BBG GROUP
ILA 2026
ILA Berlin 2026: Shaping the future of aerospace
At ILA Berlin, one of the world's leading trade shows for aerospace and defence, we showcased our production solutions for the industrial manufacturing of lightweight components to an international audience of industry professionals and gained valuable insights into current developments across the industry.
The many discussions with customers, partners and industry experts confirmed that demand for high-performance production solutions for aerospace and unmanned systems will continue to grow – in both civil and defence-related applications. At the same time, resilient supply chains and the ability to industrialise new technologies are becoming increasingly important.
At the joint exhibition stand of bavAIRia e.V., we presented a range of lightweight components for aerospace and unmanned aerial systems that are manufactured using production solutions developed and implemented by BBG.
Real components meet virtual production solutions
While the exhibited components demonstrated the results of successful manufacturing processes, our mixed reality application provided an immersive view of the production technology behind them. Visitors could interactively explore BBG production systems and experience how modern lightweight concepts are translated into industrial manufacturing.
From electric mold carriers and press systems to fully automated production lines, the virtual presentation offered practical insights into the technologies that enable the efficient industrial production of advanced aerospace components.
A highlight: The ultra-lightweight wing core
One of the main attractions at our stand was an ultra-lightweight wing core for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) based on expandable thermoplastic microspheres. The exhibit demonstrated the potential of advanced lightweight solutions for aerospace and unmanned systems. By significantly reducing weight, these concepts can help increase range, reduce energy consumption and improve overall system efficiency.
Successfully bringing such lightweight concepts into industrial production requires the right materials, tailored tooling and production solutions, as well as in-depth process expertise. Especially in the field of unmanned systems, the ability to efficiently scale up manufacturing and expand production capacity in line with demand will become an increasingly important competitive advantage.
With decades of experience in tooling, machinery and production systems, we support our customers in transforming innovative lightweight concepts into reliable, cost-effective and scalable manufacturing processes.
We were also pleased to welcome Dr. Florian Herrmann, Bavarian State Minister for Federal Affairs and Media, to our exhibition stand. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in industrialising new aerospace technologies and the growing importance of advanced lightweight solutions.
The growing importance of sustainable manufacturing
Discussions at ILA also highlighted that sustainability is increasingly being viewed from a broader perspective. In addition to the benefits of lightweight and energy-efficient products during their service life, the way these products are manufactured is becoming an increasingly important consideration.
Energy-efficient production systems, reduced resource consumption and the cost-effective scaling of new technologies are emerging as key factors for the competitiveness of the aerospace industry. With manufacturing-oriented tooling concepts, electric mold carriers and press systems, as well as tailored automation solutions, we help our customers manufacture lightweight components more sustainably and efficiently.
Collaboration: The key to future success
The discussions also underlined the importance of resilient supply chains and strong partnerships across Europe. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in this context. Their flexibility, specialised expertise and ability to translate innovation into industrial manufacturing are key factors in successfully bringing new technologies to market.
As an internationally operating partner for production solutions, we support our customers throughout the development and implementation of manufacturing solutions for demanding lightweight applications. Our involvement can begin at any stage of a project – from the production of initial demonstrators and the design of suitable manufacturing processes to industrialisation and production ramp-up.
Thank you for the inspiring conversations
We would like to thank everyone who visited our exhibition stand for the many engaging conversations, new connections and valuable insights.
Our special thanks also go to bavAIRia e.V. for organising the joint exhibition stand and giving us the opportunity to be part of this strong network of the Bavarian aerospace industry.
ILA Berlin 2026 once again demonstrated that the future of aerospace depends not only on innovative lightweight concepts, but also on the ability to bring them into efficient and sustainable industrial production. We look forward to continuing the conversations we started and working together on the next generation of manufacturing solutions.