A new format premieres at LIGNA’s anniversary edition 2025: LIGNA.Circular. From May 26 to 30, 2025, Hall 12 will showcase a hot topic for the woodworking industry, focusing on the circular transformation in woodworking and wood processing. The motto of the new format is "Thinking in Circles," which LIGNA organizers are implementing in partnership with CADEMI, a company experienced in creating successful formats in the furniture and furnishing industries. CADEMI will be represented by its founders, Christof Flötotto and Andre Hempel.

In terms of content, LIGNA.Circular ties into the focus topic of LIGNA.SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION, which centers on economically viable approaches that protect the environment and resources for future generations while improving working conditions within the woodworking trade and industry.

“With LIGNA.Circular, we are highlighting a crucial topic for the industry—circularity and the resource cycle. The primary goal is to initially build an active community through moderated event formats, where best practices, potentials, and challenges related to circular value creation can be shared,” says Stephanie Wagner, Project Manager of LIGNA at Deutsche Messe AG. “As the first point of contact for a community dedicated to the circular economy in the woodworking and wood processing industry, LIGNA.Circular aims to build much-needed bridges between users, service providers, manufacturers, and craftspeople,” Wagner adds.

To ensure the relevance and impact of LIGNA.Circular as an innovation network, strong industry participation is essential. LIGNA.Circular also aims to enhance cooperation with relevant cross-sector and service industries. This interdisciplinary collaboration is intended to promote practical solutions and drive the circular transformation forward in a focused manner.

“A sustainable, circular transformation requires commitment from partners across the entire stakeholder group. Above all, however, it requires the right mindset, skills, and methods,” emphasizes Andre Hempel, Co-Founder of CADEMI. “Our goal is to establish this format within the industry on a long-term, sustainable basis. LIGNA.Circular is meant to offer a platform that goes beyond mere exchange, actively serving as a catalyst for sustainable developments in the industry,” adds Christof Flötotto, the second Co-Founder of CADEMI.

About CADEMI - Community and Academy for Circular Transformation

CADEMI promotes the integration of ecological and social responsibility into business strategies, strengthening sustainable growth and trust. This approach offers significant potential for innovation and serves as a critical foundation for future economic success. Through regular events and moderated communities, the CADEMI network provides a platform to stay informed about current developments and explore new perspectives and partnerships. These communities facilitate the assessment of the current landscape and the creation of new pathways and goals for circular action. For focused, cooperative learning experiences, CADEMI offers customized learning journeys, conducted in collaboration with partners, suppliers, or customers. The necessary skills and methods to initiate and support transformation processes and implement circular practices are taught through a structured curriculum. CADEMI was founded by Andre Hempel and Christof Flötotto.