International Exhibition & Conference on Valves & Flow Control Technologies 2024

The Industrial Valve Summit (IVS), one of the biggest showcases for the global valves sector, is scheduled to take place in Bergamo, Italy from 15 to 16 May 2024. Mining Business Africa (MBA) finds out from Luca Pandolfi, Industrial Valve Summit (IVS) Project Manager, about what is in store at the event amidst groundbreaking advances in valve technology. 

MBA: Various players in the industry are looking forward to the Industrial Valve Summit (IVS). Looking back, what do you particularly consider as milestones of the IVS post-Covid-19 pandemic, in terms of attendance numbers and diversity of participants (exhibitors)?

LP: Despite the international travel restrictions and the delicate global scenarios that were taking place in 2022, the fourth edition of IVS drew a record 12,000 visitors from over 60 countries, as well as almost 300 exhibiting companies. This was an increase of 17% compared to IVS 2019.

Two years ago, we saw a drop in registrations from the Far East countries. However, we expect that the Summit edition, which is just around the corner, will have many more operators from this geographical area participating. The growth trend was noticeable from the very first moments of the exhibition.

The third edition of the Summit attracted over 250 companies and 10,800 visitors to Bergamo. This was 36% more than the 8,000 attendances recorded in 2017. Further back, the number trebled in comparison with the 3,500 accesses recorded in 2015.

Generally, this data indicates how IVS has consolidated itself as an essential event for the entire global supply chain connected to industrial valves and flow control.

MBA: What is the relevance of the event to valve and flow control companies targeting the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region? 

LP: The MEA markets represent a very dynamic scenario for the valve and flow control industry, and international companies are attentive to the opportunities in this area. On the one hand, the Summit will attract important players from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and the Persian Gulf in general. On the other hand, IVS will represent the stage on which to intercept the major projects in the Oil&Gas field under development in the African continent, including, for example, Nigeria and Mozambique.

MBA: What should we look forward to the IVS May 2024 on the programme’s schedule? 

LP: The Summit organisers, in collaboration with VALVEcampus (the event’s scientific partner), have unveiled the IVS 2024 conference calendar: a total of 46 conferences, round tables, workshops, case studies and laboratories, for a more than one-third larger plan compared to the 34 in-depth technical sessions offered at IVS 2022. The programme is structured around eight macro-themes: additive manufacturing; digital technologies applied to valves, actuation, and control; sealing and fugitive emissions; valve design and materials for severe services; standardization and standards development; supply chain management; AI applied to mechanical design, procurement and manufacturing; energy transition, carbon capture utilisation and storage. These are complemented by round tables discussing hydrogen, analysing market trends, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), greenhouse gas management and other topics.

MBA: Tell us about new participants with new specialities bringing new dimensions to the event.

LP: The market specialities of the new exhibitors reflect the topical themes on which the industry is identifying new opportunities. These are hydrogen, Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage and the large-scale distribution of water resources, such as dams and aqueducts.

MBA: Specifically, is there anything related to machine learning AI and machine learning in valves and flow control?

LP: IVS 2024 will have a special area dedicated to artificial intelligence. Exhibitors involved in IA applications in the field of valve production and utilisation will have the chance to exhibit their products and services in a special dedicated area. They will present speeches, company presentations and workshops during IVS.

The ongoing development of AI opens the valve supply chain to new possibilities and renewed operating models. Noteworthy, the rapid integration of technology into the industrial organisation already represents a competitive advantage for companies in the industry.

MBA: Last but not least, what is the relevance is the IVS 2024 to the global supply valve and flow control supply chain? 

LP: IVS has taken on a central role within the sector, generating increasing interest from the industry. The Summit has become a point of reference for EPCs, end-users and technology manufacturers, all of which consider the event much more than just an exhibition. In addition to being a key event in business development, IVS is an international meeting place to read and interpret change, identifying and analysing the challenges of the entire supply chain. IVS offers the opportunity to meet the major players in the global supply chain and to forge new business relationships. Last but not least, it provides an opportunity to delve into technological innovations and examine market evolutions and socio-economic macro-trends.