Pune, Frankfurt am Main: Under the motto Innovate Manufacturing EMO Hanover 2025 stands for innovation, internationality, in- spiration, and the future of metal working. The world’s leading trade fair for production technology is the only event to present the entire value-added chain for metal working: from machine tools, production systems, additive pro- cesses, precision tools and automation through to measuring technology, qual- ity assurance, software, and accessories. Our target groups are the global in- dustrial trendsetters: mechanical engineering, automobile construction, aerospace engineering, metal working and processing, medical technology, energy suppliers, but also the electronics industry and many other branches of industry.
“As the platform for business and discussions between all the international players in the industry – manufacturers and users –, EMO is unique in the world,” emphasized Dr. Markus Heering, Executive Director of the German Machine Tools Builders’ Association (VDW), the organizer of EMO, on the oc- casion of five EMO presentations in India (Pune, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmed- abad and New Dehli) from April 21 to 25, 2025. In 2023 more than 1,800 ex- hibitors from 45 countries attracted around 92,000 trade visitors from almost 140 countries to EMO. More than 2,000 visitors came from India.
India widely represented at EMO
With machine tool production of around 1.7 billion US dollars last year, India ranks 9th and is therefore one of the top ten largest manufacturers in the world. The most important target groups for Indian manufacturers include mo- tor vehicle construction, electrical engineering, metal production and pro- cessing, and mechanical engineering. Since the mechanical engineering and motor vehicle construction industries are major customers for metalworking companies, they are also important visitor groups at EMO.
As a major Southeast Asian exhibitor group with round about 40 companies currently registered, including many well-known manufacturers such as ACE Designers, Jyoti and S&T Machinery as well as Lakshmi Machine Works (LMW) and Macpower, India will once again be widely represented at EMO 2025. The important product groups that Indian companies will be bringing in- clude state-of-the-art systems for metalworking, especially lathes, milling ma- chines, grinding machines, as well as Industry 4.0 and AI solutions.
In addition to offering contacts with the customary markets, EMO will offer a large number of starting points for establishing new business relationships. Trade visitors at EMO come from all over the world. Every one of them is a po- tential customer.
Imports of machine tools in India rose to 2.5 billion US dollars last year. “Indian decision-makers in the metalworking industry are currently primarily focusing on machine tools from China, Japan and Germany,” said Heering. “However, they come to EMO to obtain information on the latest range of machine tools, solutions and services worldwide, become acquainted with new suppliers and prospects, and initiate potentially new supplier relationships,” he said.
EMO focusing on global megatrends
Similar challenges can be seen everywhere: Competition is intensifying. Inves- tors are taking a wait-and-see approach. Costs are rising. The demand for sustainable products is increasing. The shortage of skilled workers is also making advances more difficult in many places while the integration of new technologies such as artificial intelligence and additive manufacturing necessi- tates continuous advanced training.
During EMO 2025 almost 1,300 exhibitors from 35 countries will present solu- tions relating to these challenges. Experts will discuss the megatrends of auto- mation, digitalization, including artificial intelligence, and sustainability, and ex- amine their progress in metal working.
Automation for greater efficiency in the Indian metal working industry
High costs and the rapidly growing demand for skilled workers, which can hardly be met, are driving automation in Indian industry. Automation solutions increase efficiency and quality in the production process. They represent one of the main drivers for investments and are offered in many different forms by numerous EMO exhibitors. Automation extends from simple solutions such as pallet changers and handling systems through to the use of robots and auton- omous factories with self-driving systems.
Visitors to EMO 2025 can look forward to a wide range of automation solutions since many exhibitors are continuing to upgrade their machines with these so- lutions. The joint stand Cobot Area will focus even more closely on automa- tion. Collaborative robots, their potential uses, and applications will be pre- sented there. They include grippers, machine vision, measuring systems, software, industrial electronics, feed systems, and much more besides.
Sustainability for more climate protection
According to the government’s objectives, India should be climate-neutral by 2070. Considerable progress has already been made in the expansion of re- newable energies. The focal points of production are less energy and material consumption, and the introduction of a recycling economy. “Numerous individ- ual measures are achieving the desired objective in this respect. Investments in new machines lead, for example, to energy savings of around 25 percent,” said Markus Heering in describing the experiences. The CO2 footprint is thereby reduced. Modern electric motors and innovative drive technology save a considerable amount of electricity compared with the predecessor genera- tion. Other determining factors include improved control technology, optimized design of compressed air and hydraulic applications, or friction-minimized warehousing and management systems.
The Sustainability Area at EMO 2025 will be the ideal meeting point to experi- ence state-of-the-art solutions for sustainable production in future. Exhibitors will provide information there on trends in energy efficiency, the integration of regenerative energies, recycling, and lifecycle concepts. They not only pro- mote climate protection but also reduce production costs in times when energy and raw materials are scarce.
Digitalization coupled with artificial intelligence for higher productivity
Digitalization and networking have long been topics in production. Artificial in- telligence has now been added in order to speed up data analysis, achieve higher productivity, and develop new business models. The semiconductor in- dustry is playing a key role in the development and use of digital technologies. Semiconductors make it possible for users to design their production pro- cesses more intelligently by harnessing technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI). They create transparency through the efficiency of production processes, facilitate real-time monitoring and con- trol of machines and processes, and also enable predictive maintenance.
The AI + Digitalization Area during EMO 2025 will show investors from indus- try and administration the latest networking methods coupled with artificial in- telligence. This is also an opportunity for manufacturers from India to position themselves in this field.
The future of metal working in India
Advances in all three areas are stimulating investments and boosting demand for production technology. As the organizer of EMO, the German Machine Tool Builders’ Association (VDW) will also cover important topics relating to metal working. These topics will be reflected, for example, on the Additive Manufac- turing joint stand where the latest applications in the area of additive manufac- turing will be presented.
With an eye on the future and young talents, the Mechanical Engineering Youth Foundation is strengthening young specialists for future challenges. Qualified training is the basis for the success of the industry. Thanks to tar- geted support measures, the Mechanical Engineering Youth Foundation is helping to ensure that the industry will also remain innovative and competitive in the long term. On the Special Youth Stand the Mechanical Engineering Youth Foundation will also show how training can best be oriented towards the current demands in technology and digitalization in companies. Young innova- tive companies will also present fresh and forward-looking technologies in the Startup Area.
50 years of innovation for metal working
In 2025 EMO will celebrate its 50th anniversary. Established in 1975, the trade fair has brought the know-how in the industry together for half a century and is playing a leading role in shaping the future of metal working. EMO has be- come a global institution and a fixed date in the trade fair calendar. “In 2025 EMO in Hanover will again be the festival for the entire international metal working industry. The trade fair will clearly show how far we have already come and how much future potential we still have,” concluded Heering. “The current EMO motto Innovate Manufacturing is therefore more just than a slo- gan. It is an appeal to Indian suppliers and users to bravely exploit the possi- bilities of new technologies. The products and services on offer during EMO will provide a great of inspiration and new ideas in this respect.”