The 30th edition of ISH China & CIHE concluded in Beijing earlier this month, positioning itself as a key node in the global HVAC network while underscoring China’s growing influence in low-carbon heating technologies.
Held from 31 March to 2 April 2026, the fair brought together 1,003 brands and drew 76,573 visitors from 81 countries and regions. Participants from across Europe and Asia – including Germany, Italy, South Korea and Türkiye – reflected the event’s increasingly international profile, as well as its role as part of the wider Messe Frankfurt ISH portfolio.
Across three days, exhibition halls were defined by dense foot traffic and active exchanges, as industry players navigated a sector undergoing rapid transformation. Nearly 500 pre-arranged business matchmaking sessions connected international buyers with Chinese manufacturers, reinforcing the fair’s function as both marketplace and knowledge platform.
Structured around five core sectors – heating, energy, water, comfort and intelligent installation – the exhibition highlighted integrated system thinking over standalone products. Dedicated zones such as the German Area and Canadian Pavilion returned alongside new thematic showcases, including an anniversary exhibition by China’s Heating and Radiator Committee, signalling a shift toward holistic, system-level innovation.
Exhibitors framed the fair as both a commercial gateway and a barometer of industry change. According to Mr Zhang Liangliang of Micoe, the platform has enabled the company to scale its clean-heating solutions across China while building long-term international partnerships, with applications ranging from solar-thermal systems to large-scale industrial projects.
For Mr Pang Zengqiang of Bitzer, the growing presence of global brands has intensified competition while accelerating innovation. He described the evolution of China’s heating sector over the past three decades as a transition “from follower to front-runner”, particularly in the development of zero-carbon heating frameworks.
Emerging companies also leveraged the event to establish visibility. Mr Ma Xiaolin of Jingwei Xintong noted that sustained visitor engagement allowed for in-depth discussions around smart heating technologies, while Mr Nazar Mukhammedov of Gassero (Türkiye) emphasised the continued importance of in-person exchanges, arguing that physical fairs remain unmatched for product launches and brand-building.
Visitor feedback echoed this sentiment, pointing to both the technical maturity and competitive pricing of Chinese products. Mr M Faisal Aslam of MS Aslam Sons Trading Company attending for the first time, highlighted the appeal of high-quality yet cost-effective components for the Pakistani market, while Spain-based Ms Martínez Roque Alianet of Refclim Company described the fair as a valuable sourcing platform for HVAC systems and emerging technologies.
Beyond the exhibition floor, more than 60 concurrent events addressed the sector’s transition toward sustainability. Forums such as the Zero-Carbon Heating Forum and the China-Europe Heat Pump Industry Forum convened policymakers, engineers and manufacturers to discuss next-generation heating systems and renewable integration.
Industry representatives framed these dialogues as essential to aligning standards and accelerating adoption. Ms Liu Rong (Deputy Director-General of China District Heating Association (CDHA), Deputy Director of Heating Technology Specialised Committee) described the fair as both a historical witness and active driver of China’s shift toward energy-efficient systems, while Mr Wu Huimin (Deputy Secretary-General, China Construction Metal Structure Association
) emphasised its role in connecting the full supply chain – from heat sources to end-use applications.
Mr Zhao Hengyi (Vice Chief Supervisor of China Energy Conservation Association and Secretary General of China Heat Pump Alliance
) noted that a series of heat pump-focused events helped strengthen collaboration between Chinese and European industries, while identifying emerging applications and technological directions. He added that the fair’s international reputation not only ensured strong attendance, but also enabled broader global exposure through curated media engagement with leading brands.
Mr Cai Xiangfeng (General Manager, Shanghai Industrial Boiler Research Institute Co Ltd
) highlighted the importance of cross-sector participation, noting that the convergence of companies, research institutes and industry bodies enables alignment on key issues while advancing technical standards. He suggested that future editions will increasingly focus on accelerating the adoption of green technologies and supporting the transition toward low-carbon, energy-efficient heating systems.
Looking ahead, the next edition of ISH China & CIHE 2027 will take place from 12 to 14 May 2027, while the flagship ISH 2027 is scheduled for March in Frankfurt.
Photo courtesy of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd
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