Future Business - vdma.eu

VDMA members have the opportunity to meet innovative startups at Hannover Messe 2026. VDMA Startup-Machine organizes curated 1:1 matchmaking meetings for member companies with the aim of concrete collaborations.

How can generative AI create real value in industrial environments? Festo and Zeta Alpha share how a focused collaboration turned a proof of concept into a productive solution - and what startups and corporates can learn from it. An interview.

The High-Tech Agenda Germany sets new research policy priorities. What is behind the agenda? What significance does it have for the mechanical and plant engineering industry? How is the VDMA involved in its implementation?

Collaborations between mechanical engineering companies and startups arise where specific technological issues meet suitable solutions. "The Match" section highlights and classifies selected examples of collaboration.

Humanoid robots are seen as the next level of automation. Their success depends not only on technical performance, but also on safety, acceptance and the ability to reliably integrate complex systems into real environments.

Mechanical engineering companies cooperate with startups to gain innovative strength, speed and new technological impetus. VDMA Startup-Machine supports with a new offer VDMA members in identifying suitable startups and preparing the initial contact.

Highlights from the showcase area of AG AM in the VDMA at Formnext 2026 in Frankfurt.

The market potential of deep tech is estimated at 8 trillion euros in the short term. However, it is research- and capital-intensive, with long development cycles. We show why this is relevant for mechanical and plant engineering.

Growth expectations rise to 6%, yet overall sentiment stays subdued. Discover key trends across sectors and what’s driving the market outlook.

VDMA Austria and VDMA Bavaria

Research, innovation and future topics from a single source. We pool expertise, network players and support the mechanical and plant engineering industry with the right experts for strategic and technological issues.

Innovative startups and established industrial companies can achieve great things together and make a significant contribution to the digitalization and competitiveness of domestic industry.

New materials and substances are among the biggest innovation levers in mechanical and plant engineering. But which developments are relevant and what influence will they have on tomorrow's value creation?

In the future, robots with a human resemblance could perform many tasks for which automation has not yet been worthwhile. Humanoid robots are being tested in more and more applications - but the road to market maturity is still a long one.

The expert audience has made its decision: with its acoustic AI solution that detects even the smallest defects in metals, the Dutch startup RESONIKS prevailed over two other finalists in the live vote for the Startup Award.

Around 55 specialists and managers from the fields of innovation, development, strategy and foresight accepted the invitation to the VDMA Corporate Foresight Spring Conference on May 14 and 15, 2025 at KSB SE & Co. KGaA in Frankenthal.

Strategic compass for the future: The special edition of the trend radar contains around 40 new topics that will play a decisive role in the future of mechanical and plant engineering.

VDMA bundles its activities in the area of "Research and Innovation" and establishes a new joint office. Research and innovation processes can thus be further optimized. Dr. Eric Maiser and Martin Nitsche take over from Dietmar Goericke.

VDMA Startup-Machine and prototype.club are promoting innovation in mechanical engineering with a new innovation format. Find out more about successful projects and how you can benefit from them as a member company.

In this compilation of GTAI articles from 2024 on the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life science and pharmaceutical sectors, you will find the markets and articles in chronological order.

The ninth future study examines the role of carbon management as the key to achieving climate targets. It outlines opportunities and hurdles for industry and society and presents four future scenarios for 2035 and beyond.

From bionics to biointelligence – Advances in biology and its fusion with technology and IT are opening up a whole new dimension for machine makers to solve the current challenges of our time. The Scenario Study shows how this can be achieved.

Two days of future power in Friedrichshafen: at the invitation of Rolls-Royce Power Systems more than 50 participants met on June 06-07,2023 to exchange ideas on increasing complexity in future management.