Hannover Messe — a melting pot of innovation and discussion

Hannover Messe 2025, which took place 31 March to 4 April, has been hailed as a great success, with artificial intelligence (AI), automation, digitalisation, and electrification the main topics up for discussion at the annual event.

Deutsche Messe AG CEO Dr Jochen Köckler said: “Hannover Messe 2025 represented a powerful commitment to the future viability of industry in Germany and Europe — in close cooperation with international partners. In a backdrop characterised by global uncertainty, it more than lived up to its role as a tech show, business exhibition, and platform for economic policy dialogue and international cooperation. Hannover Messe is the place where the analogue world of machines is networked with digital intelligence — here, you can see how digitalisation and AI are making industrial progress possible.”

Around 127,000 visitors from 150 countries exchanged ideas with the 4,000 exhibiting companies on how they can use AI profitably, automate their factories, or become more energy efficient. Furthermore, over 40% of visitors came from abroad. The most important attendee countries after Germany were China, the Netherlands, Canada, Poland, South Korea, and Japan.

Burgeoning confidence
Dr Köckler continued: “The exhibiting companies have demonstrated that, technologically, we hold all the cards for competitive, sustainable and innovative production in Germany and Europe. The trade fair has provided industry with orientation and given it a boost — in what really are challenging times. In many conversations, exhibitors reported a burgeoning confidence that now needs to be consolidated.”

At the same time, Hannover Messe was a week of clear political signals. Dr Köckler continued: “Industry needs positive signals from Berlin and Brussels by consistently reducing 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.”

Industrial innovation
The exhibiting companies and partner associations were also positive. Dr Gunther Kegel, president of the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (ZVEI) and chairman of the Hannover Messe exhibitors’ advisory board, said: “Hannover Messe has once again shown that it is the most important platform for industrial innovation. AI in industrial applications was of particular interest to visitors, especially those from abroad.

He said: “This shows that German industry can continue to offer a global orientation in times of technological change. Our companies are leaders in Industrie 4.0, and we are convinced that we can further expand this very good starting position. Industrial AI is a new growth area that will continue to drive the automation and digitalisation of industry. Hannover Messe will reflect this development in the coming years.”

Thilo Brodtmann, managing director of the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA), said: “This year’s Hannover Messe has shown in particular how important good partnerships and open markets are for an export and innovation-driven industry such as machine building and plant engineering.

“The willingness of host country Canada to deepen trade with Europe is welcome and encouraging news in a world increasingly characterised by trade disputes and tarrifs. In order to master the major tasks that lie ahead of us, we need innovations such as those impressively demonstrated in all halls at the event. This year, Hannover Messe also sent a particularly strong economic policy signal to Berlin — the industrial sector urgently needs a location upgrade in order to continue demonstrating its innovative strength in Germany.”

The number one topic at this year’s trade fair concerned AI applications for industry. Dr Köckler continued: “AI has the potential to change industry more in just a few years than it has changed in the entire past decade. The exhibiting companies used specific examples to show how manufacturing companies can benefit from AI. Through the targeted use of these technologies, small and medium-size enterprises can also increase their efficiency, reduce costs, and significantly increase their competitiveness.”

A new study presented at Hannover Messe by the VDMA and the consulting firm Strategy& demonstrated this by showing that use of generative AI can increase the profit margin in mechanical and plant engineering by up to 10.7%.

In the energy halls at Hannover Messe, everything revolved around efficiency and sustainability. Hydrogen played a prominent role in this. In Hall 13 alone, around 300 companies presented their latest developments and applications in the field of hydrogen and fuel cells.

Sustainable technologies
Partner country Canada showcased the innovative role of Canadian companies and institutions in key areas such as AI, digitalisation and renewable energy. The close cooperation with international partners and the strong focus on sustainable technologies underlines Canada’s importance as a leading player in the global markets of the future.

Stéphane Dion, special envoy to the EU and Europe and Canada’s head of delegation at Hannover Messe 2025, said: “Canada’s partner country year at Hannover Messe 2025 was a resounding success and significantly advanced our market diversification goals, as Canada continues its efforts to grow its presence in the German and European markets. We have brought the most impressive Canadian delegation ever to attend an industrial fair. Over 500 Canadian exhibitors and delegates from startups to large corporations took part 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. Canada is excited to play a pivotal role, with Germans and Europeans, in shaping a future that is ‘green’, digital and resilient. We look forward to continued collaboration and growth across borders.”

Hannover Messe is recognised as the world’s leading trade fair for industry. Under the lead theme of ‘Industrial Transformation’, more than 4,000 exhibiting companies from the mechanical engineering, electrical and digital industry as well as the energy sector come together to present solutions for the production and energy supply of today and tomorrow.

The main exhibition areas in 2025 were ‘Smart Manufacturing’, ‘Digital Ecosystems’, ‘Energy for Industry, Compressed Air & Vacuum Technology’, ‘Engineered Parts & Solutions’, ‘Future Hub’, and ‘International Trade & Investment’. Hannover Messe also featured a high-quality onference programme with around 1,600 speakers taking part.

The next edition of the show will take place in Hannover from 20 to 24 April 2026 and Brazil has been confirmed as the partner country. For more information visit the website here.