Industry plays a key role in the fight against climate change. High energy costs, disrupted supply chains and rising raw material prices are simultaneously presenting the economy with new challenges. In order to remain competitive, companies must take measures to increase efficiency and conserve resources, which in turn leads to a reduction in their_{carbon footprint}. "The pressure is on to recognize that the fight against climate change really is our all-encompassing issue," explained Dr. Jochen Köckler in Frankfurt. Competitiveness continues to be the decisive momentum. "We have identified the following mega-trends that will take center stage at Hannover Messe 2023: Industry 4.0,_CO2-neutral production, AI & machine learning, energy management as well as hydrogen and fuel cells."

The topic of Industry 4.0 has been the focus of Hannover Messe for almost 10 years now. "Today, it is clear to everyone that Hannover Messe has been able to provide valuable impetus and advance the topic." And so the Hannover Messe is also supporting the topic in terms of content in this year's edition - with the solutions presented by the exhibitors on the topics of machine learning, 5G or IoT, as at the Industry 4.0 conference stage.

"The issue of_CO2-neutral production is facing the industry, Germany and the world," said Köckler, summarizing the urgency. Negative reports on climate change can already be read in the news every other day, and this will continue for the next 20 years. "The path to climate-neutral production leads via Hanover," said Köckler. "There is a lot to discuss here, and we will do so - at the energy 4.0 conference stage."

Current topics AI and energy

The topic of AI and machine learning is also nothing new, but continues to be an efficiency driver in the industry and will therefore be the focus of attention at Hannover Messe 2023. "In addition to the optimization of processes, exhibitors are also focusing on AI in simulation, testing and product development," said Köckler. The same applies to the focus topic of energy management. Visitor interest is now high, the need for smart energy management, affordable energy and security of supply is huge, and this will also be considered accordingly at the Hannover Messe. In addition, the trade fair will once again offer the hydrogen community a platform to show how a global hydrogen economy can contribute to the decarbonization of the economy. At this year's Hannover Messe, 4,000 exhibitors are expected to demonstrate how different industrial ecosystems interlock and offer solutions for resource-efficient, climate-neutral and resilient production.

At the roundtable in Frankfurt, Bernd Neugart, Managing Director of Neugart and Chairman of the Board of the VDMA Drive Technology Association, Andreas Baumüller, Managing Director of Baumüller, Fabian Maurer, Managing Director of Ringspann, and Ernst Fritzemeier, Head of Technology at Ringspann, reported on new trends and technologies in drive technology. Dr. Steffen Haack, CEO of Bosch Rexroth and Chairman of the Executive Board of the VDMA Fluid Technology Association, Dr. Ansgar Kriwet, Member of the Executive Board of Festo, and Frank Seehausen, Vice President Global Engineering Machine Automation at Emerson Automation Solutions Aventics, presented news from the field of fluid technology.