Basis for the modernization of the industry

Under the motto Innovate Manufacturing., EMO stands for innovation, internationality, inspiration and the future of metalworking. "As a platform for dialogue between all international players in the industry - manufacturers and users alike - it is unique in the world, because nowhere else will guests encounter so much international expertise as at an EMO," says Dr. Markus Heering, Managing Director of EMO organizer VDW (German Machine Tool Builders' Association), with conviction. Around 1,500 exhibitors from 40 countries have currently registered for EMO 2025. Two years ago, the trade fair attracted around 92,000 trade visitors from almost 140 countries.

Like no other trade fair, EMO has been presenting the entire metalworking value chain for 50 years: from machine tools, production systems and additive processes to precision tools, automation, metrology, quality assurance, software and accessories. The target groups are the global drivers of industry: mechanical engineering, the automotive and aerospace industries, the metalworking and metal processing industries, medical technology, energy supply, the electronics industry and many more. "The EMO exhibitors' offer is the basis for the all-round modernization of the industry. After three years of recession and a major investment backlog, at least in this country, it offers plenty of impetus for investment in production with new developments and new solutions so that our customers can get off to a good start.

We can see a foretaste of this at the EMO Preview here in Frankfurt," says Heering. The EMO exhibitors are not only setting the pace technically. The trade fair also aims to provide orientation for the development of demand. At the EMO Economic Forum Made for Tomorrow - Discover what drives the future of manufacturing. on September 23, 2025 in Hanover, experts from the top customer industries in the metalworking sector will discuss how they see future developments.

EMO focuses on global megatrends

Industry worldwide is in the midst of a comprehensive transformation process. Similar challenges are emerging everywhere: Competition is intensifying. Investors are waiting. Costs are rising. The demand for sustainable products is increasing. At the same time, the ageing of society and the resulting increasing shortage of skilled workers is hampering progress in many places, while the integration of new technologies such as additive manufacturing and artificial intelligence requires continuous training. EMO 2025 addresses these challenges and focuses on three topics: automation, sustainability, digitalization and artificial intelligence.

Automation for greater efficiency in metalworking

Against the backdrop of high quality requirements and a shortage of skilled workers, automation is of central importance for the industry. Automation solutions increase efficiency and quality in the manufacturing process. They are one of the main drivers for investment and are offered in a wide variety of forms by many EMO exhibitors. Automation replaces manual activities and ensures greater transparency throughout the entire manufacturing process. It should be easy to operate, flexibly adaptable to the individual needs of the user and be able to be integrated into production from series to economical one-off production. Automation ranges from simple solutions such as pallet changers and handling systems to the use of robots and autonomous factories with self-propelled systems. In addition, automation also means supporting the machine operator, e.g. through assistance systems. A growing trend is the integration of secondary processes such as cleaning, labeling or measuring.

Sustainability for more climate protection

Many countries have committed to measures for more climate protection and investment in the green transformation of their industry. In companies, it is driven by legislators who demand numerous reporting obligations and customers who want to calculate their carbon footprint.

The focus of sustainability in production is on reducing energy and material consumption and introducing a circular economy. Experience has shown that investing in new machines saves around 25 percent of energy. This reduces the CO2 footprint. Many individual measures lead to the goal here. Modern electric motors and innovative drive technology save a considerable amount of electricity compared to the previous generation. Other levers are improved control technology, optimized design of compressed air and hydraulic applications or friction-minimized bearing and guide technology. Ancillary and downstream processes also play a major role here, e.g. the temperature control of cleaning baths during parts cleaning or the cooling of a machine.

The Sustainability Area in Hall 15 at EMO 2025 is the ideal meeting place to experience state-of-the-art solutions for the sustainable production of tomorrow. Here, exhibitors will provide information on trends in energy efficiency, the integration of renewable energies, the circular economy and life cycle concepts. They not only promote climate protection, but also reduce production costs in times of scarce energy and raw materials. "Together with others, the VDW was also involved at an early stage with the principles for calculating the CO2 footprint. This has resulted in a standardized sheet that is in extremely high demand among customers. Of course, we will also be presenting this in the Sustainablity Area," says Markus Heering.

Artificial intelligence and digitalization for higher productivity

Digitalization and networking have long been topics in production. Now artificial intelligence is being added. But there are still ways to use data to achieve higher productivity and set up new business models. Semiconductors allow users to make their production processes more intelligent by harnessing technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). They create transparency regarding the efficiency of production processes, enable real-time monitoring and control of machines and processes as well as predictive maintenance. The basic prerequisite for this is the use of open, standardized data interfaces. Machine manufacturers in many countries around the world are now familiar with the global umati (universal machine technology interface) initiative or have already joined it. umati will once again be demonstrating the benefits of standardized networking of machines in Hall 6 at EMO 2025, and this is of great interest to users from all over the world. This is why umati is also cooperating with all current international initiatives such as NC Link from China and mt connect from the USA.

In addition, digitalization and networking promote the individualization of products and adaptation to rapidly changing market requirements. With methods such as mass customization, companies can manufacture tailor-made products in small quantities without losing the efficiency of series production. The integration of data analysis and big data into production processes is important. By evaluating large volumes of data, production processes can be optimized, errors identified at an early stage and resources deployed more efficiently. This significantly increases competitiveness in the global market. At EMO 2025, the AI Hub@EMO 2025 in Hall 6 will offer investors from industry and administration practical demonstrations of the potential of artificial intelligence in production. Experts from the field of research will be on hand to provide information and answer detailed questions. "EMO exhibitors are invited to communicate their best practices and network with the AI Hub@EMO2025 so that visitors can get a complete picture of the future of production with artificial intelligence," says Heering. This is an opportunity for companies to position themselves in the market. The AI Hub will be complemented by the so-called P.O.P. Talks, which will take place daily at 2 p.m. at the central EMO lecture forum in Hall 12. The various aspects of AI in production will be highlighted and sometimes controversially discussed in different formats, in lectures, interviews or panel discussions. These include possible applications, data security, automation, political framework conditions for digitalization and much more.

Advanced manufacturing - the future of metalworking worldwide

The three focus topics are closely linked and describe the production of the future. Advanced manufacturing means automation, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 52 weeks a year, e.g. with the use of robots. The aim is to reduce costs, increase quality and compensate for staff shortages. Digitalization, in turn, is an enabler for automation. The integration of artificial intelligence into all areas of the company, such as HR, marketing, software development and ultimately production, is the next step. It ensures that machines are operated more efficiently and that production processes are made more sustainable on the basis of the data obtained. The focus is on energy and material efficiency as well as the circular economy. This in turn reduces costs and conserves resources.

Highlights of the EMO supporting program

Progress in all three fields is driving industrial production forward. They can stimulate investment and boost demand for production technology. "In order to be at the cutting edge together with exhibitors and visitors, we as EMO organizers are endeavouring to present the decisive factors for this at the trade fair," says Heering. This is reflected, among other things, in the Additive Manufacturing Area in Hall 12, where the latest applications in the field of additive manufacturing will be highlighted. With a view to the future and young talent, the Young Talent Foundation for Mechanical Engineering will play a decisive role with the special show on education in Hall 7 in order to strengthen the next generation of skilled workers for the challenges of tomorrow. Qualified training is the basis for the success of the industry. Through targeted support measures, it helps to ensure that the mechanical engineering industry remains innovative and competitive in the long term. With many fresh formats, the special education show demonstrates how training can be optimally aligned with the current requirements in technology, digitalization and artificial intelligence in companies. The Startup Area in Hall 6, where innovative young companies present their pioneering solutions, also pays tribute to this.

The EMO motto Innovate Manufacturing is therefore more than just a slogan. It is a call to suppliers and users to boldly exploit the possibilities of new technologies. The EMO offering will provide them with plenty of inspiration and new ideas. Both are the driving forces behind their commercial success.