From 31 March – 2 April, the 2026 edition welcomed 76,573 visitors from 81 countries and regions, including Germany, Italy, Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey and Uzbekistan, which demonstrates the show’s strong international reach. Over the three-day event, the booths were bustling with global exhibitors and visitors actively exchanging views on cutting-edge technologies and market trends.
Utilising the global resources of the ISH brand and Messe Frankfurt’s digital services infrastructure, the show facilitated nearly 500 face-to-face business matchmaking sessions between exhibitors and international buyers. These meetings successfully linked participants across the supply chain, further strengthening international trade and cooperation.
Built around five core sectors, “Heating solutions”, “Energy solutions”, “Water solutions”, “Comfort solutions” and “Installation & intelligence”, the 2026 fair featured a number of specialised product zones. These included the return of the Overseas Area, the German Area, the Canadian Pavilion, and the “Gas Wall-hung Boiler Industry G20 Products Section”, as well as the launch of the “40th Anniversary Achievement Exhibition of the Heating and Radiator Committee of the China Construction Metal Structure Association”. Together, these zones presented a wide range of technical innovations and solutions.
Exhibitor experiences:
“With its specialist focus and global resources, ISH China & CIHE is Asia’s leading platform for the heating supply chain. It allows us to showcase our expertise in clean heating, integrated solar-storage-thermal systems and solar heat pumps, while connecting us with international partners to boost our brand visibility. Over a decade of participation has helped us build lasting client relationships and deliver flagship projects across China, including Tesla's Gigafactory in Shanghai and several heating projects in Xizang and Xinjiang.”
Mr Zhang Liangliang, General Manager of Commercial Integrated Energy Technology Company, Micoe
“This is Bitzer’s third time exhibiting, though I have attended as a visitor for over ten editions. With more international brands committing to the show as exhibitors, the high cost-effectiveness of Chinese technology is increasingly evident. This healthy competition drives faster innovation, enabling all participants to grow in the market and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Over its 30 years, this show has amplified China’s heating industry moving from follower to front-runner, and Bitzer is ready to help define the global blueprint for zero-carbon heating.”
Mr Pang Zengqiang, Senior Sales Director of Sales & Marketing Department, Bitzer
“ISH China & CIHE is one of the country’s largest annual industry events. As an emerging company, our major goal in exhibiting was to raise our profile in the sector and demonstrate the smart‑heating products and solutions we have developed. The exhibition drew many visitors, and I was always busy presenting our technologies, discussing industry trends and exchanging insights with attendees. Overall, the event met our expectations and fulfilled our strategic objectives.”
Mr Ma Xiaolin, Chief Engineer, Jingwei Xintong
“We have seen ISH China & CIHE expand greatly since our first exhibit in 2014. For us, the standout factor – and the reason we keep returning – is the opportunity to meet key buyers in person, which digital channels alone cannot replicate. Having attended ISH shows in both China and Germany for many years, I remain convinced that there is no substitute for ISH when it comes to launching new products and building brand recognition.”
Mr Nazar Mukhammedov, Business Development Director, Gassero (Türkiye)
Professional visitor feedback:
“Visiting the fair for the first time, I was very impressed by the innovations and the Chinese companies I met. I came seeking high-quality products for the Pakistani market, such as heaters and connectors, and was pleased with the standards and attractive prices I found. I would be happy to return in the future."
Mr M Faisal Aslam, Managing Partner, The Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry; General Manager, MS Aslam Sons Trading Company (Pakistan)
“My primary goal at this show is to meet new contacts and suppliers, particularly for high‑quality pipes and air‑conditioners, while gaining insight into China’s latest technological advancements. I am identifying technologies that we can bring back to our home market and have already made several valuable connections. I am thoroughly enjoying the experience and would be delighted to attend again next year.”
Ms Martínez Roque Alianet, Supply Chain Manager, Refclim Company (Spain)
Uniting industry leaders to tackle key issues
The fair’s 2026 edition additionally featured over 60 concurrent events, covering topics such as new heating systems, heat pumps and renewable energy applications. Notable highlights included the “ISH China & CIHE Zero-Carbon Heating Forum – Building a New-Type Heating System” and “iHVAC – China and Europe Forum on Heat Pump Industry”. These sessions enabled industry associations and experts from China and abroad to share their knowledge, facilitating industry dialogue and driving further technological innovation.
Association representatives and guests’ thoughts:
“For three decades, this fair has followed the development of China’s heating sector from traditional systems to today's energy efficient solutions. It remains not only a premier networking platform for HVAC professionals, but also a benchmark industry event for Asia and beyond. Organised by the CDHA under the theme ‘Building a New-Type Heating System’, our forum brought together industry leaders, technical experts and manufacturers for productive dialogue and exchange. These discussions provided attendees with the practical insights needed to advance both their own businesses and the wider HVAC sector.”
Ms Liu Rong, Deputy Director-General of China District Heating Association (CDHA), Deputy Director of Heating Technology Specialised Committee
“2026 marks a double milestone, with the Heating and Radiator Committee of China Construction Metal Structure Association celebrating its 40th anniversary and ISH China & CIHE celebrating its 30th, reflecting nearly three decades of collaboration between our organisations. The 2026 show covered the entire industry supply chain: heat sources, transmission and distribution systems, and end-use applications such as heat pumps, new energy solutions, and radiators. We will continue to harness the exhibition's international standing to promote China's leading brands on the global stage.”
Mr Wu Huimin, Deputy Secretary-General, China Construction Metal Structure Association
“We hosted several heat pump-focused events, led by the China-Europe Forum on the Heat Pump Industry. These gatherings encouraged collaboration between the Chinese and European heat pump sectors while identifying emerging trends and new applications. ISH China & CIHE’s reputation ensured a substantial turnout of trade visitors and a productive networking environment. I also collaborated with the fair to guide an international media delegation to several leading brands, further increasing the global influence and visibility of China’s heat pump sector.”
Mr Zhao Hengyi, Vice Chief Supervisor of China Energy Conservation Association and Secretary General of China Heat Pump Alliance
“By bringing together leading companies, research institutes and industry leaders, the fair acts as a vital platform for aligning on key issues, exchanging cutting-edge technologies, and advancing industry standards. Moving forward, we will further leverage these product showcases and forums to encourage collaboration and the adoption of green technologies, ensuring the heating sector continues to advance toward greater efficiency, energy savings and low-carbon development.”
Mr Cai Xiangfeng, General Manager, Shanghai Industrial Boiler Research Institute Co Ltd
Jointly organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd and CIEC GL events (Beijing) International Exhibition Co Ltd, next edition of ISH China & CIHE will return from 12 – 14 May 2027. The series is headed by the biennial ISH event in Frankfurt, Germany, the world’s leading trade fair for HVAC + Water, which will take place from 15 – 19 March 2027. For more information, please visit www.ish.messefrankfurt.com.
For more information about ISH China & CIHE and a further ISH event in China, ISH Shanghai & CIHE – Shanghai International Trade Fair for Heating, Ventilation, Air-conditioning & Home Comfort System, please visit www.ishc-cihe.com.
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Background information on Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,700* people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 29 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2025 were around € 766* million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services.
Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability
With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
*Preliminary figures 2025
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