Milan, 25th May 2023 – 2022 has been confirmed as a record year for theconstruction sector with growth of approximately 19% compared with 2021 and clear demand benefits for the entire sector. In addition, positive forecasts for the  next two years predict growth of + 9.4% for 2023 and + 7.1% for 2024 (source: Unicmi data).

The construction supply chain is thus clearly confirmed both now and in coming  years, as one of the driving forces for the country's economy. This sector will be required to make an important effort in today’s complex and challenging scenario: reviewing and revising the concept of construction from the ground up, thinking and designing spaces in a different way, following unexplored paths and solutions and promoting practices and systems that drastically reduce the impacton the environment.

The next edition of ME - MADE expo, the sector's reference event, will take place against this backdrop at the Fiera Milano from 15th to 18th November 2023, looking at materials, technologies and solutions for creating sustainable, energy efficient, less polluting, digital and technologically integrated buildings able to offer greater levels of comfort and a higher quality of life.

A GROWING MARKET: THE CONSTRUCTION SECTOR, OUTLOOK 2023 -2024

According to calculations carried out by the Unicmi Study Center on behalf of ME – MADE expo, after a 2022 marked by exceptional results for the construction industry, the two-year period 2023-2024 will see a growth in investments of over € 14bn in residential construction and about € 10bn in the non-residential sector. This growth is significant above all because it is assessed net of potential incentives, although the effects could, unfortunately, be partially affected negatively by the impact of inflation and tax hikes.

For residential restructuring, which recorded a growth of around 20% in 2022, an increase of around 10% is expected in 2023. Investments in infrastructure, which grew by 22% in 2022, are also expected to increase by 12% in 2023 and 14% in 2024, while the net growth of investments in the infrastructure sector will approach € 9bn in the two-year period 2023-2024. These numbers could increase further thanks to the impetus created by the start of works related to the PNRR which foresees € 60bn of investments in infrastructures by 2026.

CONTENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN SYNERGIES: THE VALUE OF ME-MADE EXPO

In terms of construction, infrastructure, the PNRR, new spaces and urban contexts, at an international level the debate is wide-ranging and covers innovation, sustainability, experimentation, regulations and quality of life, all of which should reach a level of conformity within the European legislative agenda  over the next few years, notwithstanding a considerable number of difficulties and specific territorial problems. This is the context in which ME - MADE expo is moving and developing.

Organized by Made Eventi srl, a Fiera Milano company (60%) together with Federlegno Arredo Eventi (40%), ME - MADE expo 2023 enjoys the patronage of the City of Milan as well as sector associations such as Assimpredil Ance, Assorestauro, Federbeton, Finco, Fondazione Promozione Acciaio, Unicmi and ISI - Ingegneria Sismica Italiana.

With the aim of encouraging business opportunities for exhibitors and visitors, the event is part of the MIBA - Milan International Building Alliance which will bring together four events under a single roof: GEE - Global Elevator Exhibition, SICUREZZA and SMART BUILDING EXPO as well as ME, of course.

In significantly exceeding the number of attendances in 2021, ME - MADE expo 2023 will see 500 exhibiting companies of which 15% are foreign. This fact confirms the event as a reference point for Italy and abroad and one which allows stakeholders, professionals, associations and institutions to take stock of the sector and face the choices of tomorrow.

With a new concept and a new layout, ME – MADE expo 2023 will be held  over four pavilions and 30,000 sqm of surface area, divided into two vertically  focused halls, Building Envelope and Construction. These have been  designed to support the building community in the necessary evolution of the built environment marked by attention dedicated to Innovation and Sustainability.

In an extremely stimulating context notable for its renewed international competitiveness, ME – MADE expo 2023 will be a useful opportunity for  updating and comparing for the entire sector, with the aim of analysing and proposing solutions and new paradigms related to sustainability, quality of  life and new European regulations, but also to the ecological transition, the recycling of materials, energy efficiency, the decarbonisation of heating and cooling systems as well as digital proximity solutions for integrating renewable materials and energy.

VISIONS OF THE FUTURE. THE MANY SIDES OF ME - MADE EXPO

Accompanying ME – MADE expo on this journey will be two highly  authoritative figures on the global architectural scene, Carlo Ratti and  Winy Maas, who will participate in the event as official ambassadors. 

Undisputed masters in terms of international debate, the two architects  will be present at the event and a virtual space entitled Archibox will be  dedicated to each of them. In addition to presenting the best of what is  on offer for constructing, restructuring, renovating and redeveloping  public, residential and commercial buildings, the pavilions at the show will  host a varied calendar of events ranging from workshops to theme-based  itineraries and from thematic displays to spaces for networking and indepth analysis.

The many scheduled appointments will include the 8th edition of FEL, the trade event for operators in the colour and decor sector; the Material Next 2023 capsule, an initiative focused on sustainable and high-performance materials; the  Design for Circularity - Call for Challenges project, carried out in collaboration  with the Milan Polytechnic School of Architecture, Urban Planning and Construction Engineering; UNBUILT - Unrealized Projects, in collaboration with Platform, intended to give visibility to the architecture of the unbuilt; various cycles of meetings including RE – Regeneration |Real Estate and The Place To  Build without forgetting the ME AWARD and the START UP ZONE