INDUSTRY NEWS
Hannover Messe highlights industrial transformation
Under the main theme of“ Industrial Transformation”, Hannover Messe 2025( the global industrial trade show) highlighted advances in artificial intelligence( AI), automation, digitalisation and electrification from 31 March – 4 April 2025. A conference programme with around 1,600 speakers complemented the exhibition in Germany. The trade show’ s Partner Country was Canada.
“ Around 127,000 visitors from 150 countries exchanged ideas with the 4,000 exhibiting companies on how they could use AI profitably, automate their factories or become more energy-efficient. More than 40 per cent of visitors came from overseas. The most important attendee countries after Germany were China; the Netherlands; Canada; Poland; South Korea and Japan,” said show organiser, Deutsche Messe AG.“ Exhibiting companies impressively demonstrated that, technologically, we hold all the cards for competitive, sustainable and innovative production in Germany and Europe. The trade fair provided industry with orientation and gave it a boost in what really are challenging times. In many conversations, exhibitors reported a burgeoning confidence that now needs to be consolidated,” said Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe AG.
“ However, industry also needs positive signals from Berlin and Brussels by consistently eliminating red tape, setting out a strong and coordinated European industrial policy with new free trade agreements, and establishing reliable general conditions for investment, innovation and energy supply. Only if politicians and industry act together can Europe secure and systematically expand its competitiveness,” cautioned Köckler.
AI and energy supply
The number one topic at this year’ s trade fair concerned AI applications for industry.
“ AI has the potential to change industry more in just a few years than it has changed in the entire past decade,” explained Köckler. The exhibiting companies used specific examples to show how manufacturing companies can benefit from artificial intelligence.“ Through the targeted use of
Tour with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Siemens’ stand at Hannover Messe 2025.
these technologies, small and mediumsized enterprises can also increase their efficiency, reduce costs and significantly increase their competitiveness,” he added.
A new study presented at Hannover Messe by the VDMA and consulting firm, Strategy &, shows this in concrete terms. According to the study, the use of generative artificial intelligence can increase the profit margin in mechanical and plant engineering by up to 10.7 percentage points.
In the energy halls at the trade fair, everything revolved around efficiency and sustainability. Hydrogen played a prominent role in this. In Hall 13, around 300 companies presented their latest developments and applications in hydrogen and fuel cells on the“ Hydrogen + Fuel Cells EUROPE” stands.
Partner Country Canada
Partner Country Canada highlighted the innovative role of Canadian companies and institutions in key areas such as artificial intelligence, digitalisation and renewable energies.
“ We have brought the most impressive Canadian delegation ever to attend an industrial [ trade show ]. Over 500 Canadian exhibitors and delegates from start-ups to large corporations leveraged the access to German, European and international companies to expand their international footprint. In addition, Canadian innovators, researchers, academics and business development organisations showcased Canada’ s talent and technology solutions for a global audience,” said Stéphane Dion, Special Envoy to the European Union and Europe and Canada’ s Head of Delegation at Hannover Messe 2025.
The next edition of Hannover Messe will take place in Hanover, Germany, from 20-24 April 2026. Brazil will be the Partner Country. n
www. hannovermesse. de / en
16 | ismr. net | ISMR June 2025