Since its launch in 1993, the show has increased its reputation providing a firm business platform for manufacturers, suppliers, users and researchers. The previous edition in 2013 welcomed 198 exhibitors (Japan 162, Overseas 36) from 12 countries/regions and 18,955 visitors from 18 countries/regions.
Taro Kobayashi, Chairman of fair organiser the Japan Industrial Furnace Manufacturers Association commented: “When we first launched the show, there were no other related events in this industry, not only in Japan but in the Asian region. The show was set up to increase the profile of the industry itself, and I think we have been successful. Furnaces are products that have a lifespan of 30–40 years, but people still come to our quadrennial show as furnaces need partial upgrading. Companies develop new technologies and systems every few years, and Thermotec provides the opportunity to promote them.”
The theme of the coming edition is "Thermal technologies for the environment and future". The show will gather products and technologies that guarantee the "Japan Quality", and feature energy saving, safety and operability functions. Kobayashi, speaking about the theme and the coming trends, added: “Furnaces use a lot of energy, so the potential impact on the industry from developing energy-saving technologies is enormous. There are also benefits business wise for companies to be able to save on fuels and other resources. Japan, I believe, is outstanding in this field and attracts many overseas visitors because of it. Additionally, there will be more technological developments related to labour saving and automation that can contribute to the industry’s challenges, all under the theme of IoT. High mix low-volume production is also a theme this industry needs to focus on, and will be another focus of the fair.”
Product areas of the fair include industrial furnaces, environmental protection, energy-saving related equipment and technologies, combustion, heating elements, refractories, heat-resisting steel, instrumentation, transfer mechanisms, surface treatment, equipment, applied technologies, far-infrared-ray related equipment, electroheat equipment, power-generating and power-supply equipment, heat and thermal flow analysers, boilers, heating systems, refrigeration related equipment, applied equipment, cooling technology and services, waste disposal related equipment, IT related equipment, energy supply (oil, gas, power), research institutes and universities.
The visitor profile includes those from the steel, non-ferrous, casting, forging, heat treatment, ceramic, transport equipment, semiconductor, machinery, chemicals, environment, waste treatment, energy supply, food, coating, painting, lumber, medicine, electric and electronics sectors, as well as researchers from universities and laboratories, government office and local authority representatives, and teachers and students from universities and technical colleges.
Thermotec also has a strong reputation due to its fringe programme. This includes seminars led by industry leaders and the popular exhibitor presentations. The "Academic Corner" will be present for the second time at the coming edition after receiving many requests from previous participants. This area will become a place for academic-industrial collaboration where research centres and universities gather from all parts of Japan to present their latest research outcome. Thermotec 2017 will once again provide an active communication platform where knowledge, technology and business come together.
For further information please visit: www.thermotec-expo.com