Hannover Messe inspiration trip 'Energizing a Sustainable Industry'
On Monday, April 22, Techport organized a day excursion for member companies, governments and educational institutions to the world's largest industrial fair, the Hannover Messe. Theo Koster of Techport: "It is striking how this fair has changed in recent years. Concrete products made of kilograms of steel and electronics are making way for digital twins. Sustainability and digitalization lie like a thick blanket over the manufacturing industry. Proof that Techport's themes fit seamlessly with international themes."
Future digitalization, automation and electrification
Hannover Messe is the hotspot for industrial transformation and innovation. Over 4,000 exhibitors and 1,900 speakers from all over the world show the future of digitalization, automation and electrification at this fair. The Netherlands is also well represented in the Netherlands Pavilion to show how strong our country is in developing and making climate-neutral technologies and digital systems. The pavilion was festively opened by outgoing Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Micky Adriaansens and Theo Henrar, president of the FME association.
From indoor growing to acoustic cameras
Techport participants this day allowed themselves to be fully immersed in the world of technological innovation. For example, one participant came specifically to look at innovations in the field of indoor vegetable growing, a second participant was particularly interested in the various ways of storing hydrogen and electrifying vehicles, and yet another attendee came to gauge interest in acoustic cameras in order to apply noise reduction to machinery and vehicles.
Visualizing automations
"It is almost shocking to see how fast we are moving in the field of technology," Ronald Schavemaker, director of Intures, said of the fair. Jaap Beentjes, owner BSE IJmond: "One of my goals was to find a company to electrify our machinery, such as aerial work platforms, rail and road vehicles and scissor elevators. That was present, so I'm glad I went along." Sem Rudolph, working at 3D Makerszone, was also very appreciative of the fair: "Nice to see how various companies can visually display their automations with beautiful simulations and dashboards. We want to set up an experience from our Fieldlab this fall, so we can definitely use this inspiration then."
Is this desirable?
Notable was the rise of the so-called Tech companies, such as Meta, Microsoft, Google, Paloalto, Dell, AWS and the rise of AI in the industry. A lot of production data is disappearing into the cloud. "You have to ask yourself is that desirable? Those companies already control all private data and are now conquering industry as well," signals Willem Jonkman of BTAC Solutions.
Making translation own business operations
Many new contacts were made (also among themselves within the tour group), knowledge was gained about new technology and participants were able to make a translation to an application in their own business operations or environment. Techport continues to engage with the parties to discuss follow-up steps. This day trip is part of the Techport Green Incubator innovation program and was made possible in part by the Just Transition Fund (JTF).
