Kicking off the new year with renewed trends and expectations, IMM Cologne 2024, one of the main fairs on the international furniture calendar, opens its doors this Sunday, January 14, in the German city of Cologne.
The event, running until next Thursday (18), features the presence of 27 Brazilian companies participating in the Brazilian Furniture Project, with 13 of them showcasing their products in exclusive booths and all taking part in business rounds with international buyers through a Trade Mission organized by ABIMÓVEL (The Brazilian Furniture Manufacturers Association) in partnership with ApexBrasil (The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), the project’s founding entities.
Focused on business and networking, IMM offers direct access to the European market, as well as attracting qualified buyers from various other regions. For this purpose, the fair represents the entire spectrum of products and services of the global furniture industry, bringing together everything from innovative furniture solution startups to high-end designers and leading companies in the international market.
This year, the central theme of the event is “Connecting Communities.” Inviting visitors to discover new collections and product innovations, discuss trends, make new contacts, and expand existing relationships. Topics such as sustainability, recycling, and durability are expected to be some of the key points.
“Sustainable management and design integrated into the industry are influencing not just the choice of furniture, but also of partner brands. Factors very well addressed by the Brazilian furniture industry, which is a reference in design and sustainability, with about 98% of our exporting companies having certifications that attest to environmental responsibility in the sector,” says ABIMÓVEL’s Executive Director, Cândida Cervieri.
Meet the Brazilian companies that will be highlighted at IMM Cologne 2024
Companies exhibiting at the fair and participating in the Trade Mission:
ARBOREAL
BERTOLINI
CARRARO
DE LAVIE / TREBOLL MÓVEIS
KAPPESBERG / GRUPO K1
HERVAL/UULTIS – NORDESTE
HERVAL/UULTIS – RS
LOPAS
MULTIMÓVEIS
RONEGA
TELASUL
TRAMONTINA BELÉM
TRAMONTINA DELTA
Companies participating in the Trade Mission:
ATUALLE
BECHARA
BRV MÓVEIS
CENTURY
COLIBRI
CREATORE
DJ MÓVEIS
IMCAL
INM Brasil
KITS PARANÁ
LINEA
MADETEC
MEMPRA
POLIMAN
Expectations for IMM Cologne 2024
The last edition of IMM, held in June 2023 in a more concise format, also featured 27 Brazilian companies associated with the Brazilian Furniture Project, resulting in 266 commercial contacts, not only from Germany but also from eight other countries (Saudi Arabia, Spain, France, Israel, Morocco, Oman, United Kingdom, and Switzerland), totaling over US$ 13.9 million in prospective business. Returning to its standard format and dates, expectations for the 2024 edition are even higher.
“The increase in Brazilian exports of furniture and mattresses to Germany, especially the 56.2% jump between 2021 and 2022, reflects the growing importance of this market,” highlights Clarissa Franco, manager of the Brazilian Furniture Project at ApexBrasil. IEMI, a research company partnering with the project, estimates that the potential increase in Brazilian exports to Germany in the sector could reach +28% in up to five years.
A growth perspective that could be even greater considering the new bilateral agreement closed between Brazil and Germany. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who was in the German capital, Berlin, at the end of last year with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, emphasized “green industrialization” as one of the main points of the agreement.
“Fairs like IMM are fundamental for Brazilian brands to expand their global presence, win new commercial partners, and stay both updated and demonstrate to the world the latest trends in design, materials, sustainable management, and technology. Additionally, the IMM Trade Mission offers a unique opportunity for these companies to have face-to-face meetings with qualified buyers from markets in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, enhancing the promotion and expansion of their operations abroad,” says Cândida, Executive Director of ABIMÓVEL, once again.
IMM 2024 Bets and Trends
If sustainability is in focus, it is natural, therefore, that organic colors and shapes will be too. Natural tones, such as algae or earthy tones, are expected to appear on furniture surfaces, integrating into the natural-looking decor with many plants. Highlight for the Peach Fuzz tone, chosen by Pantone as the color of the year for 2024. According to the color expert institute, it is “an empathetic peach tone that brings a feeling of kindness and welcoming, communicating a message of care and sharing, community life, and collaboration.”
According to trend experts in the sector, the current movement for interior design favors fabrics, patterns, and textures that please the senses, as well as materials like wood, leather, and natural stone, trademarks of Brazilian design.
“The companies participating in both the exhibition at the fair and the Trade Mission are prepared to show the world the strength and uniqueness of Brazilian furniture. We are optimistic to see so many national companies ready to shine at IMM Cologne,” concludes Clarissa, manager of the Brazilian Furniture Project.
Brazilian Furniture Project
The Brazilian Furniture Project is an initiative by ABIMÓVEL (The Brazilian Furniture Manufacturers Association) and ApexBrasil (The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency), aimed at increasing the Brazilian furniture industry’s participation in the international market through a set of strategic actions based on the pillars of sustainability, competitiveness, and integrated industry design.
To be a part of the project and place your brand in the biggest events in the sector around the world, visit: brazilianfurniture.org.br.
About ABIMÓVEL
ABIMÓVEL (The Brazilian Furniture Manufacturers Association) has been working for over three decades to strengthen the national industry and furniture sector. With a purposeful agenda and in partnership with the public and private sectors, the entity works to boost production and improve the business environment in Brazil. Thus, creating opportunities and opening new markets for companies throughout the wood and furniture chain by implementing various initiatives focused on promoting competitiveness and innovation. These include export programs, sustainability, integrated industry design, factory adaptation, enhancement of micro and small businesses, commercial intelligence, among others.
About ApexBrasil
ApexBrasil (The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investments to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. In order to achieve its goals, ApexBrasil carries out several trade promotion initiatives aimed at promoting Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business rounds, support to the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that also aim at strengthening the Brazil brand.
FURNITURE: OUR BUSINESS
The Brazilian Furniture Manufacturers Association – ABIMÓVEL
Press Office: press@abimovel.com
