The 2025 Hannover Messe was characterized by three main aspects: a tech show, a business trade fair and a platform for economic and political dialog between partners. This year, positive signals are coming from the world's most important industrial fair: artificial intelligence, automation, digitalization and electrification are driving efficiency gains in industry. Strong impulses are also coming from the partner country Canada, which is actively expanding transatlantic cooperation in turbulent times.
„Hannover Messe 2025 was a powerful commitment to the future viability of industry in Germany and Europe, in close cooperation with its international partners,” says Dr. Jochen Köckler, CEO of Deutsche Messe. "In a global situation characterized by uncertainty, it more than lived up to its role as a tech show, business exhibition, and platform for economic policy dialog and international cooperation. Hannover Messe is the place where the analog world of machines is networked with digital intelligence, here, you can see how digitalization and AI are making industrial progress possible.”
Hannover Messe exhibitors see glimmer of hope
Around 127,000 visitors from 150 countries discussed with the 4,000 exhibiting companies how they can use AI profitably, automate their factories or use energy more efficiently. More than 40 percent of the visitors came from abroad. The most important visitor countries after Germany were China, the Netherlands, Canada, Poland, South Korea and Japan. “The exhibiting companies have impressively 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,” says Köckler.
Positive balance for exhibiting companies
Dr. Gunther Kegel, President of the ZVEI and Chairman of the Hannover Messe Exhibitor Council, adds the following on behalf of the exhibiting companies and partner associations: “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. 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 digitalization of industry. Hannover Messe will reflect this development in the coming years.”
Key topic: artificial intelligence in industry
The key topic of this year's trade fair was AI applications for industry. The exhibiting companies used specific examples to show how manufacturing companies can benefit from artificial intelligence. “AI has the potential to change industry more in just a few years than it has changed in the entire past decade,” explains Köckler, adding: “Through the targeted use of these technologies, small and medium-sized enterprises can also increase their efficiency, reduce costs, and significantly increase their competitiveness.” This is shown in concrete terms in a new study presented by the VDMA and the consulting firm “Strategy&” at the Hannover Messe. According to the study, the use of generative artificial intelligence can increase profit margins in mechanical and plant engineering by up to 10.7 percentage points.
Partner Country Canada: a dynamic player in global markets of the future
The Partner Country Canada made an impressive appearance at the Hannover Messe. The pioneering role of Canadian companies and institutions in key areas such as artificial intelligence, digitalization and renewable energies was particularly evident. The country's close cooperation with international partners and strong focus on sustainable technologies underscore its importance as a dynamic player in the global markets of the future.
Brazil to be Partner Country of Hannover Messe 2026
The next Hannover Messe will take place from April 20-24, 2026. With the appointment of Brazil as Partner Country, Hannover Messe reaffirms its commitment to driving industrial change towards a sustainable economy and further expanding its role as a global player in the field of renewable energies and sustainable technologies. Dr. Jochen Köckler emphasizes that Brazil is the ideal partner country for Hannover Messe 2026. Not only because of its global leadership in key technologies such as renewable energies and digitalization, but also because of its outstanding geopolitical importance. In a dynamically changing global economy, close cooperation with Brazil is of strategic importance. This combination makes Brazil an indispensable partner for Germany and Europe on the way to a sustainable and future-oriented industry.
