Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
InfraTech Germany 2026
Even before the doors of the trade fair opened, traffic around Messe Essen was already jammed. A first sign that InfraTech Germany was bigger and busier than ever this year. Once inside, that picture proved to be true. The exhibition floor had grown by twenty percent and covered some 12,000 square meters. More than 270 exhibitors from over twenty countries presented their solutions for planning, construction, management and renovation of infrastructure. And the public knew how to find their way: on the first day alone, twice as many visitors came as at the previous edition.
In total, exhibition organizers Rotterdam Ahoy welcomed more than 8,100 trade visitors to InfraTech Germany in three days: representatives of municipalities, governments, engineering firms, contractors, students and industry. InfraTech Germany thus developed into a central meeting place where politics, economics and the public sector meet. Investment, innovation and cooperation formed the common thread. Necessary to cope with the major infrastructure tasks in the North Rhine-Westphalia region in the coming years.
The atmosphere on the exhibition floor was energetic, international and surprisingly familiar: there was a lot of Dutch sounding in the corridors. Among the exhibitors were therefore several Dutch companies. One of these was Van Boekel, which has been active in the German market since 1988 and has its own branch in Weeze. “Many customers don't actually know exactly what we all do,” Paul van Boekel explains. “A fair like this is a great opportunity to acquaint existing and new relations with our expertise.” Especially in the field of water and BIM, he sees opportunities in Germany. “In the Netherlands we are further ahead in this. We will take that lead with us here.”
According to Van Boekel, the strength of Dutch companies lies in their way of thinking. “We think in solutions by default. That stands out here.” That this generates interest is evident from the conversations at the booth. “Today even the German ‘Rijkswaterstaat’ sat at our table. That's great, isn't it?” Van Boekel emphasizes that his company works largely for the government in Germany, and is involved in a wide variety of projects. Ambitions to grow further in the German market are plentiful, although personnel is an inhibiting factor. “With our Dutch DNA and the necessary innovative strength, we still try to bring something extra,” he says.
Innovation was also literally given a stage at InfraTech Germany with the InfraTech Innovation Awards. Moderator Christian Haak spoke of a difficult task for the jury: the quality and number of entries were exceptionally high. This year, the prize went to BALASTAN® from RPBL GmbH & Co. OHG, an innovative and climate-friendly building material that significantly increases the use of unpaved surfaces and paths. It is a 100 percent natural material without chemical binders, completely recyclable and suitable for heavy loads. “The effect of this innovative material is normally not visible in public spaces,” Roland Waniek echoed at the presentation. “Nice that it now gets a stage.”
With packed aisles, international talks and concrete solutions, InfraTech Germany shows where the German infrastructure sector stands, and where it wants to go. There are plenty of opportunities, certainly also for innovative Dutch companies. See you in two years in Essen!
