As 163,150 visitors descended on Frankfurt last month to see the latest in bathroom and HVAC design and innovation, ISH 2025 did not disappoint – Emma Hedges presents her top 10 takeaways.
For 5 days in March, Frankfurt's exhibition grounds became the global hub for the sanitation, heating and air-conditioning industry as it came together under the strapline ‘Solutions for a Sustainable Future’. Among the 163,157 visitors from 150 countries were key decision-makers from industry and trade, the construction and housing sectors, as well as retailers, designers, planners, engineers and architects. The skilled trades accounted for a particularly high share, at around 30%. Most of the visitors came not only from Germany, but also China, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, France, the UK, Belgium, Poland, Austria and Turkey. In addition, 94% of visitors reported being satisfied or very satisfied with their experience at the fair. Satisfaction with the range of products and services on offer was equally high, with 96% giving positive feedback on the exhibitors’ presentations.
"The atmosphere at ISH 2025 was outstanding – the halls were buzzing, and the conversations were in-depth and forward-looking," said Wolfgang Marzin, president & CEO of Messe Frankfurt. "The industry is ready and willing to shape the future. ISH has reaffirmed its status as the world’s leading trade fair: 72% international exhibitors and 163,157 visitors speak for themselves."
With many of the stands embracing warm Mediterranean shades and earthy neutrals, exhibitors were pushing the boundaries when it came to sustainability, while offering innovative and interesting new takes on bathroom design.
Here are our top 10 product highlights from ISH 2025:
1. Octagon Washbasin – Villeroy & Boch
Minimalist on the outside but elaborate on the inside the Octagon surface-mounted washbasin features a precisely crafted geometric inner surface that forms a perfect octagon. Villeroy & Boch says it can be combined with its premium furniture collections such as Finion, but also co-ordinates with custom-made architectural solutions in natural stone or wood. The matt shades of Stone White and Pure Black work well in both classic and contemporary interiors. The compact 42cm outer diameter also makes Octagon the perfect statement piece for sensational guest bathrooms.
2. GROHE Purefoam – Grohe
Grohe was premiering its latest GROHE Aqua Intelligence innovation, GROHE Purefoam – shower technology that transforms specially crafted soap into a warm, weightless foam cloud that envelops users, creating a cocoon-like sensation unlike anything they’ve felt before. Users can choose from 5 Kinuami body soaps, each with an alluring fragrance. The soap cartridge is inserted directly into the device and can be changed quickly and easily. The foam technology is activated simply by pressing a button and features an auto-stop function with 5 preselectable durations, ranging from 4 to 15 seconds. For added convenience, the device comes with a rechargeable battery with charge indicator, and has a self-cleaning mode.
3. VOLTA washbasin – Laufen
Inspired by the fluidity of water and designed by Yves Béhar, the VOLTA washbasin features an organic, sculptural form that mimics the swirling motion of water and prolongs the moment the water leaves the tap and flows through the basin. Created using the world’s first electric tunnel kiln for sanitary ceramics, VOLTA marks a significant leap towards carbon-free manufacturing for Roca Group. This pioneering process drastically reduces carbon emissions, setting a new industry benchmark for environmentally responsible ceramic production. “Design accelerates the adoption of new ideas,” said Yves Béhar. “With the electric kiln, we harness the power of the sun to transform ceramic production, while our designs bring the beauty and movement of water into the home.”
4. Vitrium bathtub – Duravit
This new generously sized addition to Christian Werner's Vitrium bathroom range features a slightly offset, all-round edge that encloses it like a frame, while acting as a convenient shelf for oils, care products, candles, or a relaxing drink. It is made from DuroCast – the same satin-matt mineral material that is used in the collection's matching washbasins – and comes in 2 variants: a freestanding bathtub 1850 x 950mm, and a back-to-wall version 1850 x 950mm, optionally available with Air System. “Each element has a clear, practical purpose while retaining an aesthetic integrity. Consequently, the design is more than simply functional, it’s sensual and timeless,” said Werner, describing his design philosophy.
5. Gala vanity and washbasin – VitrA
VitrA was introducing its VitrA Grid portfolio planning concept at the show, which presents products in 3 price segments and offers maximum mix-and-match versatility. The segments consist of V1 (featuring well-designed essentials), V2 (offering a step up in design sophistication) and V3 (which offers the most sophisticated level in the Grid segmentation). Among the premium V3 products that are set to be launched is the new Gala vanity and bowl basins collection, which introduces spacious storage solutions enhanced with integrated LED lighting.
6. Ceralife C taps – Ideal Standard
Ideal Standard's Ceralife C features crisp, geometric lines with rounded edges for a bold, modern look. Engineered for maximum efficiency, these taps actively reduce CO₂ emissions, conserve water and energy, and minimise resource consumption, reflecting a steadfast commitment to environmentally responsible design. They are made from Diamatec brass, a durable alloy engineered to resist stress corrosion, enabling thinner wall designs that reduce raw material usage while maintaining strength. Available in Classic Chrome and Silk Black, they pair seamlessly with Ideal Standard’s Ceratherm shower systems, ensuring a cohesive, contemporary bathroom design.
7. Nuio Duo bathtub – Kaldewei
The new Nuio Duo designer bathtub, created by Stefan Diez, is said by Kaldewei to add elegance to any bathroom. The high-end Zen Edition includes an array of luxurious features for next-level bathing, including infrared heat, music, light alongside intuitive operation. The introduction of adjustable radiant heat will be a game changer for homeowners seeking to prolong and enhance the bathing experience, and is controlled via a modern LCD display panel with intuitive slider function showing the water temperature.
8. Tendo washbasin – Alape
Alape's stand, which was located alongside the Roca Group, was divided into 3 key areas – Innovation, Excellence and Enabler – with a highlight of the Excellence area being the new tilting Tendo basin. Designed to create a focal point in the bathroom space with its unique angled shape, the basin is available in 3 finishes: White, Black Matte and Dark Iron. Also on show were the company's Tricolor and Nib basins, as well as the new PVD-coloured basin, set to launch soon.
9. Balcoon bathroom range – Duravit
The Balcoon bathroom range from Patricia Urquiola for Duravit is said to combine simple geometries with timeless elegance and a natural colour palette. Designed to offer premium features and first-class finishing but at a medium price point, the collection consists of ceramic, furniture, faucets and bathtubs. “The design plays with differences in height, projections and the overlapping of materials and textures, from which the name 'Balcoon' is derived,” explains Urquiola. The ceramics are created in an earthy terracotta to look authentic and hand made, and also form the basis of the nature-inspired colour palette.
10. Salvia colour – Bette
Bette, the specialist for baths, shower trays and basins made of glazed titanium steel, is expanding its colour range with a new Key Colour: ‘Salvia’. The elegant sage green colour complements the existing selection of 30 Key Colours and offers designers, planners and end customers a contemporary option for creating calming and harmonious bathrooms. The company says the colour is an ideal match for current interior design trends that focus on naturalness and tranquillity.
