Hannover Messe: cutting-edge industrial innovation in times of geopolitical crises
The Orgalim delegation at this year's Hannover Messe, the world's leading industrial trade fair, included Orgalim President Javier Ormazabal, Director General Ulrich Adam and Policy Director Daniel Wennick.
AI in focus
2025's Hannover fair was dominated by the rapid integration of AI into industrial production processes. While many consumers are already familiar with the ground-breaking role of AI in automated text or image generation, the rapidly growing adaptation of AI into industrial processes comes with the promise of revolutionary change. As Siemens CEO Roland Busch underlined in his opening speech, "Consumer AI makes the headlines, industrial AI will make the impact!"
Dialogue with members, companies and EU policymakers
Hannover Messe provided the Orgalim delegation with the chance to meet and discuss with many association members – including fair partners VDMA and ZVEI as well as MASOC from Lativa and LINPRA from Lithuania – and learn first-hand about cutting-edge industrial innovations at the company stands of Siemens, Festo, PhoenixContact, and Schneider Electric.
As part of the dialogue with EU policymakers, the delegation met with DG GROW Director General Kerstin Jorna, Head of Unit Matthias Schmidt-Gerdts and Director (Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs) Jakub Boratynski.
Free Gulliver or make the single market great again (and reduce regulatory burden!)
A clear message delivered by the European Commission in Hannover – and wholeheartedly welcomed by Orgalim and industry stakeholders – was the political intent and urgency to unleash the full potential of the EU's single market, particularly in light of the looming geopolitical crises abroad. Director General Jorna compared the current state of the single market to the image of Gulliver tied to the ground by far too many barriers and hurdles.
Joining the panel debate 'Completing the Single Market to Boost Competitiveness: What Lies Ahead?', Orgalim DG Ulrich Adam fully supported the idea of making the single market great again, underlining the need for strong and consistent political will in the Commission's current mandate to fight risks of national re-fragmentation and reduce the overall regulatory burden in the EU.
Another panel debate, ‘Spurring Innovation for the Industry of Tomorrow', addressed how European companies can accelerate industrial transformation through investment and research. President Javier Ormazabal made a strong plea for increased EU R&I funding, showcasing practical examples of EU funding projects that have made a real difference in company research.
Tariff disputes looming in the background
One political shadow hanging over the entire fair was the evolving and fast-moving tariff debate in the US. Whatever the final outcomes of the tariff measures by the US administration, it is clear that globally operating companies are facing increased geopolitical risks and will need to find agile, effective ways to deal with these persisting uncertainties – a tremendous challenge that is likely to hamper long-term business and investment planning in the months ahead.
