Hannover. With 4,000 exhibitors, AI as the top topic, and Canada as the partner country, HANNOVER MESSE aims to spread optimism – and provide answers to pressing questions facing global industry.

"A week of confidence awaits us," says Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe AG. "Yes, the challenges are manifold and have been sufficiently well expressed. However, too little is said about the strengths of German and European industry in innovation and technology, and in interaction with their global partners."

German products are gaining popularity worldwide. They receive top marks in the USA and China in particular – and the trend is rising, as recent studies show. "Our products are globally competitive," says Köckler. "But production in Germany and Europe is under pressure." High energy costs, a shortage of skilled workers and increasing regulation pose major challenges for the industrial sector. Solutions such as automation, artificial intelligence, and international cooperation are therefore coming into focus.

This is precisely where HANNOVER MESSE comes in: it will present innovations and technological solutions that support companies in successfully meeting these challenges. At the trade fair, around 4,000 companies from the engineering, electrical, and digital industries and the energy sector will be showcasing solutions for the production and energy supply of the future. From the use of AI to optimize production sequences to the automation of complex production processes, and the use of hydrogen as fuel for entire production facilities.

The exhibiting companies include international technology groups such as Amazon Web Services, Bosch, Google, Microsoft, Schneider Electric, and Siemens as well as medium-sized global players such as Beckhoff, Festo, Phoenix Contact, Rittal, Schaeffler, and SEW-EURODRIVE. Renowned research institutions such as Fraunhofer and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) will outline the industrial solutions of tomorrow, while more than 300 start-ups from various fields of technology will showcase innovations with disruptive potential.

AI for greater competitiveness

In the face of increasing competitive pressure, companies need solutions that directly increase productivity and efficiency – and the solution lies in AI.

Siemens will show off the further development of its Industrial Copilot: an AI assistant developed to support specialists in industry. It helps to simplify tasks such as writing control code or diagnosing machine errors. It communicates with the machine operator in natural language, thereby increasing productivity and making work easier.

The German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) will show how two robots autonomously disassemble different types of electric batteries, replace parts, and reassemble usable battery parts into new units. The demonstrator is a practical example of how old products can be automatically and cost-effectively dismantled and reassembled into new products.

In its presentation, the German start-up and AI prospect Aleph Alpha will demonstrate how business processes can become 30 percent more efficient with generative AI. Aleph Alpha will share its experience from numerous customer projects and their implementation in production.

"It is crucial that companies know how to integrate AI into their processes quickly and in a targeted manner. HANNOVER MESSE provides precisely these answers – with practical solutions, expert knowledge, and concrete application examples for immediate use," says Köckler.

Automation, digitalization, and robotics at your fingertips

At HANNOVER MESSE, the main focus will be on experiencing technology and its practical benefits. Visitors can experience live how modern technologies – from robotics to automation – make their production more efficient, sustainable, and competitive.

As an example, Köckler cites the Application Park, an entire exhibition area that demonstrates how modern robotics solutions can increase efficiency in production. Among other things, it will show how laser welding can be optimized using robots, and how the production of battery cells can be made more efficient and sustainable.

A project group of 11 companies and research institutions, including Bosch Rexroth, FANUC and Fraunhofer, will be demonstrating how the robot-assisted production of battery cells and packs for electric vehicles can be scaled and optimized.

Both production and battery recycling are becoming increasingly important in view of the growing demand for electric vehicles. The joint project shows how it will be possible to implement this successfully in Europe in the future.

Köckler emphasizes: "The application examples shown at HANNOVER MESSE will provide companies with valuable impetus to optimize their production processes – with the aim of manufacturing faster, more precisely, and with more efficient use of resources."

Hydrogen as a key technology: from electrolysis to refueling

HANNOVER MESSE will show how hydrogen can play a central role in the energy and mobility transition. In view of global climate targets and rising energy costs, the technology is increasingly becoming the focus of industry, politicians, and researchers. Numerous companies will be presenting innovative solutions at the trade fair – from electrolysis, storage, and transportation to applications in industry and mobility.

Bosch will present its PEM electrolysis stack, a key technology for the efficient production of green hydrogen. The stack is characterized by its high efficiency and converts electricity into hydrogen particularly effectively, so that less energy is lost.

Maximator will show its high-pressure technologies for hydrogen storage and refueling. These solutions enable the safe and efficient storage and rapid refueling of hydrogen, which is crucial for the expansion of hydrogen mobility and industrial applications.

Geopolitical framework requires decisive action

"Competitiveness also depends on a clear economic policy strategy," emphasizes Köckler. "In recent months, there has often been talk of geopolitical uncertainties. However, since the new U.S. president took office, this uncertainty has turned into ruthless clarity. The U.S.A. is consistently pursuing its 'America First' policy, while China is providing massive and targeted support for its industry."

For Europe and partners such as Canada, this year's partner country of the trade fair, it is time to move closer together and resolutely push ahead with a joint geopolitical and economic strategy.

"As a partner country of HANNOVER MESSE 2025, we are ready to build global partnerships and invite investors to experience our dynamic business environment and diverse talent. This event is a celebration of Canada's visionary technologies and our commitment to global innovation and sustainability," said François-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Finance.

"In the coming years, our trade fair will continue to gain in importance both as a technological innovation platform for European industry and its partners, and as a driving force for greater international cooperation," adds Köckler.

Against this backdrop, HANNOVER MESSE offers a wide range of forums and conferences that promote dialog between experts from industry, politicians, and academics, and provide valuable impetus for innovation and progress.

The Business Forum at HANNOVER MESSE will kick things off on the afternoon of March 30. This will address the crucial questions relating to global competition: What industrial policy course is the new EU Commission setting, and how can Europe secure its innovative strength? This discussion will feature the following participants, among others: Cedrik Neike, CEO Digital Industries at Siemens, Peter Leibinger, President of the Federation of German Industries (BDI), and Tanja Rückert, Chief Digital Officer and Managing Director at Robert Bosch GmbH.

The opening ceremony of HANNOVER MESSE will take place on the evening of March 30 – for the first time with a speaker from industry. Siemens CEO Roland Busch will give the keynote opening address, followed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and representatives of the partner country Canada, who will officially declare the trade fair open.

On the Tuesday of the trade fair, Plattform Industrie 4.0 will be hosting the Leaders' Dialogue – this time on the topic of data-driven industry. Blue-chip experts from politics, business, and science, including Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck, Claudia Nemat, Member of the Executive Board of Telekom AG, and Prof. Dr. Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, will discuss the future of data-driven industry – from AI to the industrial metaverse.

The FEMWORX career congress on Thursday and Friday will provide a major stage to women in industry. With 100 speakers, over 70 program points and 1,700 participants, the focus will be on strengthening and networking women in industry – with topics such as careers, new work, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Speakers on stage will include Nicole Büttner, founder and Managing Director of Merantix Momentum, Irene Bader, Board Member at DMG MORI, and Zarah Bruhn, founder of Social Bee.