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On 11 May 2021, the spring meeting of the VDMA Forum Packmittel on the topic of circular economy and sustainable packaging took place as part of a web meeting.

Sharing experience. Observing technologies and markets together. Bundling know-how. These are the central concerns of the "Packaging Forum" in the VDMA.

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

Discover the world of quantum technology in this podcast! Experts discuss the latest advances and applications.

One third of national patent applications in Germany can be attributed to the technology field of mechanical and plant engineering. In hardly any other country is this proportion as high as in Germany.

In turbulent times, good trade relations are just as important as innovation. With the guest country Canada and the focus on the use of artificial intelligence in production, Hannover Messe 2025 has set the right signals.

In economically difficult times, the VDMA supports its members with valuable information and personal advice. Together we will find the right course and strengthen the resilience of the companies.

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

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JTC22-WG3 develops Technical Report for Benchmarking of Quantum Computers

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.

The VDMA is calling for reliable framework conditions for growth and competitiveness in Germany in 2025. Together we can master the challenges of the future. You can find the details in the economic policy positions for 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.

Efficient process management in mechanical and plant engineering is the basis for successful operation, competitiveness and innovative strength.

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.

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.

The new research allowance is becoming increasingly popular in the mechanical engineering sector. The Federal Ministry of Finance has now issued an important statement regarding the application deadlines for previous years.

The Forschungskuratorium Maschinenbau e.V. (FKM) bundles and coordinates pre-competitive research for 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.

The VDMA cooperation with the Greentech Festival in Berlin enters its second year

Millions around the world are suffering from water shortages. Mechanical engineering offers innovative solutions for efficient water use and treatment.

Research secures value creation and jobs in Germany and Europe. Politicians must create innovation-friendly framework conditions. Openness to technology is essential.

In our interview with Hans-Josef Fell, we shed light on Germany's untapped hydropower potential. According to the Energy Watch Group, the whole of eastern Germany could be supplied with renewable electricity if hydropower were optimally utilized.

In a world where the search for sustainable energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent, hydropower is making a comeback as one of the oldest and most reliable forms of energy generation.

On March 15, 2023, the Federal Cabinet adopted a National Water Strategy for Germany. This strategy and the action program lay the foundation for the sustainable management of water resources and water protection.

The International Space Station (ISS) as a pioneer.

Water crisis in Europe: How mechanical engineering and the circular economy offer a solution. Which technologies are crucial? What role does digitalization play?

The good news first: industry is using less and less water. Technologies and innovative system approaches are needed to reduce it even further and at the same time avoid waste water.

The value of water is still underestimated. This applies to water as an elixir of life and to water in the context of industry.

The EU research program "Made in Europe" not only offers a dialogue platform for topics related to Industry 4.0, but also an opportunity to participate in EU projects. One focus here is the circular economy.

Addressing price-sensitive customers and markets with tailor-made quality products. This is the subject of the new study "Frugal innovations in mechanical and plant engineering" by the IMPULS Foundation of the VDMA.

Since 2012, spending on R&D by the manufacturing sector in Germany has increased by more than a third. The machinery and equipment manufacturing industry has seen above-average develeopment.

First the Corona pandemic, then the Russian invasion of Ukraine: these crises and their effects are tormenting Germany as a business location. But it is important to look to the future and ask how Germany can prepare itself for the future.

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.

Discover startup contacts and trends for mechanical engineering worldwide? The digital startup search platform helps you get started with startup scouting and find suitable partners.

Tracking down startup trends and contacts for mechanical engineering worldwide - this is the mission we pursue with our startup scouting services. This is made possible by the Startup Radar project. Find out here how we can help you keep an eye on international startup activity and identify suitable partners.

"Collective intelligence" and interdisciplinary collaboration for a heterogeneous industry: Around 50 colleagues support the Competence Center Future Business with their specialist expertise.

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.

When it comes to future topics, we at Future Business and Startup-Machine are exactly the right people to talk to.

With trend topics in the time horizon from under 5 to over 10 years

Israel is a source of innovation and a startup hotbed for the mechanical engineering industry. The VDMA Innovation Tour Israel project introduces VDMA members to the Israeli innovation ecosystem.

Services in mechanical engineering: The focus is already on people, digitization and sustainability. Will everything be new, will everything be different in the next decade? Four scenarios in the 8th study of the future.

Mechanical and plant engineering is an enabler for climate protection and resource efficiency. Only with green technologies and innovative strength can climate targets be achieved and transformation shaped.

The 12 parts of the VDMA Specification series 40084 "OPC UA Interfaces for Plastics and Rubber Machinery - Extrusion" have been revised and published with issue date 2022-08.

The VDMA East working groups provide important impulses for your daily work. They show best practice examples, provide valuable suggestions and promote contacts among members - currently also in web meetings.

The BMBF supports innovations in production, services and work that focus on people through various funding measures.

The digital event series "Connect2Discover@VDMA" invites you to get to know your association better. It offers you a regular insight into our wide range of services and shows you how you can best use your association for your tasks.

Almost every company in the mechanical and plant engineering sector has R&D projects and ideas. Public funding is available for them. You can find an overview here.

Complex topics, well-structured, easy to use: scenario deep dives convey orientation knowledge with bite, key factors and recommendations for action, presented in top-class summits.

Makerspaces are freely accessible workshops with high-tech equipment. Ideal for machine makers – e.g. for trying new technology, meeting startups, or sustainability gains and training of own staff.

Nine very successful years for VDMA Future Business: from the start in 2016 until today, trend scouting, foresight and the start-up network have been important drivers for members and the association!

The Competence Center Future Business was founded by the VDMA Executive Board in 2015. Clear benefit for members: identify trends and disruptions at an early stage and prepare for change.

Startups looking for access to the unique European mechanical engineering network have come to the right place at VDMA. As a platform, we support young companies in gaining a foothold in mechanical and plant engineering.

All the content of the VDMA Future Business Trend Radar is available digitally on our platform. This makes them more easily accessible for research, presentation and customization, including a variety of features. Try it out now!

The RoHS Directive is extremely comprehensive. With our navigation aid, we want to provide more clarity, especially on the subject of substance restrictions.

Diving into the ocean of trends: a brief introduction to categories and dimensions of trend analysis, how we lower hurdles for companies, and current examples - from AI to the circular economy.

The working group "Research I40 and AI" aims to initiate cross-industry research projects on Industry 4.0 and AI. Interested member companies can participate in the topics.

Mechanical engineering and start-ups are working together more and more frequently - and with success: three out of five collaborations are successful in the long term. But the potential is far from exhausted.

The Industrial Collective Research (IGF) represents a unique innovation platform for small and medium-sized enterprises. As an open-topic and industry-driven program, IGF is an important component in pre-competitive research for mechanical and plant engineering.

The 360-degree view: trends and disruptions that could become relevant for the machinery and equipment industry in the coming years and decades, concisely presented as trend cards for download.

The Industrial Collective Research (IGF) represents a unique innovation platform for small and medium-sized enterprises. As an open-topic and industry-driven programme, the IGF is an important building block in pre-competitive research for mechanical and plant engineering.

The Industrial Cooperative Research (IGF) represents a unique innovation platform for small and medium-sized enterprises. As an open-topic and industry-driven programme, the IGF is an important building block in pre-competitive research for mechanical and plant engineering.

The Industrial Collective Research (IGF) represents a unique innovation platform for small and medium-sized enterprises. As an open-topic and industry-driven programme, IGF is an important building block in pre-competitive research for mechanical and plant engineering.

Do you actually know all the services of our association that are important to you? Whether online, in writing or in person: Our range of services is as diverse as our industry - here you will find an overview.

At the 3rd VDMA Future Business Summit, more than 80 participants discussed the hot topic of Power-to-X as a building block for global climate protection and the associated opportunities for the mechanical engineering industry. Presentations and pictures for download.

Future study shows how progress in measuring and testing technology affects competitiveness. Digitalization and new measuring methods from biology and quantum technology are key factors.

As a platform for mechanical engineering and startups, we bring both parties together. From startup pitches and startup areas at industry trade fairs to matchmaking: we create meeting places, build networks and initiate partnerships.

The various autogenous technology processes are advantageous and versatile. What makes flame cutting, flame brazing, joint planing and the like so efficient and effective can be found in the trade association's presentation. Eight processes will show in five minutes: Autogenous technology is universal, flexible and always modern.

The effects of digitalization, networking, new measurement principles from biotechnology and quantum technology, simulation, virtualization and cost pressure on measurement technology. New players, specialists and business models - the scenario study shows development opportunities for 2030 and beyond.

From bionics and bioeconomy to "biointelligence": Biologization could have a similarly far-reaching impact on mechanical engineering as digitalization. This is shown by Trendradar and the 7th future study by VDMA Future Business.

The "Intelligent and self-learning production processes" project investigated how machines can teach themselves optimal processes independently and through interaction with the environment using little data. The ML method "reinforcement learning" was used for this and tested on two applications.

Analysis of 1700 questionnaires shows deficits in specialist knowledge about industry 4.0 Universities must develop curricula for industry 4.0 Employees must be prepared for digital change through further training strategies

A recent VDMA investigation shows that The vast majority of young people can finish school without ever coming into contact with a proven technical education. Germany as a nation of technology cannot really afford this.

With the VDMA Startup Radar, we now support members even better in screening global startup trends and in tracking down suitable cooperation partners from the international startup scene

Startups are also playing an increasingly important role in mechanical and plant engineering. Many companies are looking for partnerships to jointly conquer new fields of technology. The VDMA's new Startup Radar helps navigate the global startup scene - and lists more than 3,000 startups with relevance for mechanical engineering.

At the 5th VDMA Future Business Summit, around 60 participants from industry and research discussed the opportunities offered by a digitized recycling economy for mechanical engineering and heard what is already possible today.

Digitalization offers great opportunities for faster implementation of circular economy. Machine makers are solution providers and stakeholders at the same time. We show development opportunities for 2030+.

Future study shows: Digitalization can become the decisive instrument for spreading and accelerating the circular economy and lead to opportunities through new business models.

Companies in the mechanical and plant engineering sector see startups as strategically important partners for the future of their industry. A VDMA member survey shows that almost three quarters of companies are planning to collaborate with startups in the next three years. Small and medium-sized companies are also on the move in the startup world.

Information about requirements, risks and offers

How will digitalization and the autonomization of value chains change mechanical engineering by 2030? Answers were provided at the 4th VDMA Future Business Summit. Presentations and pictures for download.

It hisses, it pops and the sparks are flying: In the industry film "Autogenous technology" things go pretty well. No wonder, because the eight fields of application of autogenous technology offer something for the eye: gas welding, flame straightening, flame cutting, flame gouging, flame blasting, flame brazing, flame heating and flame spraying involve separating, joining, coating and processing materials in a wide variety of ways.

Digitalization and networking are powerful drivers for the future of value creation networks worldwide. This is transforming production, the economy and society as a whole - and therefore concerns all machine and plant manufacturers! Our fourth scenario study in the series "Images of the future for mechanical and plant engineering" for download :: For members

Ambitious climate protection and greenhouse gas neutrality require major efforts in all sectors. Power-to-X, the conversion of electricity into other forms of energy, can make a significant contribution - our third scenario study in the series "Images of the future for mechanical and plant engineering" for download :: For members

Startups are a fountain of youth for mechanical engineering: With VDMA Startup-Machine, we offer a platform that brings the two together and supports them in their collaboration. So you can benefit from it.

Publication series with a new informative brochure

VDMA Startup-Machine - who is behind it? Over 30 VDMA divisions support us with their specialist expertise in the "Startup-Machine" task force. Here we present our network of experts.

At the second VDMA Future Business Summit in Darmstadt, everything revolved around material innovations that will be important for mechanical engineering in 2030. Presentations and pictures for download :: For members

New materials have always fueled progress and are crucial for products and production. A look into the future - from lightweight construction and 3D printing to digitalization and sustainability.

Future materials are drivers of innovation and form the second trend topic in our series "Images of the future for mechanical and plant engineering". Results report of the scenario workshops for download.

Unnoticed, numerous small and large pumps perform their daily service to make people's lives easier.

The first VDMA Future Business Summit on 25.11.2016 was all about artificial intelligence, self-learning systems and data scientists. Lectures and pictures for download.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are the first topic in our series "Future Business Scenarios for Mechanical and Plant Engineering". The study is available for members to download.

From self-organization of production to self-learning systems: Machine learning, a sub-area of artificial intelligence, will take Industry 4.0 to a new level.

With the Packaging Forum, three VDMA trade associations created a joint platform for member companies.

Managing the future is a core topic in strategy and innovation processes, especially in the machinery industry. VDMA Corporate Foresight has been offering help since 2006, from methods to best practices.

Many factors must be taken into account when planning and installing new or expanding existing high-purity gas supply systems. The VDMA standard sheets provide comprehensive information.

High purity gas supply installations are designed to provide each individual point of use with the particular gas via a pipeline network.

Handling combustible and oxidizing gases requires a high degree of product quality. The observance of standards has to be ensured as well as a reliable quality management. In this brochure you will find everything that matters.

The brochure informs about how they could be constituted at its best and why the investment in products meeting the respective requirements is profitable.

Cylinder pressure regulators provide the desired service pressure (secondary pressure). When they do not fulfill their function, in the worst case an explosion can occur. With this brochure we will inform you about the secure use and potential threats.