From the digitalisation and automation of complex production processes and the use of hydrogen to power factories and the use of software to register and reduce carbon footprints, the world’s premier trade fair Hannover Messe offers a holistic picture. With the lead theme ‘Industrial Transformation – Making the Difference’, the event is hosted in Hannover, Germany from April 17 to 21, 2023 complemented by a series of conferences and forums.

“Carbon-neutral production, artificial intelligence, hydrogen technologies, energy management and Industry 4.0 are the overarching themes of Hannover Messe 2023,” says Dr Jochen Köckler, Chairman of the managing board of the Deutsche Messe group of companies. “Only the interplay of these technologies will make it possible to sustainably safeguard our prosperity and at the same time drive climate protection forward.”

Around 4,000 companies from the mechanical engineering, electrical and digital industries as well as the energy sector will showcase solutions for production and the energy supply of the future. The exhibiting companies include global tech corporations such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Google, SAP, Siemens, Bosch, NOKIA, ServiceNow and Schneider Electric, as well as medium-sized technology leaders like Beckhoff, Festo, Harting, ifm, Pepperl+Fuchs, Phoenix Contact, Rittal and SEW. Renowned research institutes such as Fraunhofer or the KIT (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) as well as more than 300 startups promise cutting-edge technologies and completely new business models. “Approaches to solutions for each of the current global challenges will be on display at Hannover Messe,” Köckler assures.

Indonesia is the partner country at the industrial fair. Hannover Messe will be inaugurated by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the Hanover Fairground. Manufacturing X and Industry 4.0

In the era of digitisation, data becomes the new fuel. To tap the full potential of Industry 4.0, a large amount of data is required that can be accessed by all companies involved in the value creation chain. One such new interconnected data ecosystem is Manufacturing X. This vision of a sovereign and secure data platform is being driven forward by the industry associations BDI, VDMA and ZVEI, among others.

The first steps towards implementing Manufacturing X will be presented at Hannover Messe in cooperation with the German Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. “The aim is to preserve the independence of companies. They should not lose access to the customer interface, but they also need to tap the potential of the platform economy,” tells Köckler.

Generative AI, finding ways to industries
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a necessity for industries. In addition to optimising processes, the manufacturing industry is increasingly relying on AI in simulation and product development. With this, generative AI will also find its way into the industry. Systems such as ChatGPT or DALL-E support text generation, programming and design. On the subject of AI, Hannover Messe offers a comprehensive range of visitor tours, forums and presentations of AI tools and use cases from exhibitors.

“In the future, it is quite conceivable that AI will design a machine and the human will then check which adjustments are necessary for real operation. This saves time and offers considerable potential in view of the prevailing shortage of skilled workers,” says Köckler.

Smart energy monitoring solutions
“Most industrial users are still hardly aware of the numerous hidden forms of consumption,” tells Köckler. The interaction between software and machines creates considerable energy-saving potential. Hannover Messe exhibitors are also providing smart energy monitoring solutions to identify and optimise energy consumption at the machine level, thereby reducing the carbon footprint. "Industry consumes around 45 per cent of the electricity in Germany. The solutions presented by the exhibiting companies can make an important contribution to a significant increase in energy efficiency in the production realm," he adds.

Unregulated motors in pumps, fans, compressors or machines are still part of everyday life in many factories. Without intelligent control technology and the interaction of electrical engineering and IT, energy efficiency improvements are scarcely feasible.

Sustainable hopes with Hydrogen as an energy source
Green hydrogen can free up from dependence on fossil energy and reduce carbon emissions. It is at rage right now and industries are looking to make it in more use. Meanwhile, the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection describes hydrogen as a key energy carrier that is essential for the long-term success of the energy transition and climate protection. Still, it is a challenging task to produce hydrogen as it is a complex and expensive process. Moreover, the questions of availability, transport and large-scale storage are still needed to be resolved.

“More than 500 companies at Hannover Messe will be showcasing solutions for the use of hydrogen in industry. This makes Hannover the world's most important and largest platform covering hydrogen themes,” says Köckler. Users from industry and political decision-makers can get a holistic picture of the potential of this energy carrier in Hannover and see the course that needs to be set on the road to a hydrogen-based industry.

Promoting young talent
With the Your Future initiative, Hannover Messe and its partners have developed a new concept aimed primarily at graduating classes, students and young professionals. Hannover Messe offers them a central discussion platform as well as guided tours taking them to interested exhibitors.With the Your Future initiative, Hannover Messe and its partners have developed a new concept aimed primarily at graduating classes, students and young professionals. Hannover Messe offers them a central discussion platform as well as guided tours taking them to interested exhibitors.

WomenPower Career Congress
The WomenPower Career Congress is one of the most successful networking and discussion events for women for diversity, career advancement, sustainability and new working environments. The congress is held annually as part of Hannover Messe and is primarily aimed at participants from the STEM sector. This year the session follows the theme ‘Celebrate Diversity’.

In addition to the program of lectures, panel discussions and workshops, WomenPower offers companies, associations, networks, organisations and trainers the opportunity to find out about career prospects, studies, coaching and mentoring services, and other labour policy topics and trends in the accompanying exposition.

Indonesia - partner country
Indonesia, the largest economic power in the ASEAN region, is appearing as the partner country at Hannover Messe 2023. Their motto “Making Indonesia 4.0” aims to make the country one of the ten largest economies in the world by the year 2030. Renewable energies are expected to account for some 51.6 per cent of total electricity generation by then. At Hannover Messe, this up-and-coming nation is presenting itself as a reliable partner for companies across the globe.

The list of challenges industries are facing is long - climate change, energy shortages, disrupted supply chains and a shortage of skilled labour. The solution to these challenges lies in the targeted use of technology. At the same time, governments need to get their economic policy right. Hannover Messe 2023 covers not only technologies for connected, climate-neutral industries, but also provides a forum for a global policy discussion among industry, government, science and social representatives. Sectors such as automation, motion and drives, digital ecosystems, energy solutions, engineered parts & solutions, future hubs, compressed air & vacuum and global business & markets will be on display during the exhibition.

The key topics include CO2-neutral production, energy management, Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and hydrogen and fuel cells. The event serves as an important platform for everyone including industrialists, and the government. With its aims to focus on the issues like sustainable development, climate change and clean energy fuel, it serves as a significant mark in environmental development as well. The coming three days event in April can turn a remarkable future for manufacturing industries and a part of society as a whole.