Research, Innovation & Technology - vdma.org

Metubiq will be presenting its technology for vibration-insensitive 3D surface measurement for the first time in the EMO Startup Area 2025. The young startup is using the trade fair to attract partners and discuss use cases directly with the industry.

The majority of German machinery and equipment manufacturing research is conducted in Germany. Companies are keeping their research budgets high. However, there are threatening dependencies in key technologies.

The budget of the EU research program Horizon Europe has almost doubled - a positive signal. However, horizontal key technologies such as robotics, industrial AI and production technologies must be given greater consideration.

At the German Mechanical Engineering Summit in Berlin on September 16, 2025, we will be presenting the Startup-Award to the startup that is paving the way to more efficient and intelligent production with AI technologies in robotics and automation.

The bill presented by the Federal Government for an immediate tax program to strengthen Germany as a business location has also been passed by the Bundesrat. The following now applies:

Innovation starts with the right conversation: The EMO Startup Night with Speed-Dating on September 23, 2025 brings established companies and startups together - for fresh impetus, new partnerships and real ideas for the future. Be there now!

Looking for fresh impetus for your company? Whether it's new technologies, digital innovations or sustainable solutions - at Startup Matchmaking at EMO Hannover, you can get in touch with the right partners quickly and in a targeted manner.

Innovative solutions for digitalized processes or business models by and for SMEs in NRW.

Scientific collaborations are of added value for Germany as a center of innovation. However, strategic knowledge management is needed. Also in terms of technological sovereignty.

KMU-innovativ supports research-intensive SMEs in the mechanical engineering sector in the development of innovative technologies. Funding is provided for innovative projects and economic potential - also in cooperation with research partners.

In our theme publication you will find facts and figures on research and development, innovations and patents in machinery and equipment manufacturing.

Whether research tax allowance, IGF or project funding - national programs support companies in turning ideas into innovations, reducing risks, strengthening cooperation and putting knowledge into practice.

North Rhine-Westphalia has strengthened its leading position in the selection of Clusters of Excellence for the upcoming funding period from 2026.

Innovative solutions, smart technologies and international networking for the wood industry - a review of a successful second edition of LIGNA.FutureSquare 2025.

The federal government's planned immediate tax investment program sends important signals to the economy. The improvement in the research allowance in particular is good news.

It is right to combine the topic of startups and scaleups with an EU strategy. After all, startups drive Europe's innovative strength and future viability.

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.

Shaping the future with startup power: 48 promising startups presented themselves at bauma 2025, setting new impulses for the construction machinery industry with their fresh ideas and technologies.

International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV) 16th Edition. Record year 2024: 703 GW PV module shipment. TOPCon-Technology overcomes PERC dominance. Release of new interactive digital ITRPV product.

Strategic impetus for North Rhine-Westphalia's innovation and competitiveness

New NRW.BANK development program for SMEs with up to 20 percent repayment discount

PV Pilot Project: Competitiveness of European/German Photovoltaic Equipment Manufacturers

VDMA Services GmbH study on European and German manufacturers of solar production equipment and side event on May 6 at Intersolar Europe 2025.

The 16th edition of the International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaics (ITRPV) and the presentation of the Roadmap's new exclusive digital product at the side event on May 8, 2025 at Intersolar Europe 2025.

Exclusively for members, the specialist department for water and wastewater technology provides a new information service with its publication "Marketplace Water and Wastewater Technology".

The Startup Area @ LIGNA.FutureSquare went into the next round. From May 26 to 30, 2025, 14 startups from four countries presented their pioneering solutions for the industry at LIGNA, the world's leading trade fair for woodworking and wood processing.

To ensure the competitiveness of the mechanical and plant engineering industry, the VDMA is calling for reliable economic framework conditions. A strong industry means a strong economy.

Under the title "Towards Autonomous Robot Collectives Delivering Collaborative Tasks in Dynamic, Unstructured Construction Environments", the EIC is looking for pioneering technologies for the use of autonomous robotic collectives in the construction industry.

The mechanical and plant engineering sector is investing billions in research and development - and is thus consistently focusing on innovation and new technologies.

At LIGNA.FutureSquare 2025, the startup improvem from Austria shows how the digital twin makes wood processing more transparent, efficient and sustainable - for smarter production processes and future-proof companies.

Revolutionizing intralogistics with intelligent wood-based materials - that is ligenium's mission. The startup, which was already nominated for the 2023 Mechanical Engineering Summit Startup Award, is presenting itself for the first time at LIGNA.FutureSquare 2025.

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Energy efficiency measures in refrigeration technology help to achieve climate protection and economic efficiency targets. The Fachverband Allgemeine Lufttechnik therefore called together experts on the subject.

After a successful debut at LIGNA.FutureSquare 2023, Polish startup Deeplai will exhibit again at the Startup Area this year. Deeplai brings state-of-the-art AI technologies to the wood industry.

In 2023, EMO Hannover attracted numerous company representatives from the production technology sector. It will take place again from September 22 to 26, 2025 and will further expand the focus on matchmaking between startups and corporates in the Startup Area.

The VDMA has addressed extensive demands to politicians. What do the parties think? Our overview shows the extent to which the mechanical and plant engineering industry is taken into account in the programs for the federal election on February 23, 2025.

INNOspace Masters promotes ideas for the transfer of technology and know-how from other industries to the space sector or from the space sector to non-space sectors.

The Central Innovation Program for SMEs (ZIM) is a nationwide funding program that is open to all technologies and sectors.

The high pace of innovation in mechanical and plant engineering requires more industry orientation in funding, strengthening of collaborative research, transfer platforms, and the expansion of research funding for future-proof jobs.

The Institute of Machine Tools and Production Engineering (IWF) is jointly headed by Prof. Klaus Dröder and Prof. Christoph Herrmann.

Thermal process technology plays a decisive role in international competition against the backdrop of declining resources and global climate change. Innovations regarding the substitution of fossil sources are moving into focus

Tax incentives for research offer small and medium-sized companies in particular incentives to invest in research and development.

The Leibniz-IPHT is researching biophotonic methods and technologies that are entering new dimensions in terms of resolution, sensitivity, specificity, speed, accuracy and automation.

Heavy seas and no calm in sight: the mechanical engineering industry expects a decline in production and a slight reduction in jobs in 2025. A political turnaround is needed to strengthen the industry.

2025 will be a highlight year for mechanical and plant engineering companies and startups. VDMA Startup-Machine connects young companies with established players in mechanical engineering at the leading industry events.

At bauma 2025, startups showed how pioneering technologies and creative solutions can transform the construction industry.

More efficient project management, autonomous robots and AI-supported innovations for a sustainable construction industry.

Voodin Blades celebrates its premiere at LIGNA.FutureSquare 2025. CEO Tom Siekmann shares his goals and explains why participation is an important step for the Hessian startup.

bauma 2025 highlighted startups that are pioneering the transition to zero-emission and sustainable practices in the construction sector.

At bauma 2025, startups played a key role in the transformation of the mining industry towards greater efficiency, safety and sustainability.