Future of metalworking Sustainability, digitalisation and automation to shape AMB

At AMB 2026, sustainability will move from broad ambition to concrete industrial practice. In conversation with Markus Heseding of VDMA Precision Tools, we look at hard metal recycling, recycled tool packaging and the role of the trade fair as a platform for circular economy, digitalisation and resilient supply chains in metalworking.

“Where metal comes alive” will be the message welcoming visitors to AMB in Stuttgart from 15 to 19 September 2026. In all ten trade fair halls, the event will aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the latest technologies and turn a practical spotlight on topics such as sustainability, digitalisation and automation. Concrete examples will be used to demonstrate sustainability in the context of recycling and a circular economy. The topic of digitalisation will focus on the use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing, and collaborative processes will serve to illustrate modern automation systems.

In conversation with Markus Heseding, Managing Director of VDMA Precision Tools, we take a closer look at the topic of a circular economy, the supply of hard metal and tool recycling — along with the role played by AMB 2026 as a key industry event.

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Heseding, what will be the focus of sustainability discourse in 2026 and what are key themes for the VDMA when it comes to recycling?

Sustainability has become a strategic, economic factor. In 2026, the focus will be on consolidating ecological responsibility, supply security and competitiveness. For the precision tool industry, three areas will be taking centre stage: the return and recycling of tool packaging, the supply of hard metal for the metalworking industries and product carbon footprint as a basis for transparent and comparable CO₂ data.

We want to focus on the first two points in this interview. You have long emphasised the importance of keeping hard metal in Europe. In concrete terms, what needs to happen to ensure that tungsten remains in European circulation — and where can the industry start?

Global competition for tungsten is intensifying — in particular, because demand is surging in other industries, such as the defence industry. At the same time, Europe has very few projects for the primary extraction of tungsten, and our heavy dependence on Chinese suppliers leaves us in a risky situation.

This brought about noticeably higher costs, price fluctuations, greater supply uncertainty and a state of unpredictability. We find ourselves in a particularly critical situation because hard metal tools are indispensable for the metalworking industry, being required in almost all machining processes.

And this is why we are seeing a greater emphasis on recycling. For decades now, European hard metal recycling has represented an economic and environmental success story. Europe therefore needs resilient supply concepts that will combine recycling management, technological innovation and fair industry partnerships.

This is precisely why it is so important to keep tungsten within European circulation. Hard metal scrap is a strategic recyclable material — every gram that remains in Europe strengthens our industrial sovereignty. We need stronger take-back systems, higher collection quotas and a consistent standard of quality in recycling. Our customers can also play a part by selling their hard metal scrap to European partners. We adhere to the principle that loyalty to the European circuit leads to long-term tool success!

In addition to the recovery of tungsten, the question of how to successfully introduce recycled tool packaging to the market is gaining traction. What steps need to be taken in order to effectively promote the use of recycled material in the metalworking industry? What key areas is your working group focusing on when it comes to recycled packaging?

When it comes to the use of recycled materials, technical feasibility is seldom an issue. The challenge lies in the fact that tool packaging has a low market value and demonstrating the economic viability of recycling as a business case often proves more difficult than expected. Further hurdles include scalability, availability and uniform quality standards. A key factor is the accumulation of enough sorted materials for reliable production.

In the VDMA working group on the recycling of tool packaging, we are working on feasible solutions with partners along the entire value chain. During trials, we achieved an effective return and recycling of used packaging into post-consumer recycling material for the first time, which was then retested and processed. This is how we achieve a valid database for a closed circuit.

Today, there are already pioneering companies offering tool packages made completely from recycled material — several manufacturers have even switched over entirely. And these solutions will be on display at AMB 2026.

How will the themes of hard metal recycling, recycled packaging and CFP be addressed at AMB? What VDMA initiatives and practical projects are coming under the spotlight in 2026?

Many companies present their latest developments at AMB, which is what makes the event so fascinating. We’ll be playing our part with the VDMA Technology Forum, at Stand B50 in the L-Bank Forum (Hall 1). Here, we’ll demonstrate how sustainability, recycling management and digitalisation are specifically implemented in the precision tool industry. Digitalisation facilitates material flow transparency, digital verification and standardised processes along the value chain. Numerous VDMA member companies and research partners will also be presenting their solutions. In addition to this, we will be demonstrating the latest results from our recently completed research project on increasing efficiency in hard metal recycling.

To what extent can AMB, as a major industry event, accelerate exchange and the development of solutions in response to the challenges faced? How important is cross-industry dialogue at AMB, as well as the element of direct communication?

One advantage would be the way in which AMB unites the entire process chain of the metalworking industry. The majority of visitors will be coming from Germany, a core industrial nation. Just as important are the international visitors, many of whom traditionally come from Switzerland, Austria and Italy, however also the Netherlands, France, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Türkiye. AMB succeeds in merging technological innovation and international appeal with the entire process chain of industrial manufacturing.

This type of exchange is vital for an industry simultaneously bracing against economic, geopolitical and industrial policy pressures.

We are all hoping that AMB will provide an important economic boost. This is an event at which companies can explore investment opportunities in future technologies, experience the latest applications and strategically position themselves for the next phases of development.

Thank you very much for talking to us

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