{"id":6122,"date":"2026-07-23T14:19:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T13:19:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionplantworld.com\/news\/?p=6122"},"modified":"2026-07-23T14:19:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T13:19:02","slug":"intermat-21-24-april-2027","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionplantworld.com\/news\/2026\/07\/intermat-21-24-april-2027\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERMAT 21 -24 April 2027"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
With less than a year to go until the next edition, INTERMAT has published a special issue entitled \u201cThe construction industry rising to the challenge of sustainability\u201d. It offers an overview of the three pillars of sustainability\u00a0\u2013 economic, environmental and social\u00a0\u2013 which will guide the event in 2027. It reflects the ambition of the five main trade associations, C-MAT, EVOLIS, DLR, FFB and FNTP, which are working together to successfully drive the sector\u2019s sustainable transformation, whilst maintaining its competitiveness. This special issue fully embodies the spirit of INTERMAT: a space for dialogue, demonstrations and breaking down barriers, both in France and internationally. It offers stakeholders an insight into THE strategic event in the construction sector, which aims to make sustainability a solution to energy, technological and human challenges.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The special issue draws in particular on the discussions held at the Sector Day on 29 January 2026, during which all French and European stakeholders shared their analyses, feedback and perspectives on the changes taking place in the construction sector.<\/p>\n

Economic sustainability: building and achieving a viable transition<\/strong><\/p>\n

The sector\u2019s transition to more sustainable models cannot take place without economic balance. Between European climate targets, rising investment costs and the need to maintain business competitiveness, economic sustainability now appears to be the key prerequisite for its transformation.<\/p>\n

The EU has set an ambitious target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. But for manufacturers, businesses, rental companies and equipment suppliers, the question is no longer one of commitment, but of how to achieve this goal. The industry must simultaneously reduce its carbon footprint, meet increasing regulatory requirements and continue to produce. The European regulatory framework is also shifting the balance within the sector, increasing the burden of administrative obligations and highlighting the importance of stability in safeguarding investments.<\/p>\n

The issue of demand is another major challenge. Low-carbon equipment remains more expensive than traditional solutions. This means that public procurement is a tool that can shape the market by steering tenders towards low-carbon solutions.<\/p>\n

Finally, the issue of equipment funding remains crucial. After a difficult period, the European market is gradually recovering, but the investment required for the transition remains substantial. In this context, rental plays a key role in facilitating access to equipment whilst keeping investment costs down. As Philippe Cohet, the chairman of DLR, points out, around 80% of machines are now leased.<\/strong><\/p>\n

INTERMAT provides an opportunity to share experiences, highlight existing solutions and, above all, identify the conditions under which they can be rolled out across the sector, with business models that are sustainable in the long term, <\/em><\/strong>says Guillaume Schaeffer, Director of the INTERMAT trade show.<\/em><\/p>\n

Environmental sustainability: towards multi-energy construction sites<\/strong><\/p>\n

In light of decarbonisation targets and global energy pressures, businesses must adapt their equipment, organisational structures and energy choices. This shift is now moving towards a multi-energy approach, which is seen as the most realistic solution for meeting the diverse energy needs on construction sites.<\/p>\n

The electrification of equipment, particularly small machines, is one of the most noticeable developments. Pilot projects demonstrate that these solutions are technically viable and help to reduce emissions and noise pollution. Biofuels such as HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil) are also emerging as a credible and readily available solution for reducing emissions from internal combustion engines.<\/p>\n

According to Xavier Neuschwander, Chair of the FNTP\u2019s Technical and Innovation Committee: Carbon-free energy sources remain scarcer than oil. This means sectors must be organised and decisions made based on applications.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Against this backdrop, the sector has come together to form the CINERGIC<\/strong> consortium, established by C-MAT, EVOLIS, DLR, FFB and FNTP to coordinate discussions on on-site energy solutions. Thanks to the consortium, dialogue has been established with the public authorities and has led to concrete progress, notably \u20ac20 million in financial support for electric machinery.<\/p>\n

And environmental sustainability also depends on changing practices, such as driver assistance systems, eco-driving, usage rates, and managing idling<\/em><\/strong>, points out Davy Guillemard, President of C-Mat.<\/p>\n

INTERMAT has established itself as a key venue for scaling up: a space where solutions and innovations are showcased, compared and discussed collectively, with a view to clarifying the conditions for rolling them out<\/strong><\/em>, explains Guillaume Schaeffer.<\/p>\n

Social sustainability: attracting talent, training staff and transforming roles<\/strong><\/p>\n

The construction sector faces a major challenge: attracting, training and retaining talent. The sector faces significant recruitment needs, with over 210,000 new hires each year in France, but nearly three-quarters of these are considered difficult to fill. This shortfall is not due to a lack of opportunities, but to a perception that is sometimes at odds with the current reality of these professions. Increasing the number of women in construction professions is also a strategic issue, and one where significant effort is still required.<\/p>\n

Jean-Claude Fayat, First Vice-President of EVOLIS and President of the FIM, sums up the issue as follows: To attract young people to these professions, we need to give a clearer picture of how they are changing. These are now more modern, less physically demanding jobs that value initiative and independence.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Their transformation is also driven by new technologies that are bringing about tangible changes to working conditions on construction sites, particularly AI, which is paving the way for predictive maintenance applications.<\/p>\n

In response to this situation, the sector is taking action on several fronts: providing training to support changes in the workplace, developing more structured support programmes to help new staff settle into their roles during their first few years, and diversifying recruitment practices.<\/p>\n

As S\u00e9bastien Ram\u00e9, Vice-President of UMGO-FFB, highlights: Companies are much more open in their recruitment practices. We\u2019re seeing people from different backgrounds join us as they change careers, and that\u2019s a real asset to the sector.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Sustainability also depends on the ability to adapt roles, attract new talent and support skills development. INTERMAT brings these changes to life, particularly through the INTERMAT Academy and the special opening to the general public on Saturday 24 April. This broader perspective is essential for providing long-term support to the sector, <\/strong><\/em>emphasises Guillaume Schaeffer.<\/p>\n

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