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Lightweight construction at ZOW 2009
Lightness leads to innovative furniture ideas

The important topic of “lightweight construction” is put into focus at ZOW with an exhibition in Hall 22.2 that’s in a class of its own. Both young and renowned companies in the international supplier industry are presenting their latest solutions from lightweight construction, which will revolutionise the furniture and fittings world in the coming years. The offerings at ZOW also include a presentation by the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences and daily lightweight construction tours starting from the architectural lounge.

The focal point of lightweight construction at ZOW 2009 is the exhibition by the “igeL Interessengemeinschaft Leichtbau e.V” ( Lightweight Construction Association – www.igel-ev.net), which encompasses many companies involved in lightweight construction. More than 25 “igeL” members are using the opportunity presented by ZOW to showcase themselves and their innovative ideas in their own area of around 500 m² in Hall 22.2. The lightweight construction network provides impressive evidence of the diverse development potential for the interiors industry and furniture design.

Right next to the spacious “igeL” showcase, the students from the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences have set up their visionary lightweight construction exhibition. The current "Materialscouts" show presents a whole host of creative lightweight construction ideas in the architectural lounge (a-lounge, Hall 22.2). The a-lounge is also the starting point for compact lightweight construction tours around ZOW. The tours are free of charge and depart daily at 10.30am and 2.30pm, lasting around 45 minutes.

As well as simple handling and savings in raw material, it’s primarily the lower transport, energy and packaging costs which make lightweight construction solutions so interesting for the furniture and interiors industry, trade fair construction and shop-fitting. It’s not only ever increasing logistics costs which are forcing the sector to rethink furniture construction – due to increasing problems with raw material supplies some manufacturers of chipboard and fibreboard are already increasingly investing in new, light construction solutions like honeycomb board.

Lightweight construction guarantees added value

Lightweight construction isn’t just synonymous with “lower cost”, instead it represents considerable added value in furniture construction. At the same time, less weight also signifies a higher level of engineering across the entire value chain: manufacturers and developers are experimenting with new wood composites, which offer a high level of stability in spite of their light weight but also require new connection technologies for screws, glues or plugs. Hollow boards provide the necessary space for constructions which can be hidden from sight in the furniture.

In the fittings sector, the trend is consequently moving towards miniaturising components and integrating technology, which opens up new dimensions for furniture manufacturers in terms of design. And last but not least, the “lightness” also has to go down well with the end consumer, who not only likes furniture to be light for transportation, but also easy and, if possible, tool-free to assemble and dismantle at home.

ZOW has always been ahead of the field in terms of lightweight construction. During the exhibition, all interested visitors can experience the most exciting developments live, swap opinions and experiences with specialists and thereby develop new ideas.

Lightweight construction exhibitions at ZOW 2009 in Hall 22.2:

Interessengemeinschaft Leichtbau e.V. (igeL) and the "Materialscouts" show organised by the Ostwestfalen-Lippe University of Applied Sciences (in the a-lounge)

Lightweight construction tours around ZOW:

Daily at 10.30am and 2.30pm, meet at information desk in the a-lounge, Hall 22.2

For information about ZOW, visit www.zow.de