decarbonizing heat consumption and experiences from almost climate-neutral heating sectors in Europe. The full program is available online at www.heat-expo.de/forum-heatexpo.
With the Municipal Campus (Hall 4), the trade fair focuses on practical implementation in cities, municipalities and districts. The central meeting point for all those involved in municipal heating planning brings together round tables, keynote speeches and discussion panels on topics such as municipal heating planning, digital and cross-sector approaches, district projects, communication and funding opportunities. Renowned partners will contribute their expertise and use concrete examples from large cities as well as smaller towns, municipalities and districts to show how concepts can be turned step by step into projects that can be implemented locally. >>> www.heat-expo.de/kommunaler-campus
Another highlight of the program is the KLIMA.FORUM unterwegs, which addresses current issues relating to a socially balanced and economically viable heat supply at HEATEXPO. Politics, business, science and civil society will discuss how climate protection, investment security and acceptance in cities and municipalities can be brought together.
Start-up area and networking: think tank at the heart of the trade fair
For the first time, there will be an independent start-up area at HEATEXPO. It is centrally located between the HEATEXPO Forum and the Municipal Campus and is deliberately designed for visibility and encounters. Young companies will present innovative solutions there – for example for intelligent control, increasing efficiency, data evaluation or new business models in the field of heating and cooling supply. This gives trade visitors direct access to fresh ideas, cooperation opportunities and potential investments. Numerous networking formats, such as the WORKSHOPS DÄNEMARK on all three days of the trade fair at the Danish joint stand, offer additional opportunities for personal and professional exchange.
Sabine Loos: “HEATEXPO brings together the relevant players in the heating and cooling industry under one roof. It is precisely this diversity that makes it so valuable. The trade fair provides orientation in a dynamic market environment and shows which solutions the industry is using to take the next steps towards a sustainable supply,” emphasizes the trade fair director.
