The third HEATEXPO opens with growth writ large across the board: more exhibitors, more international participation and an even bigger programme line-up complete with forums, panels, workshops and networking events. For three days at Messe Dortmund, companies from Germany and elsewhere in Europe are demonstrating how secure, affordable and climate-friendly heating and cooling can be achieved in neighbourhoods, municipalities and industry.

Dortmund, 24 November 2025 – HEATEXPO 2025 kicks off at Messe Dortmund on Tuesday with over 200 exhibitors – around a quarter of them from abroad – presenting tomorrow's heating technologies, products and services between 25 and 27 November. The focus is on innovations, trends and débuts in the areas of district and local heating, industrial process heat, storage solutions, waste heat utilisation, digitalisation and new business models, with businesses showing right now the technologies and concepts that are set to characterise heating and cooling in the years ahead.

“HEATEXPO demonstrates the breadth and sheer usability of leading-edge concepts the industry is already working on right now,” said Sabine Loos, Managing Director of Westfalenhallen Unternehmensgruppe which owns and operates the Messe Dortmund venue. “This is where municipal utilities meet producers, where technology providers meet local authorities, and where start-ups meet established players. This direct interaction results in collaborations that really drive projects forward.”

Growth, international credentials and strong foundations

HEATEXPO 2025 is continuing its growth trajectory following the very well received second show in 2024. The number of exhibitors has grown again, new hall space has been added, and the programme line-up now runs even broader and deeper. Around a quarter of the exhibiting businesses come from abroad, making HEATEXPO a European platform where international experience, technologies and business models are brought together and used as the basis for new collaborations.

Strong network: VKU, VDMA Power Systems and the National Waste Heat Conference

HEATEXPO is supported by a broad network of associations, institutions and partners. The Municipal Enterprises Association (VKU) and VDMA Power Systems are involved as conceptual sponsors, both bringing their expertise and networks to bear on shaping both the show and the programme line-up.

One special highlight this year is the National Waste Heat Conference (BAT) being held as part of HEATEXPO. The focus is on targeted networking, with the National Waste Heat Conference – the central meeting point for the waste heat community in Germany – bringing together leading experts in the worlds of business, science, energy supply, local government and policy-making to discuss innovative strategies and solutions for putting unavoidable waste heat to good use. Field reports, political inspiration and matchmaking formats will demonstrate how previously unused potential can be tapped and transformed systematically into specific, practical projects.

HEATEXPO Forum – Local Government Campus – KLIMA.FORUM on the move

The HEATEXPO Forum (Hall 4) offers a top-class programme of talks and discussions on all three days of the show. International contributions are already set to add stimulus even on Day 1 of the show, addressing matters such as geothermal-based heating concepts, strategies for decarbonising heat consumption and experiences emerging from near-climate-neutral heating sectors in Europe. The full programme is available for download at www.heat-expo.de/forum-heatexpo.

The Local Government Campus (Hall 4), sees the show focussing on practical implementation in cities, municipalities and non-metropolitan districts. The central meeting point for all stakeholders in municipal heating planning brings together round tables, keynote talks and discussion panels on topics such as municipal heating planning, digital and cross-sector approaches, neighbourhood projects, communications and funding opportunities. Big-name partners will contribute their expertise and use specific examples from large cities and smaller towns, municipalities and non-metropolitan districts to show how concepts can be turned one step at a time into realisable projects on the ground. >>> www.heat-expo.de/kommunaler-campus

Another programme highlight is KLIMA.FORUM unterwegs (CLIMATE.FORUM on the move), which will address current issues surrounding socially balanced and economically viable provision of heating, with policy-makers, scientists and campaigners discussing how climate protection, security of investment and buy-in in cities and municipalities can be achieved.

Start-up Area and networking: think tank at the heart of the show

This year's HEATEXPO features an independent Start-up Area for the first time, occupying a central position between the HEATEXPO Forum and the Local Government Campus, and deliberately designed for visibility and encounters, with young businesses presenting innovative solutions addressing aspects such as intelligent control systems, boosting efficiency, data analysis and new business models in heating and cooling, giving trade visitors direct access to fresh ideas, collaboration opportunities and potential investment opportunities. Numerous networking formats such as the WORKSHOPS DENMARK at the joint Danish stand on all three days of the show will offer additional opportunities for engaging and interacting.

Sabine Loos: “HEATEXPO is bringing together the relevant players in the heating and cooling industry all under one roof. It's precisely this diversity and variety that makes the show so valuable. HEATEXPO provides orientation in a fast-moving market environment, showing which solutions the industry is using to take its next steps towards sustainable supply systems,” emphasised the chief show organiser.