The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft sees itself as a central player in application-oriented research. It combines scientific findings with industrial implementation and drives forward the transfer to commercial applications. The organization operates 75 institutes and research facilities in Germany. Around 32,000 employees, mainly from the natural sciences and engineering disciplines, generate an annual financial volume of 3.6 billion euros, of which 3.1 billion euros is in the area of contract research.

At the heart of the trade fair presentation is the question of how industrial systems can be designed with the help of data, artificial intelligence and new materials so that they not only become more efficient, but above all more resilient and flexible. The exhibits make it clear that resilience today can be understood less as an individual characteristic and more as the result of an interplay between data ecosystems, automated processes and sustainable technologies.

At the joint Fraunhofer stand in Hall 11 (Stand D33), this perspective will be translated into concrete applications. The spectrum ranges from virtual AI avatars in the metaverse and new approaches to production planning through to battery recycling processes and the recovery of critical raw materials as well as high-performance electronic systems. This diversity demonstrates the interdisciplinary strength of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, which systematically combines different fields of technology.

The Fraunhofer Liaison Office Brazil is setting an international accent with a view to the partner country of Hannover Messe 2026, presenting cooperation projects that understand industrial transformation as a global task and emphasize the role of international innovation networks.

Another focus is on the hydrogen economy. At the Hydrogen Island (Hall 11, Stand E9-E11), Fraunhofer Institutes will be showcasing technologies along the entire value chain - from production, storage and transportation to industrial applications. Hydrogen will be presented as an already technologically tangible system, not just as a future option.

The trade fair appearance is also being held under the auspices of UNESCO to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Joseph von Fraunhofer's death. This underlines the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft's commitment to consistently translating research into industrial applications.

Exhibits

Collaborative Powerwall and virtual AI avatars
The industrial collaboration of the future is shifted into the metaverse space here. New forms of engineering, service development and human-machine interaction will be on display. The focus is on immersive visualizations, AI avatars and digital twins.

High-performance packaging technology
A demonstrator from the APECS pilot line as part of the EU Chips Act shows solutions for chip integration, cooling and packaging. The aim is to make complex high-performance electronics more space-saving and cost-efficient - a field with high industrial relevance.

Tailor-made and bio-based fertilizer
A fully biodegradable fertilizer is designed to provide plants with nutrients in a targeted manner and prevent over-fertilization. The results of corresponding test series will be presented at the trade fair.

Battery recycling and recovery of critical raw materials
A newly developed electrochemical process enables the chemical-free recovery of critical raw materials. The process works at room temperature and ambient pressure and promises reduced investment and operating costs.

Strategic production planning with mathematics
Mathematical optimization can be used to structure complex production and logistics processes. The aim is to achieve lower costs, higher throughput and more reliable delivery dates.

Secure unlearning for distributed AI models
Together with Fujitsu, Fraunhofer is demonstrating how data can be removed from decentralized AI systems in a targeted manner without significantly impairing model quality. For data rooms such as Manufacturing-X, the process opens up prospects for data-sovereign and GDPR-compliant AI applications.

Converting biogenic residues into fuels and chemical intermediates
TCR technology (Thermo-Catalytic Reforming) converts biogenic residues into synthesis gas, bio-crude oil and biochar. It thus addresses issues relating to the circular economy and independence from fossil raw materials.

Smart data pipelines as the basis for trustworthy AI
Smart data pipelines structure the entire data process, from collection and exchange to AI training. The aim is a transparent, traceable and quality-assured data flow for AI applications.

Lignew wood foam material
A completely ecological, recyclable wood foam material without synthetic binders opens up new application possibilities for the construction, furniture and packaging industries as well as lightweight construction. It is an example of material innovations that combine resource efficiency and industrial applicability.

All in all, Fraunhofer's presence at Hannover Messe 2026 forms a picture that shows the industry of the coming years less as a sequence of individual innovations and more as a closely interwoven system. Production will not only become more digital and efficient, but will also become more robust in the face of crises and more flexible in its processes. The fact that this aspiration runs through topics such as the hydrogen economy, battery recycling and AI-supported production planning underlines the systemic nature of the approaches on show.

The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is thus once again positioning itself as an institution that not only depicts technological development, but also attempts to translate it into industrial reality.

Hannover Messe 2026, Hall 11, Stand D33