INTERFORST 2026 is set to expand its offerings by placing a strong emphasis on interactive and hands-on formats. This will allow participants to engage more deeply with the material and foster practical learning experiences that enhance their understanding of the latest developments in the forestry industry.
Interforst 2026-From October 15 to 18, 2026, INTERFORST will bring together key players from business, science, and politics in Munich. Under the motto “Shape the forest together. Utilise diversity. Secure the future,” the four key themes—Healthy Forests of the Future, People in Focus, Forestry Technology on New Paths, and Digitalisation of Forestry & Wood—take centre stage.
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That’s a remarkable amount of work hours for a single machine, the Norcar 600 owned by Erkki Rinne is taken well care of, it even has the original Diesel engine.
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Kieran Anders is a forestry contractor working in the lake district. His work involves hand cutting and extracting timber using a skidder and tractor-trailer forwarder.
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It is not possible to eliminate chain shot, but there are simple steps that can be taken to reduce the risk.
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Arwel takes great pride in the fact that the mill has no waste whatsoever, “the peelings are used for children’s playgrounds, gardens and for farm animals in barns in the winter and the sawdust has multiple uses in gardens and farms as well.
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Timber hauliers need to encourage young blood in, and also look after the hauliers we have, we need make the sector a safe and positive place to work.
FIND US ON
- New action and demonstration areas will showcase forestry technology and processes in action
- 400 exhibitors: share of international exhibitors over 40 per cent
- Germany’s Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer and Bavaria’s Minister of Agriculture Michaela Kaniber to open INTERFORST
Over the four days of the trade fair, 400 exhibitors will present their various solutions across the entire forestry value chain. Among the exhibitors are companies such as OCELL, Kaiser, LIECO, Husqvarna, ATMOS, Stefan Ebert und Kubota. The share of international exhibitors is 41 per cent, which represents a seven-per cent increase compared to the previous event in 2022, while the total number of exhibitors has grown by 14 per cent.
Exhibition Director Petra Hess is optimistic about the upcoming trade fair: “The positive trend in exhibitor numbers and international participation shows that INTERFORST is coming at just the right time for the industry. The forestry industry and forestry technology face major challenges—which makes it all the more important to have a platform where solutions, innovations, and practical experience come together and provide a focus for shaping the future of the industry together.”
Innovations at INTERFORST 2026
The innovations on display at INTERFORST 2026 show where forestry technology is heading: solutions that make day-to-day work easier, conserve resources, and streamline processes. These solutions include new drive and energy concepts, such as those from Balfor, as well as materials and products that can replace plastic-based applications in forestry—for example, those from Buck and Feldbacher.
Other examples range from AI-powered applications and digital platforms to optimized machine components and service solutions. Innovations in crane and harvesting technology from MESERA, ROTTNE, and Schmitter Hydraulik demonstrate that progress in the forestry industry often stems from practical advancements: Machines become more efficient, downtime is reduced, and work processes in the forest are better supported.
Premiere: demonstration and action areas along the value chain
Among the most important new features of INTERFORST 2026 are demonstration and action areas in the outdoor exhibition grounds. In the demonstration areas, exhibitors have the opportunity to present their vehicles and machines live at their stands. A total of 44 companies will be making use of the additional exhibition space, including Reil & Eichinger, Sennebogen, Haas Nutzfahrzeuge und Kesla.
The new action areas will showcase key forestry processes in a hands-on manner: EPSILON will demonstrate workflows in timber transport; Wahlers will showcase digital connectivity in highly mechanised timber harvesting; and Unterreiner Forstgeräte will present the firewood value chain—from timber forwarding to sawing and splitting, all the way to energy use.
INTERFORST supporting program: Knowledge, technology, exchange
The supporting program highlights INTERFORST’s four key themes through a variety of formats. At the congress, Joachim Hamberger, Director of the Bavarian Office for Forest Genetics, will be among the speakers on the first day of the trade fair, discussing solutions for climate-stable future forests (Thursday, October 15, 13:15–13:45, Hall B6).
Also on the first day, Veronika Rappai of the Austrian Federal Forest Service will discuss sustainable human resources management in the forestry sector (Thursday, October 15, 15:15–15:45, Hall B6).
On the second day of the trade fair, the focus will be on forestry technology and digitalization. Juha Inberg von Ponsse will present trends in the forestry industry (Friday, October 16, 10:15–10:45, Hall B6).
Ludwig Graf Douglas of TimberTom will explain the opportunities artificial intelligence has to offer in the forestry industry (Friday, October 16, 12:45–13:15, Hall B6)
In addition, the forum program (Friday afternoon through Sunday—Hall B6) will cover various topics such as “Carbon Footprint of Timber Supply,” “Forestry Skills—Chainsaw Work,” “AI in Forestry—A Revolution,” as well as “Between Trees and Tradition: Women in Forestry.”
Special exhibitions and skills competitions
Special exhibitions and competitions round out the program: The special exhibition “Shaping forests together” addresses key issues concerning the future of the forest, while the Social Insurance for Agriculture, Forestry, and Horticulture (SVLFG) focuses on safety, health, and responsible work practices in the outdoor exhibition area.
The Bavarian State Forests’ vocational skills competition and STIHL TIMBERSPORTS® showcase forestry technology in action.
Germany’s Minister of Agriculture Alois Rainer and Bavaria’s Minister of Agriculture Michaela Kaniber to open INTERFORST
The leading international trade fair for forestry and forestry technology will be officially opened by Alois Rainer, Germany’s Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Regional Affairs, and Michaela Kaniber, Bavarian Minister of State for Food, Agriculture, Forestry, and Tourism. They will then take part in a joint opening discussion with Bernhard Breitsameter, President of the Bavarian Forest Owners’ Association. Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger will also be visiting INTERFORST 2026 on the first day of the trade fair.
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