Future-proof through innovation

Every year, the Hannover Messe promotes the industry's forward-looking topics. What are Schneider Electric's future topics this year?

In line with this year's event theme "Shaping the Future with Technology", Schneider Electric will illustrate how we are driving industrial competitiveness, efficiency and resilience by connecting industrial ecosystems through open, software-defined automation, digitalization and electrification. Visitors to our booth will be accompanied by subject matter experts and introduced to a digitally connected food and beverage ecosystem and its integrated value chains, from sustainably produced food to automated production and control to eco-friendly packaging.

As visitors make their way through the circular manufacturing campus, they will discover how open, software-defined automation, data-driven solutions and advanced technologies through AI are delivering better results every day. HM 2025 will offer industry professionals an exclusive opportunity to experience our vision for the future of automation and gain valuable insights into the next generation of automation technology.

Which of these will you be presenting at the trade fair?

At the show, we will present our innovations for 2025 and unveil groundbreaking advances in automation technology that will redefine industry standards. We reaffirm our commitment to open, software-defined automation and will present the next steps in our vision and journey with EcoStruxure Automation Expert - the open automation solution for discrete, hybrid and continuous industrial processes based on the principles of universal automation.

We will demonstrate how we continue to promote innovative next-generation automation and drive solutions that simplify complexity, improve system performance and create open interfaces for the seamless integration of innovative software solutions. This includes a future-proof, unified I/O solution designed for data aggregation within a single I/O family. It integrates seamlessly with our platforms, providing unparalleled interoperability and efficiency while addressing all industrial I/O requirements through open IP Ethernet protocols, advanced cybersecurity measures and an optimized design for improved efficiency, flexibility, sustainability and profitability. We will also introduce the Altivar Process ATV6100, a drive system that enables process optimization, energy management improvements and asset management, contributing to energy efficiency and a lower carbon footprint. It offers a reduction in overall costs of up to 20%, an increase in operational effectiveness of up to 10% and saves up to 40% space. Together with AVEVA, we will continue to promote the importance of data-driven solutions in achieving operational excellence and demonstrate how we are integrating AI into our solutions.

Artificial intelligence is currently affecting almost all industries and has become an important economic factor. What goals have you set yourself in this area?

At Schneider Electric, we use AI to improve every level of industrial automation. We continue to evolve our solutions to meet our customers' needs with improved functionality and performance.
When it comes to AI, automation has created the framework by optimizing processes, generating valuable data and increasing operational efficiency. This allows AI to focus on more complex decision making, including analyzing and identifying patterns, making predictions and improving processes. This combination of AI and automation leads to intelligent automation, where machines not only perform tasks, but also learn and adapt over time to increase their performance.

Our AI-driven offerings enable autonomous industrial automation systems that increase operational efficiency and reliability. By integrating advanced simulation capabilities, we enable companies to achieve the first levels of autonomy to optimize processes and make informed decisions.

At Hannover Messe 2025, we will showcase AI-powered innovations, including the integration of EcoStruxure Automation Expert for real-time vision quality inspection in the packaging industry and a generative AI tool developed in collaboration with Microsoft. This tool helps engineers to quickly create high-quality, validated codes for PLCs and generate comprehensive applications with support.

Sustainability has always been an important topic at Schneider Electric. How can energy management contribute to this?

Energy management makes a significant contribution to sustainability by reducing energy consumption, which in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions. It also improves operational efficiency, optimizes processes and reduces waste.

At Schneider Electric, we offer a wide range of innovative technologies and software solutions that enable companies to monitor, control and optimize their energy consumption. These include smart meters, energy management software and automation systems. By leveraging IoT and digital technologies, we integrate advanced analytics and artificial intelligence into our solutions to help our customers gain valuable insights into their energy and resource consumption, identify inefficiencies and make data-driven decisions.

Connecting different industrial ecosystems is a challenging but important task - in terms of sustainability and productivity. How can Schneider Electric support its customers in this?

With 20 years of experience with and for sustainability, we recognize that sustainability and productivity go hand in hand. We support our clients in using sustainable methods for economic growth without jeopardizing the future of our planet.

The introduction of sustainable measures can lead to significant cost savings. For example, energy efficiency lowers energy costs, while lean production methods minimize waste, reducing costs and environmental impact. Investing in sustainable technologies encourages innovation and enables manufacturers to develop new products and increase profitability.

In addition, the shift towards a circular economy - recycling materials and reusing by-products - opens up new markets and business models, such as product-as-a-service, creating new and recurring revenue streams. Sustainability can also help mitigate the risks of supply chain disruptions by promoting responsible sourcing and thus increasing resilience to volatile markets.

As consumers become more environmentally conscious, they are increasingly favoring brands that prioritize sustainability. Regulatory pressure is also forcing companies to operate in a more environmentally friendly way, making sustainability a key factor in competitiveness.
A strong commitment to sustainability can also strengthen a company's brand and culture and attract younger talent who are keen to work for responsible companies. By integrating sustainability into their core strategies, manufacturers can thrive in a changing market while making a positive impact on the environment. Ultimately, companies that are committed to sustainability will fulfill their social responsibility and be able to succeed in the long term.

Where else do you focus on sustainability? Nutrition is another keyword here.

Schneider Electric is an impact company. Sustainability is at the heart of our goals, our culture and our business, and we want to further accelerate our contribution to a sustainable and inclusive world. For us, sustainability encompasses environmental, social and corporate governance.

In 2005, we were the first to monitor our impact on people, the environment and profit with an industry-leading sustainability barometer. Over the past 20 years, we have saved our customers 120 million tons of CO2 emissions and provided energy access to around 30 million people. And in 2025, Schneider Electric was recognized by Corporate Knights as the world's most sustainable company in the Global 100 ranking - we are the only company to receive this award twice.

The Schneider Sustainability Impact (SSI) 2021-2025 program is committed to a better future for all and contributes to each of the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations. We are committed to six long-term commitments for a climate-positive world. We invest in and continuously develop innovative solutions to achieve decarbonization. By using resources efficiently and making the best use of digital technologies, we ensure the preservation of our planet. We live the principles of trust by adhering to high social, ethical and governance standards aimed at creating equal opportunities and ensuring a culture of diversity and inclusion. We empower local communities by supporting local initiatives, empowering individuals and partners to realize sustainability for all.

In view of the difficult economic situation and the global upheavals: Do you dare to make a forecast for the future?

2024 was indeed a difficult year. Over 50% of the world's population went to the polls in the last 12 months, which naturally has an impact on the industrial sector as many companies are waiting for investment and anticipating changes in regulation and policy.

The forecast for 2025 looks better, although there are still some challenges to overcome, including ensuring productivity growth, the high cost of energy, an ageing workforce and the need to transition to sustainable operations.
The need to access and manage data and the integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence can help overcome these challenges by improving efficiency, automating processes and supporting the shift to greener practices. Harnessing these innovations will be critical for manufacturers to remain competitive and responsive to changing market demand.