Electrical and mechanical drive technology as well as hydraulic and pneumatic fluid technology components and systems form the backbone of modern automation architectures. They supply motion, energy and data and are an integral part of many Industry 4.0 applications.

"The thematic focus of the Hannover Messe puts the spotlight on industrial automation and offers drive and fluid technology a suitable environment to showcase its performance and system relevance. Our technologies are key intelligent building blocks for efficient, networked and future-proof AI-integrated production processes and are therefore an important part of the overall industrial ecosystem," emphasizes Hartmut Rauen, Deputy Managing Director of VDMA e.V.

Hall 13/E36: VDMA central stand

The VDMA stand serves as a central point of contact for exchanging information on trends and developments in mechanical and plant engineering in general as well as on specialist issues. Experts from the Drive Technology, Fluid Power and Electrical Automation associations will be on hand to discuss digitalization, sustainability, research, standardization and technical topics - together with the team from the Foreign Trade department, Manufacturing-X and contacts for the Security and Defence Industry.

Hall 13/C24: Fluid 4.0

At the joint stand of the Industry 4.0 platform, the Fluid 4.0 joint project will present application examples and use cases for digitalization in fluid technology. These include live demonstrators on energy efficiency, data integration, control and monitoring of fluid technology systems and the circular economy.

Hall 26/E98: Defense Production Area

With the Defense Production Area, Hannover Messe 2026 offers a dedicated area for production technologies in the defense sector. It will showcase solutions for flexible, scalable and resilient manufacturing processes - from automation and digitalization, data integration and traceability to IT/OT security and AI-supported quality assurance.

Additional prospects are opening up for drive and fluid technology in the defense-related environment. In view of an estimated European market size of around EUR 100 billion in the defense sector, there is market potential of around 5 to 10% for both sectors as key suppliers. Annual growth of almost 2% seems possible up to 2030. Both industries contribute their technological expertise where industrial reliability and high security-relevant requirements are in demand.

The vast majority of companies in these sectors rate the current business situation in the defence environment as good or very good and expect even better business development in the near future. The new exhibition area thus creates additional points of contact for technology-oriented companies and combines classic industrial applications with security-critical production requirements.

International market perspectives: Partner country Brazil

With Brazil as a partner country, the trade fair is focusing on an important growth market for mechanical and plant engineering. Brazil is also becoming increasingly important for drive and fluid technology: German exports recently rose to EUR 325 million in drive technology (+10.1% compared to 2024; by comparison: 2021: EUR 247 million) and to EUR 178 million in fluid technology (+6.5% and rising steadily since 2020). Both sectors are therefore among the fastest-growing delivery segments to Brazil.

Since 2013, the VDMA has been supporting its member companies with its Brazil representative office in opening up new markets, cooperations and exchanges on industry-specific developments. The head of the office in São Paulo will be present at the Hannover Messe.

Economic outlook for drive and fluid technology

Drive and fluid technology continues to be one of the strongest export sectors in mechanical engineering, even if the 2025 financial year was weaker:

Drive technology generated estimated sales of €17.6 billion in Germany (-2% in nominal terms compared to 2024). Nominal sales growth of +3% is expected for 2026.

Fluid technology achieved sales of € 8.3 billion in 2025 (-2% compared to 2024), of which € 5.3 billion in hydraulics (-3%) and € 3.0 billion in pneumatics (-2%). The forecast for 2026 also predicts nominal growth of +3% across all sub-segments.

Like many other industries, both sectors are influenced by global uncertainties and a persistently challenging market environment. The high global trade share of around 20% in drive and fluid technology, which has remained unchanged for ten years, confirms Germany's international importance as the leading export nation in first place ahead of China, the USA and Japan. "However, technology leadership would offer significantly greater potential for value creation in Germany if the framework conditions were better," says Hartmut Rauen.

Hannover Messe 2026, Hall 13, Stand E36/1-2