Intermat 2024 pulls out all the stops

Paris prepares for major equipment trade fair

After an absence of 6 years, Paris will finally be the backdrop of one of the largest construction equipment trade shows in Europe from April 24 to 27: Intermat. The industry has been anything but idle in the meantime, and so visitors can get ready for a multifaceted event built around the themes of sustainability and innovations to overcome various challenges within the construction industry. Once again, World of Concrete Europe is part of the program.

"Naturally, decarbonization is the main theme. Both at the booths and on the demo site, numerous emission-free machines will be on display," says fair director Christophe Lecarpentier. "In addition to electric or hydrogen, other solutions toward a fossil-free future will also be featured, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) or HVO biodiesel. We try to highlight emission reduction broadly so that visitors can decide for themselves which application is right for them. Related topics, such as digital transformation or workforce retraining, are also the focus. There are so many questions to answer. The centerpiece of the show is a TV studio, where attention will be paid to all these changes. What resources are available? What requirements does this place on the way of working? How is energy on location? And what does that mean for manufacturers?"

Adding value

At Intermat, the biggest international manufacturers will showcase their innovative approaches, which have gained momentum since the last edition in 2018 to cope with the transition to zero emissions. "Virtually all the major players will be there," Christophe knows. "Think Caterpillar, Volvo, Liebherr, Hitachi, Komatsu, Kobelco, Develon, Bobcat, Sany, LiuGong, Wacker Neuson, Magni and so on. Many component or equipment suppliers have also agreed to participate, such as ZF, Cummins, Topcon, Leica and Steelwrist. Almost all the brands that were absent during the last editions are now returning." With this, the fair is clearly gaining in importance. The organization strives to add value in many ways. In addition to machines, there is an extensive program including lectures and the Innovation Awards in various product categories.

Four exhibition days

Not only is sustainability the focus at the stands, but the fair itself is making every effort to reduce its carbon footprint. For this reason, the number of exhibition days in the new format has been reduced from six to four days, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. each time. Exhibitors will have the Parc des Expositions in Paris buzzing with construction equipment and related products or services. For example, Engcon and Steelwist are both showing the third generation of their rotary tilters, Volvo is showcasing the recently introduced ECR40 and HX04 Fuel Cell (prototype articulated dumper), Develon is spotlighting the DX10Z-7, DX17Z-7 and DX19-7 mini-excavators, and Deutz is adding lustre to its 160th anniversary with the TCG7.8 Hydrogen power unit with 220 kW/300 hp of power and 1,000 Nm of torque, which instead of a fuel cell is based on this German manufacturer's gas engine technology.

Electric minis

The Chinese brand Sunward is making headway with electric excavators. Following on from a 2- and 24-tonner during bauma, the curtain is being pulled back on the 1-ton SWE 10FED and 6-ton SWE 60UFED (semi-bincher) in Paris. On the Bobcat stand, the Rogue X2 wheel loader concept attracts a lot of attention and a range of nine rotary telescopic handlers with 5 to 8 ton capacity is on display from Magni. The Italian manufacturer shows off the TH3.6, a mini telehandler with 6 meters of working range, of which an electric version will eventually be available. Kobelco, under the motto "Built for perfectionists," unveils three firsts. In addition to the SK380SRLC-7 barge loader and SK520LC-11E 53-tonne loader (successor SK500), a first telerine crane (TKE750G) can be admired. Turkey's Hidromek is showing a 22-ton wheel loader with the HMK635WL, and LiuGong is showing purely four electric models, including the new 6-ton wheel loader 820TE with 1.2 cubic meters of bucket capacity and a 22-ton crawler excavator.

World of Concrete

Concurrently with Intermat, the benchmark event World of Concrete Europe, which brings the concrete sector together in a trade fair with congress, will take place in Paris. As a showcase for an industry striving to reduce CO2 emissions, this is an unmissable opportunity to experience the innovation and dynamism of the concrete world, whether in terms of products or technologies, processes, applications and equipment. World of Concrete Europe brings together some 200 exhibitors, 2,000 trade show visitors and 500 conference attendees in the French capital. All major players in the European concrete sector will be present.