Forced ventialtion - movement of air - might be the most common applied measure in engineered society. A fan, the most common machinery product of this sector, contributes in vast diversity to almost all industrial processes, to projects for the development of infrasstructure, to comfort air-conditioning and is implemented in many devices of our everyday-use. Based on different requirements, a development to highly specialised sectors of application has been inevitable.

Within the VDMA Air-handling technology Association the suppliers of equipment, machinery and plant are organised in five industry sectors:

• Refrigeration and Heatpump Technology, Dr. Karin Jahn
• Air-conditioning and Ventilation Technology, Thomas Damm
• Air-pollution Control, Barbara Leyendecker
• Drying Technology, Guntram Preuß
• Surface Treatment Technology, Dr. Martin Riester

The wide spectrum of customer branches qualifies each of the five industry sectors as a cross sectional technology. Customers come from all industry sectors, from the field of infrastructure, the real estate sector and in particular form the producing industries, often from the producing industries, often from the machinery sector itself. According to its economic power, Air-handling Technology is one of the most significant sectors in mechanical engineering. Its suppliers account for 7% of the production volume of the mechanical engineering sector in Germany rank third of the 40 sectors covered within VDMA (2009).

The approcimately 260 member companies of the specialised association represent round about half of all companies of this sector in Germany with 64,000 ecmployees (2008). In 2009 the sector obtained a production value of approximately 11 Bn. Euro.

The association represents the common economical, technical and scientific interests of its member companies. The five industry specific departments and the management body offer the following services amongst other:

• technical / scientific exchange of experience
• production guides and information brochures for the promotion of sales
• market information and statistics
• technical lobbying and regulations
• individual consulting for third parties
• setting of regulations and standards
• development of own specifications
• information services
• exhibition services and public relation
• lobbying at European level
• promotion of research

The Air-handlnig Technology Association is involved in lobbying activities at European level with membership in the European committees of

• Eurovent / Cecomaf the European Committee of Air-Handling and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers
• CETS the European Committee for Surface Treatment

The committees handle the interests of these sectors towards the European Commission. They promote exchange of the exonomic experience and the reduction of trade barriers in the European market particularly with regard to a technical background.

Working Group Maintenance Building Technology (AIG)
Product accompanying services are of major importance in the sectors of air-conditioning technology and refrigeration technology and have led to the development of high sophisticated solutions. The service segment comprises the sectors of classic maintenance services, technical building management, facility upgrading, energy management, contracting concepts, operation and optimisation of facilities and complex facility management. The working group Maintenance Building Technology is managed by the Association of Air-handling Technology. The highly qualified service providers within AIG frequently have also a technical background in plant manufacturing.

Forum Environmental Technology
Within the Forum of Environmental Technology the Association of Air-handling Technology (department of Air-Pollution Control), the Association for Thermoprocess and Waste and Treatment Technology (department Waste Treatment Technology), the Association for Maintenance Environmental Technology and the Association for Process Engineering Machinery (department of Water and Waste Treatment Technology) coordinate measures for promotioning this market. The Forum of Environmental Technologies represents the sector at symposia as well as exhibitions in foreign countries by own representation or by supply of information material. In particular it applies for federal promotion for foreign exhibitions on environmental technology and organises promoted common exhibition stands. The sales promotion by product directories is covered by the individual associations.