Healthy, flexible, and environmentally friendly

From March 3 to 6, 2026, the International Hardware Fair will offer retailers and buyers from all over the world an overview of current trends and the latest products in the hardware industry – from tools and accessories to construction, DIY, and industrial supplies to fittings, fasteners, and connection technology. More than 2,600 international exhibitors from 48 countries will present numerous innovations. The organizers are providing a preview of the key topics.

The latest tool series combine user comfort with enhanced safety standards. Well-thought-out designs are intended to make new and proven tools safer to use – whether clamping pliers with a new pump mechanism, spades with reinforced steps, or telescopic ladders with a larger standing surface. New lifting devices and heavy-duty hangers are also available for moving heavy furniture. 3D alarm sensors and the latest Bluetooth standards for locks and door openers are also designed to ensure greater security.

Health is a megatrend – and that also applies to the hardware industry, as Koelnmesse knows. Many tools are therefore being given an ergonomic upgrade for easier use. Examples include pliers and bending tools that have been optimized to require less effort and promote a healthy posture. Noise-reduced mixers for concrete and mortar and work clothing with improved UV protection also offer greater health protection. Working in a healthier way is also possible with non-toxic building materials that are also easier to dispose of.

New compact versions of tried-and-tested tools and devices also enable optimized use. Their decisive advantage is their low weight, which is designed to enable longer, fatigue-free working, for example when sawing, welding, or stripping insulation. Reduced product shapes are also suitable for smaller hands and use in confined working areas. Compact handheld vacuum cleaners and high-pressure cleaners have also been designed for this purpose and will also be on display at the trade fair. Handy battery stations, for example, provide a more efficient energy supply. Industry experts note that a sustainable side effect of such products is that smaller sizes mean less material and less space during transport, resulting in lower CO₂ emissions.

Environmentally friendly solutions continue to be in high demand, emphasizes Koelnmesse. This is reflected, among other things, in the increased use of recycled plastic from post-consumer waste for tool parts and tool cases. New cartridges or packaging for nails and screws, which are made of recyclable paper, contain little or no plastic. Used yarns and fabrics are also being reused in current workwear collections. The aim is to extend the service life of tool accessories such as sanding belts and saw blades and avoid waste.

New materials and building materials are constantly coming onto the market in the construction industry. Market experts advise that modern tools should adapt to this change. This can be achieved, among other things, with interchangeable systems for blades, mixers, or drill bits. Cordless chargers are just as flexible. Ultrasonic cleaning devices also promise versatility, cleaning complex machines as well as sensitive electronics or large construction machinery.

Fashion and interior design trends also influence innovations in the hardware industry. Today's tools, for example, are inspired by natural colors. Black surfaces are also in vogue, emphasizing the exclusivity of the products or their modern aesthetics. Fresh colors complement the otherwise rather muted color palette of tools and accessories. Today, hammers even come in bright pink – “a fashion statement and at the same time an advantage when searching for tools on the construction site,” as they emphasize in Cologne.