GIFA & METEC Indonesia Bridges the Gap in Indonesia's Metal Industry Downstreaming

Jakarta: GIFA & METEC Indonesia 2026 is expected to accelerate the downstream development of Indonesia’s metal industry by connecting domestic industry players with technology, expertise, and global supplier networks.

Lars Wismer, Regional Head of Messe Düsseldorf Asia, said Indonesia has significant potential to further develop its metal industry, particularly given the country's availability of raw materials and growing smelting capacity.

However, he noted that Indonesia still faces a gap in processing technology and expertise needed to transform metal raw materials into high-value finished products.

"Indonesia has the raw materials, and now it also has the smelting capacity. What is still somewhat lacking is the processing technology, know-how, and connections with suppliers to turn those metals into high-value finished products," Wismer said in an exclusive interview with Metrotvnews.com on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

GIFA Indonesia and METEC Indonesia 2026 officially opened at the Jakarta International Expo (JIExpo) Kemayoran on Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The exhibitions, organized by Messe Düsseldorf Asia in partnership with PT Pamerindo Indonesia, will run through Saturday, September 12, 2026.

The international exhibitions focus on the foundry and metallurgy industries, bringing together hundreds of global companies while supporting Indonesia's efforts to develop a higher-value-added metal industry.

GIFA & METEC Indonesia is expected to connect Indonesian industry players with technology providers and manufacturing solution companies from around the world. The platform is also designed to help narrow the gap between Indonesian manufacturers and the technologies required to strengthen their position in the global value chain.

Through the exhibitions, industry players can directly explore technologies and equipment, engage with engineers, and compare various solutions in one location.


Industry professionals discuss automation and manufacturing technology at an exhibitor booth during GIFA & METEC Indonesia 2026 in Jakarta. (Photo: Ist)

"For local foundries, as well as steel or aluminum processors, four days at GIFA & METEC can replace a month of traveling around," Wismer said.
 

GIFA & METEC as a Technology Transfer Platform

GIFA & METEC are specialized exhibitions focusing on the foundry and metallurgy industries. GIFA was first launched in Düsseldorf in 1956 and has since become part of Messe Düsseldorf's global portfolio.

This specialization distinguishes GIFA & METEC from general manufacturing exhibitions.

"Every exhibitor at GIFA & METEC is involved in foundry, metallurgy, thermal processing, or the aluminum industry," Wismer said.

The international nature of the exhibitions is another key strength. At the previous edition, GIFA & METEC brought together exhibitors from 22 countries.

According to Wismer, this diversity creates opportunities for technology transfer while connecting Indonesian industries with global supply chain networks.


Visitors explore technology and equipment showcased by exhibitors at GIFA & METEC Indonesia 2026 in Jakarta. (Photo: Ist)

"This is a specialized exhibition with a global supply chain network behind it," he said.
 

Accelerating Downstream Development

Wismer said Indonesia has a major opportunity to strengthen its downstream metal industry because the country already has access to raw materials and domestic smelting facilities.

The main challenge, he said, lies in developing the capacity to produce high-value-added finished goods.

"Indonesia provides the raw materials, exports them, sells them, and ultimately buys back the finished products. This is the gap that we want to help close together," Wismer said.

Through GIFA & METEC, Messe Düsseldorf Asia aims to bring together technological solutions from various countries to help Indonesian industries address this gap.

The technologies showcased include thermal processing, automation, precision manufacturing, quality improvement, recycling, and the use of secondary metals.

Wismer emphasized that the platform is not intended to be limited to a single exhibition.

"We see Indonesia as a market where our commitment is truly present today. Not just for one edition of the exhibition, but for the next decade," he said.
 

Energy Efficiency and AI Become Key Challenges

Beyond downstream development, Indonesia's metal industry also faces challenges related to sustainability and high energy costs.

Wismer said energy efficiency will become increasingly important in metal production, as energy costs have a direct impact on companies’ performance.

"Every dollar that can be saved on energy will have a direct impact on a company’s profit and loss statement," he said.

Digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) are also expected to play an increasingly important role in manufacturing.

According to Wismer, AI can be used to optimize production processes, reduce energy consumption, and improve product quality.

One potential application of AI, he said, comes from production data that has been accumulated by industries over decades.

"We have seen industries feeding that data into AI systems. AI can then optimize production processes, save energy, and improve the quality of the output," Wismer said.

However, he stressed that technology adoption also requires skilled human resources. Industries need workers and engineers who are not only capable of designing technologies but also operating and utilizing them effectively.
 

Aluminum Pavilion Responds to Industry Needs

GIFA & METEC Indonesia 2026 also features the Aluminum Pavilion, one of the major additions to this year's exhibition.

Wismer explained that the pavilion was introduced in response to market demand, particularly as Indonesia's aluminum industry continues to expand.

"The questions about technology that arise as capacity increases are quite specific," he said.

The Aluminum Pavilion brings together different parts of the aluminum value chain in one location, ranging from smelting and alloy preparation to extrusion, rolling, precision fabrication, recycling, and material handling.

The pavilion showcases technologies covering various stages of aluminum manufacturing, including smelting, alloy preparation, extrusion, rolling, wire production, precision cutting, and the processing and recycling of metal waste or scrap.

The pavilion is considered particularly relevant to the development of Indonesia's aluminum industry. As production capacity grows and new aluminum processing facilities are developed, the demand for technologies to support downstream products is also expected to increase.

Aluminum is a strategic material widely used across various sectors. Its lightweight properties make it important for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, building construction, and renewable energy infrastructure.

Wismer said Indonesia's aluminum development opportunities extend beyond the upstream sector.

Downstream segments such as rolling, extrusion, construction, packaging, electrical applications, automotive components, and EV components all offer opportunities for further development.

"Recycling and secondary aluminum are also important because they require less energy and have a lower carbon footprint," he said.
 

Bringing the Value Chain Together, from Mining to Finished Products

GIFA & METEC Indonesia 2026 is being held in conjunction with Mining Indonesia, which has reached its 20th edition.

According to Wismer, the collaboration creates an opportunity to bring together the upstream and downstream sectors in one location.

"You essentially have the entire value chain, from mining to finished components, under one roof and on the same day," he said.

The integration allows mining and processing companies to meet technology suppliers while exploring potential investment opportunities in downstream industries.

Wismer believes communication between upstream and downstream sectors is one of the keys to successful industrial downstreaming.

"Downstreaming can only work if the upstream and downstream sectors actually talk to each other," he said.
 

Aiming to Become a Key Annual Event for Indonesia’s Metal Industry

In the long term, Messe Düsseldorf Asia aims to establish GIFA & METEC as one of the key events for Indonesia’s metal industry.

Wismer said the event is expected to serve as a platform for industry players to meet, explore technological developments, benchmark themselves against global standards, and determine their next investment priorities.

"We want to make GIFA & METEC the peak of the annual agenda for Indonesia’s metal industry—a place where the industry comes together and measures itself against global standards," he said.

Wismer hopes GIFA & METEC will contribute to Indonesia's transformation from a supplier of raw materials and semi-finished metals into a manufacturing base capable of producing high-quality, high-value finished products.

"We are building a permanent platform in Indonesia. We are not an exhibition that comes only once or twice. We want to remain in Indonesia because we see the potential of this market," Wismer said.