The sixth edition of Industrial Valve Summit (IVS) is set to open its doors at the Bergamo Exhibition Centre, Italy, from May 19 to 21, 2026. The numbers alone signal something significant. With 416 exhibitors (a 30% increase over 2024) and close to 100 international companies from 20 countries, this is the most international edition the Summit has ever staged.
The exhibition footprint reflects the ambition: four halls totaling 21,400 square meters and an additional exhibition day (turning what was a two-day event into a proper “valve week”). The scientific program has grown by 30%, now comprising 68 sessions across six thematic tracks.
Where additive manufacturing fits
What makes IVS 2026 relevant to this industry is content. Among the six thematic areas structured by VALVEcampus, the scientific arm of the Summit, additive manufacturing appears explicitly alongside AI, digital technologies, advanced sealing solutions, and materials for severe service environments.
The valve industry is a demanding application space: high pressure, corrosive environments, extreme temperatures, strict regulatory requirements. These are precisely the conditions where AM’s design freedom, part consolidation capabilities, and ability to work with high-performance alloys are being put to the test.
We’ve been tracking AM’s progression into oil & gas and industrial flow control for some time. The sector’s complexity and the conservatism that comes with it have meant adoption has been measured and deliberate. IVS 2026 suggests the conversation is now moving into the mainstream of industry events.
The IVS-Prometeia Observatory confirms Italy holds approximately 38% of total European valve production. The sector generates over €3 billion in output and sustains more than 10,000 jobs, a strategic industrial cluster by any measure.
A note for our readers attending IVS 2026: 3D ADEPT Media is a media partner of the event. You’ll find copies of 3D ADEPT Mag available onsite at the trade press booth. Pick one up and bring the AM perspective with you onto the show floor.
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