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Metafou 2025: Lower Participation Amid Economic Challenges, but Unprecedented Growth in Domestic Demand
Tehran, December 2025 – The 22nd International Metallurgy Exhibition (IranMetafo) concluded after four consecutive days of activity at the Tehran International Permanent Fairground, hosting 708 domestic and international companies. Despite a decline in overall participation compared with last year, largely driven by unfavorable economic conditions and international constraints, this year’s exhibition became a focal point for showcasing domestic capabilities and advancing digital transformation initiatives.
1. Statistics, Infrastructure, and the Exhibition’s Position
Based on information provided by Namanegar Company (the exhibition organizer)
• Event history: With its 22nd edition, Metafo has maintained its position as the largest specialized metals event in the Middle East for more than two decades.
• Exhibition area: The total covered space this year has been reported at approximately 32,000 square meters.
• Participation trend: While the previous edition (2024) hosted more than 800 companies, the number of participating companies in 2025 declined to 708.
• Reasons for the decline: According to the organizers’ assessment, challenging economic conditions and restrictions on international exchanges were the two main factors behind the drop in participation.
• Growth in domestic demand: According to official sources cited in the exhibition’s guidebook, the most notable aspect of this year’s event was the presence of a “high volume of unmet demand” from domestic producers, highlighting both the expansion of competitive capacity and the growing importance of the domestic market.
2. Strategic Priorities and Statements from Industry Officials
Based on the messages published in the exhibition’s official guidebook:
• Abdolkarim Jalali (Organizer): Emphasized the shortage of exhibition space relative to the high level of demand from domestic companies.
• Rasoul Khalifeh-Soltani (Secretary of the Iranian Steel Producers Association): Described steel as “one of the key pillars of the national economy” and highlighted the need to develop green technologies, optimize energy consumption, and strengthen global competitiveness.
• Abdolhamid Ghadimi (President of the Foundry Scientific Association): Described foundry operations as “the starting point of the production chain” and a fundamental pillar of the metallurgical industry.
• Saeed Loghmanei (Secretary of the Refractory Materials Association): Highlighted the importance of self-sufficiency in refractories and its role in reducing dependency and enhancing production security
3. The Role of Major Holdings and the Presentation of Key Achievements
According to reports from the Steel World Review news desk and official company disclosures:
• Shokri Industrial Group
• The group showcased its comprehensive capabilities in the steel sector and related industries.
• Jahan Sanat Kermanshah (knowledge-based) and Sima Foulad Jahan (rebar production) were among the group’s most active units at the exhibition.
Jahan Foulad Gharb unveiled a new H-section beam.
• Bisotoun Steel also presented details of its power plant operations and achievements, highlighting the company’s focus on sustainable energy supply.
• Khuzestan Steel: With a focus on pragmatism, the company highlighted its smart technology initiatives and environmental projects, including water consumption management.
• Holding and Mines : With 16 subsidiary companies present, it showcased the cohesion and breadth of its value chain in the mining and metals sector.
4- International Participation and Specialized Panels
• Foreign Companies: Participants came from countries including China, Italy, Turkey, Russia, Germany, the United Kingdom, India, Brazil, Spain, Austria, Sweden, South Africa, and Malaysia.
• Panel Focus: The specialized sessions concentrated on technological innovations, energy consumption reduction, smart tools, and projects related to green steel.
5- The Role of “Steel World Review” in the Digital Transformation of the Industry
The specialized publication Steel World Review participated in the exhibition with a dynamic booth, playing a key role in disseminating up-to-date knowledge and analyzing digital developments. Its latest issue focused on topics such as Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, and digital governance for industry managers and decision-makers.
Conclusion
Despite lower participation compared to the previous edition, Metafair 2025–2026 successfully reaffirmed its position as the most important event in the country’s metallurgy industry by leveraging the capabilities of domestic companies and strong market demand. This edition demonstrated that the future of the industry will be shaped by digitalization, equipment modernization, and optimal energy management.
