Digitalization & Industry 4.0 - vdma.eu

The EU Commission has launched a survey on the Digital Omnibus—a law that aims to simplify EU digital regulations. The VDMA is participating and calling upon the EU to be bold in simplifying.

The HANSA Forum is approaching. VDMA members receive a 20% discount on the regular ticket price.

Since September, Etienne Axmann has joined the forum as a Factory-X speaker, which is now complete.

Invitation to the expert meeting on medical device development in the area of conflict between the NIS2 Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act on October 22, 2025 in Eckental near Nuremberg.

Interview on the way to K 2025 with Dipl.-Ing. Michael Wittmann, President of WITTMANN Group

The VDMA's Manufacturing-X forum will devote an entire day in November to the data economy in industrial value creation networks. VDMA members are cordially invited to attend the event on November 19.

On September 22, 2025, Forum Manufacturing-X had the special opportunity to welcome a delegation from the Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) to VDMA in Frankfurt.

Interoperability between machines and systems is a decisive factor for the creation of industrial data spaces and digital business models, but also for the implementation of legal requirements such as the EU Data Act.

How will Europe's mechanical and plant engineering industry hold its own in the global competition of the future? The new future study by VDMA and McKinsey shows which trends, success factors and approaches are crucial now.

Advancing Europe in robotics: At #MBG25, Denmark's national robotics cluster Odense Robotics and VDMA Robotics Automation signed a cooperation agreement - supported by the Danish and German governments.

In 2025, the VDMA and the ZVEI are once again organizing the "Technology Stage powered by VDMA/ZVEI" forum at SPS - with exciting presentations and lively panel discussions.

The EU Data Act has been applicable since 12.09.2025. We explain what this means below.

Visit the umati stand at the SPS trade fair from November 25 to November 27, 2025 in Nuremberg. You will find us in hall 5, booth 5-238.

Instead of promoting innovation in the single market, EU digital laws have become hurdles in many places. The EU legislator must therefore use the digital omnibus to fundamentally correct digital regulation.

The draft of the NIS-2 Implementation and Cybersecurity Strengthening Act (NIS2UmsuCG) introduced by the German government will be discussed in the Bundestag tomorrow.

Part 4 of our series of talks on the Mechanical Engineering Summit 2025: Professor Claus Oetter shows how digital business models and AI are changing the industry - and what role the VDMA is playing in the transformation.

In an interview with VDMA, Prof. Dr. Néstor Fabián Ayala explains how trust in data spaces can be promoted through clear framework conditions for secure data exchange and praises the cooperation with international institutions.

According to the Federal Network Agency, telecommunications secrecy no longer applies to employers when employees use company email accounts privately.

Assistance systems and technology-supported learning help free up resources in production

If there is only a purely hypothetical risk that personal data will be misused by unauthorized third parties, this does not lead to a claim for damages under the GDPR.

KHVVG changes hospital financing: Service groups control investments. Opportunities for automation in pharmacies, laboratories, logistics, and operating rooms. Providers should align solutions with LG requirements and provide evidence of KPIs.

The Industrial Automation Show (IAS) in Shanghai is one of the most important trade fairs for industrial automation in Asia.

P.O.P. Talks to discuss prospects for AI in production

The VDMA, together with the ZVEI, the German Pharmaceutical Industry Association, and the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), has sent an open letter to Digital Minister Dr. Karsten Wildberger.

In an interview with the VDMA, Ricardo Aloysio e Silva reports on the state of digitalization and interoperability in Brazil

Since August 2, 2025, the provisions on general-purpose AI models and sanctions of the AI Act, among others, have been applicable. In this article, we explain what this means for companies.

Updated policy briefing on China’s Personal Information Protection Regulation (PIPL)

The digitalization of industry is facing a fundamental problem: while marketing brochures often talk about greenfield projects, a lot of all digitalization projects are actually brownfield modernizations of existing systems.

In today's industry, interoperability is a decisive factor that promotes efficiency, cost savings and competitiveness.

With the publication of the new OPC UA Companion Specification "OPC 40092-1", the VDMA has set an important milestone for the digitalization of the PUR foam industry.

The VDMA Glass Technology Forum is advancing two important standards that will enhance the safety of hollow glass machinery and strengthen competitiveness across Europe.

The VDMA and Spanish company TRIMEK have been honored with the BAIDATA Excellence Award 2025 in the category "Excellence in the Deployment of Innovative Pilots and Use Cases."

Jan Fischer has been on board as an expert for data rooms and Manufacturing-X at the VDMA since July. He strengthens the Manufacturing-X Forum headed by Dr.-Ing. Marc Hüske with his expertise.

In the exchange of experiences, the topic of AI in the company was discussed from safe application to strategic implementation.

Interview on the road to K 2025 with Timo Horn, Head of Operational Services in Extrusion Technology at Hans Weber Maschinenfabrik GmbH

In an interview with the VDMA, Mauricio Finotti from ABINC talks about the future.

On July 1, 2025, VDMA Austria held an AI practical day at the KEBA Group in Linz, which attracted a great deal of interest with over 70 participants.

What SMEs need to consider in the context of digital transformation in order to establish and ensure the operational technology security (OT security) of their machines and systems.b

How to introduce AI-based planning systems: from identifying suitable use cases and creating digital foundations to designing agile and human-centered innovation processes.

September 15 and 16, 2025, Hamburg. Discounted participation for VDMA members.

How artificial intelligence is revolutionizing production

Are you ready to shape the future of industrial data and digital transformation?

The transformation of the automotive industry is changing the demands placed on machine tools and production technology. Topics such as automation, digitalization and artificial intelligence are shaping developments.

The whole spectrum of digitalization remains a top issue at EMO Hannover 2025

The VDMA welcomes the EU Commission's plan to strengthen the data economy. However, any measures must remain voluntary and must not lead to forced data exchange and further bureaucratic burdens.

The use of publicly accessible telephone numbers for advertising purposes does not fall under the GDPR's authorization to safeguard legitimate interests unless the advertiser has at least presumed consent within the meaning of Section 7 UWG.

The EU Commission wants to reduce bureaucracy for small-mid caps (SMCs) - for example in the GDPR, the F-Gas Regulation and the Battery Regulation. Larger companies should also benefit - for example through the digitalization of documentation obligations.

The ongoing digital transformation is helping companies to improve existing value propositions and develop new ones.

The Bundesgesellschaft für Endlagerung mbH (BGE) is using a mobile demonstrator on a model scale to bring the advantages and functionality of OPC UA as a framework for industrial interoperability closer to its own operating personnel.

With the "AJCsens", the Fraunhofer IVV presents a smart spray cleaning system for demand-oriented tank cleaning, which offers a forward-looking answer to the constantly increasing pressure on time and resources thanks to its high savings potential.