- The second edition of the national welding biennial has shown its good health with a more than 24% increase in participating companies compared to the 2023 edition
(Irun, March 21, 2025). UNIRE, the professional fair specialized in welding and multi-material joining technologies, has closed its second edition with a positive balance. Held on March 18 and 19 at Ficoba, the fair attracted 2,109 attendees.
Visitors have highly valued the fair’s evolution, which attracted more exhibiting companies and visitors, the organization and logistics, the diversity and quality of the offerings and the practical machinery demonstrations at the exhibitors’ stands, and the appeal of the welding championship.
This positive feedback extends to the roundtables held in the Conference Area, where topics such as process optimization as a key to achieving a combination of efficiency and sustainability, generational change as both a challenge and an opportunity, technology as the ally of new inspection and verification methods, digital transformation with automation, sensorization, robotics, and artificial intelligence as the main protagonists, and the impact of energy transition on joining technologies were addressed.
In terms of sector origin, the most represented sector was boilermaking (18.91%), followed by automotive manufacturers and public works machinery. Other visitors came from sectors such as the construction of metal installations and structures, maintenance and repair companies, or manufacturers of industrial equipment, among others.
Exhibitors’ feedback
Regarding exhibitors’ satisfaction, 88% stated that they would return to participate in a third edition of UNIRE. This is further reinforced by the fact that these companies are used to participating as exhibitors. In fact, 78% have stated that they have participated in professional fairs in the last two years.
UNIRE has also begun to make a name for itself internationally, attracting companies from countries such as Germany, France, Italy, and Portugal, making UNIRE a key event for the welding and joining materials sector.
Success of the Welding Championship
One of the main attractions of the fair was the Welding Championship, which not only consolidated its relevance within UNIRE but also offered participants the chance to qualify for the International Welding Competition in Essen, Germany.
With the participation of 27 training centers from various regions of Spain, the event stood out for the professionalism of the contestants, who competed in MAG, TIG, and stick welding tests. A particularly attractive event aimed at attracting talent to training centers to later integrate them into companies that increasingly demand highly qualified profiles in welding and joining technologies.
About UNIRE
UNIRE is the professional fair specialized in welding and multi-material joining technologies, organized by Ficoba in collaboration with CESOL (Spanish Association of Welding and Joining Technologies). Its goal is to bring together the ecosystem of companies in the sector to promote business generation, knowledge exchange, and the promotion of young talent. The fair is supported by the Basque Government through SPRI and the Department of Economic Promotion and Strategic Projects of the Gipuzkoa Provincial Council.
