Wire & cable experts convened in Kraków for the 2025 International Technical Conference
174 professionals gathered in Poland to share knowledge and explore the future of wire and cable manufacturing
On October 14, 2025, Kraków’s Holiday Inn City Centre became a meeting point for the international wire and cable community. The Wire & Cable 2025 Technical Conference brought together 174 industry professionals for a packed day of knowledge exchange and networking. The event was co-organized by WAI (Poland Chapter), ACIMAF, IWMA, and AGH University of Kraków.
The conference featured technical presentations from leading companies such as MFL Group, Tata Steel, Niehoff, InnoVites, SAMP Group, Eder Engineering, TKT Group, Hyperion Materials & Technologies, Caleotto (Feralpi Group), and WiTechs, alongside contributions from AGH University and other key institutions.
Voices from the industry: academia and manufacturing in dialogue
Beata Smyrak from AGH University highlighted the role of academia in supporting industrial progress: “Science should not only serve researchers’ satisfaction — science should drive industrial development,” she said.
The conference offered a clear snapshot of current priorities and challenges. “It was a good chance to feel closer to the market and try to anticipate its needs,” commented Giorgio Albertazzi of SAMP Group, while WiTechs’ Jort Kuipers pointed to automation and workforce shortages as pressing concerns: “We must achieve more with fewer people, using smarter, AI-driven machinery.”
The organizing associations reflected on broader market dynamics. Eric Bieberich (WAI) reaffirmed the event’s educational mission, calling it “a platform to share best practices and strengthen industry knowledge.” ACIMAF’s Ferruccio Bellina described contrasting trends: “Non-ferrous is promising, while the ferrous segment still faces market pressure from imports — yet we are optimistic about upcoming EU measures.” IWMA’s Brian Cutts added, “The shift toward renewables, electrification, and grid expansion is redefining our sector.”
Expometals.net, official media partner, released an on-site video interview with representatives of WAI, ACIMAF, and IWMA — a live, journalistic take capturing the industry’s sentiment (see below).
Following below is also the full institutional recap video by WAI, featuring our Editor-in-Chief Daniela Di Maggio interviewing some of the most distinguished attendees.
Analysts from CRU outlined both the short-term headwinds and structural opportunities shaping the wire and cable sector. Global demand is projected to keep expanding, driven mainly by electrification, renewable energy, data-center development, and defense investments, even as China’s growth moderates. In Europe, weaker construction and manufacturing are expected to limit 2025 gains, though recovery should resume in 2026. On the ferrous side, CRU highlighted that steel prices and apparent demand could start improving from 2026, supported by a more stable macroeconomic environment and the introduction of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
As the Kraków edition came to a close, participants praised the conference’s rich technical content and networking opportunities, which also proved to be a valuable show of cooperation among the organizing members. The wire and cable community now looks forward to the next edition, eager to find out where the International Technical Conference will take place.
Learn more about some of the technical papers presented in Kraków:
TKT Group and the University of Milan Bicocca present the “STAR” project at Wire & Cable Krakow
Reverse aging and deformability of steel wire rod: a study by Caleotto and PoliMi
SAMP Group showcases innovation and efficiency at the Wire and Cable Conference in Krakow
Have you presented a technical paper in Kraków (or at other industry conferences)? Contact us to publish it on Expometals.net.
