Creating tomorrow's industry together

How will the industry transform itself in the coming years? It is the question on which Hannover Messe, which takes place from 30 May to 2 June, will shed its light. Indeed, the industry will be there to showcase its technologies and ideas for the factories, energy systems and supply chains of the future.

“The industry is at a tipping point,” opens Dr Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe. “The effects of climate change are making themselves felt ever more clearly. Also close to us. Just think back to the terrible rainfall this summer. At the same time, we are still struggling with interrupted supply chains and energy prices swinging out of control, partly due to the corona pandemic and the conflict in Ukraine. It is between these often opposite macroeconomic evolutions that we need to strike a balance. If we want to secure the supply of raw materials and fight global warming, we will have to invest in new technology faster than ever. It makes the Hannover Messe more relevant than ever.” 

Industrial transformation central theme

So it should come as no surprise that industrial transformation will be the main theme of this edition. Two areas will receive extra attention. “Green energy and hydrogen will play a key role in fulfilling climate ambitions. A topic, which has been playing a role at our fair for years, but which gets a bigger focus today. More than 200 companies on our show floor will offer very concrete technological solutions around this that can help visitors achieve greater sustainability.” In addition, the themes of digitisation and automation are increasingly being supplemented by artificial intelligence. “Ten years ago, the term industry 4.0 was launched with us. It was the starting point for the implementation of cyber-physical systems in production. Only through that approach, through continuous learning and optimisation, can we achieve the efficiency level to become carbon neutral. Those technologies will also get a forum here.” For example, the fair has its own 5G network to show what becomes possible when we can exchange data faster and on a larger scale. But the fair's carbon footprint will also be tracked.

Portugal as host country

The nearly 3,000 exhibitors, from tech giants to family businesses and even start-ups, are eager to get back to live encounters with visitors on the Hannover Messe show floor after a two-year absence. “Everyone is longing for ‘normal’ again. Yet we are not throwing away everything from the past virtual edition. We have learned from our digital format what works and what does not work. Our digital platform can be an excellent complement to a physical trade fair visit or a good alternative for those who do not get to the fair due to corona restrictions, for example,” Köckler adds. China, for example, will not be represented. However, additional exhibitors and visitors are expected from Portugal, the host country for this edition. “They too bring solutions that fit perfectly within the themes of digitalisation, green energy and sustainability.” 

Technology for greater collaboration

We also leave the final word to Dr Köckler. “The Hannover Messe attracts visitors from all over the world. They want to find out what the innovations of the moment are that can best take their production to the next level. Since corona, we are increasingly choosing partners and suppliers closer to home in this respect. So let us use this edition to flex our muscles and show how technology can ensure sustainability and international cooperation.”