ZukunftsForum Edelmetalle

ZukunftsForum Edelmetalle (Precious Metals Future Forum) debuted in March 2025 in Frankfurt, presenting a new, annual platform for professionals across the precious metals industry in the German-speaking region.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the conference, be it very last minute - taking the invitation Saturday and flying out on the Monday! It was very much worthwhile, lots of insights, some familiar faces and many leads generated for Bullion Agents as a platform.

It was conceived to address a longstanding gap: despite the DACH region’s major role in investment, processing, and recycling of gold, silver, and the platinum-group metals, there had been no dedicated event for stakeholders to gather, share ideas, and foster collaboration. By creating ZukunftsForum Edelmetalle, organisers Fragold Connect GmbH—founded by precious metals consultant Wolfgang Wrzesniok-Roßbach and marketing expert Corinna Schmitz—have ushered in a fresh era of industry-focused dialogue, with plans for conferences, networking opportunities, and a forthcoming trade journal, Gold & Weiss.

The First Conference

A gathering in Frankfurt took place on 23–25 March 2025 at Kap Europa Congress Center, turning Frankfurt into a hotspot for experts and enthusiasts. This two-and-a-half day programme combined keynote speeches, interactive panels, and an accompanying exhibition hall featuring major mints, refiners, financial institutions, and technology providers. From mining companies and bullion dealers to regulators and family offices, professionals from every link in the precious metals chain converged in one place, forging new connections and exchanging fresh perspectives.

Unlike many industry events, ZukunftsForum Edelmetalle sets a dedicated schedule for gold (its “Gold Day”) and for silver and PGMs (its “White Metals Day”). Finance and geopolitics take centre stage on the gold-focused sessions, while the industrial and technological applications of silver and PGMs dominate the white metals discussions. This thematic split allows participants to explore each segment of the market in depth without losing sight of the sector’s broader challenges and opportunities.

Insights from the 2025 Sessions

The first forum captured several convergent themes that look set to define precious metals in the years ahead:

• Gold’s Haven Role:

  
  

  Geopolitical tensions and shifting monetary policies have fuelled renewed interest in gold as a safe-haven asset, with central banks ramping up acquisitions. Analysts spoke of price targets way above $3,000 per ounce, citing continued inflationary pressures and ongoing demand from emerging-market institutions.

  
  

• Industrial Drivers for Silver and PGMs:

  
  

  Once overshadowed by gold, metals such as silver, platinum, and palladium are benefitting from rapid advances in green technologies. From solar panels and hydrogen fuel cells to electronics, these applications are projected to boost industrial demand, although supply constraints and geopolitical risks may lead to price volatility.

  
  

• Sustainability and ESG Compliance:

  
  

  Ongoing changes in EU mineral sourcing legislation underscore the need for transparent, responsible supply chains. Refiners and dealers now face more stringent reporting obligations, while miners emphasise ethical sourcing to maintain market access. Technological solutions—like blockchain-based traceability—featured prominently, demonstrating how the industry is moving towards higher sustainability standards.

  
  

• Investor Trends:

  
  

  Traditional investors, private banks, and family offices remain strong buyers of physical metals, while younger cohorts eye digital gold and fintech-driven solutions. This duality has prompted new products that blend the tangibility of bullion with the convenience of online trading, reflecting how precious metals firms are adapting to shifting demographic and technological preferences.

  
  

• Supply Constraints:

  
  

  Several speakers addressed concerns around mine depletion and geopolitically restricted reserves, highlighting that recycling alone may not satisfy soaring demand in future decades. This prospect pushes the industry to examine domestic and alternative sources, step up investment in exploration, and strengthen partnerships across borders to shore up strategic access.

Networking and Collaboration

Beyond the insights gleaned in formal sessions, ZukunftsForum Edelmetalle set itself apart through creative networking opportunities—cocktail receptions, a gala dinner at Frankfurt’s Senckenberg Museum, and even a field trip to a historic mine. These social and educational elements allowed participants to form relationships, share knowledge, and see first-hand the realities of mining and ore processing.

Crucially, collaboration among stakeholders emerged as a dominant message. Companies, regulators, and investors alike agreed that open dialogue fosters trust, efficiency, and a stronger voice when addressing policy challenges. By connecting these diverse groups, ZukunftsForum Edelmetalle is helping to unify the sector around best practices, knowledge exchange, and practical strategies for navigating future challenges.

A Must-Attend for the Precious Metals Community

ZukunftsForum Edelmetalle will take place annually in late March or early April, returning to Frankfurt in March 2026. From technical talks on greener refining processes to panels exploring the investment case for “white metals,” each session provides actionable insights for miners, refiners, banks, asset managers, policymakers, and researchers. With the addition of Fragold Connect’s magazine Gold & Weiss, the conversation now extends beyond conference halls into year-round publishing and discussion.

In an environment where geopolitics, innovation, and regulations can shift markets overnight, staying informed is essential.

ZukunftsForum Edelmetalle brings the entire value chain together to do exactly that—equipping attendees with a forward-looking view of precious metals and forging a community that can adapt to the changes shaping gold, silver, and PGMs. It is a vital gathering for anyone invested in these materials’ future, whether through funding, technology, policy, or personal interest.

Who knows if AI starts to weave into the industry you might find me on stage one day! If you are in the industry and didnt attend this year, be sure to in 2026.