HIT at IBF 2025
The International Business Forum (IBF) aims at connecting ITER and industry. The 2025 edition of IBF was held on 23-25 April 2025 in Marseille, France. HIT was proudly present at this eighth edition of IBF, which attracted a record attendance: 1,200 participants representing 630 companies.
Figure 1 Opening session of IBF/25 with delegates from all ITER Domestic Agencies
During 3 days, IBF contained several sessions with 100 guest speakers from thirty different countries covering a wide range of fusion disciplines, giving overviews about the ITER development and procurement status.
In his opening speech, ITER Director Pietro Barabaschi highlighted the recent changes that were made in the organization, changes in the schedule, and the repairs that were made to the various vacuum vessel sectors. There is a new can-do spirit at ITER. In 2024, ITER set a new record by performing better than scheduled.
Figure 2 HIT director Cock Heemskerk at the Dutch stand in the exhibition
There was ample room for networking opportunities. HIT participated in the Dutch stand at the exhibition, which attracted interested visitors from Europe, Japan and China. HIT also participated in the BtoB meetings, which helped to get acquainted with potential new European partners. And in the thematic session on Machine Assembly and Remote Handling, HIT presented its experience as SME, working through industrial partners and directly with IO and F4E.