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Digitalization & Industrie 4.0
Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning: The digital transformation has long since arrived in mechanical engineering. However, the associated dynamics repeatedly present every company with the challenge of recognizing and successfully exploiting existing digitization potential.

Themenfeldgrafik Digitalisierung und Industrie 4.0

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

From our content

From our content
VDMA launches DPP for Machinery initiative

The development of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) is progressing rapidly, but the regulatory requirements and practical implementation are still unclear, especially for small and medium-sized companies. A

umati at the WIN EURASIA

From May 28 to 31, 2025, the manufacturing world will gather in Istanbul for WIN EURASIA, one of the leading industrial trade fairs in the Eurasian region.

Exclusion from works council due to data protection breach

Forwarding of personal employee data by works council member via private email account justifies exclusion from works council

3rd General Meeting of the VDMA Wireless Communications for Machines

The General Assembly of VDMA Wireless Communications for Machines took place on May 6/7, 2025 in Frankfurt.

GDPR violation according to works agreement

Compensation after loss of control of data

Unauthorized publication of health data

Disclosure of health data by employers can lead to compensation.

GenAI implementation progress highest in IT

As part of the online event "Generative AI - Identifying potential, seizing opportunities", a survey was conducted among participants on 29.04.25 to obtain an up-to-date picture of the current mood.

Interface standardization in battery production ensures sovereignty an

The production of modern batteries requires complex production lines and therefore presents companies with considerable challenges in production.

VDMA measurement and testing technology at Automatica 2025

VDMA Measuring and Testing Technology will be exhibiting together with member companies at Automatica 2025 in Munich. The renowned trade fair will present the latest developments and innovations in automation technology from June 24 to 27, 2025

AI in industry - examples and suggestions from practice

A new VDMA white paper uses case studies to show how artificial intelligence is already being used in processes, products and business models in mechanical and plant engineering.

AI in industry - examples and suggestions from practice

The new VDMA white paper uses case studies to show how artificial intelligence is already being used in processes, products and business models.

Tension between GDPR and corporate law

The German Federal Court of Justice keeps up its consistent line in decisions on company rights in relation to data protection in contrast to the ECJ, which restricted shareholders' right to information in September last year.

Importance of industrial security in mechanical engineering

Industrial security is increasingly important in mechanical engineering as networked systems face growing attacks. The VDMA calls for EU-wide standards and SME support to meet security needs.

Mastering challenges in NRW - securing the future

Strengthen the resilience of your company. Our series of events shows ways to restructure in the mechanical and plant engineering industry in North Rhine-Westphalia - compact, practical and future-oriented.

The BGH makes it easier to issue warnings for data protection violations

The BGH has confirmed that data protection violations can be prosecuted not only by the data subjects themselves, but also by competitors and consumer associations.

Non-material damages due to data protection breach

The BAG specifies the requirements for non-material claims for damages under Art. 82 para. 1 GDPR.

Pioneering the Future of mining

At the bauma trade fair in Munich, a groundbreaking demonstrator unveiled the future of mining operations through the integration of the OPC UA Companion Specifications: The OPC 40560 series provides standardized OPC UA information models for mining.

QM Corner: Focus on AI and data protection

AI in quality management: exploiting opportunities, recognizing risks - at the QM Corner, experts discussed data protection, security and the responsible use of AI.

Progress of Digitalization and Interoperability in Mining

How can digital technologies and interoperability make mining more efficient and sustainable?

Publication of OPC UA Companion Specification - OPC 40570

The Sector Group VDMA Productronics and VDMA Machine Information Interoperability announce the publication of the OPC UA Companion Specification for Wire Harness Manufacturing OPC 40570.

Fluid Power - Enabling Future Technologies March 9-11, 2026 in Aachen, Germany

As one of the world's largest scientific conferences on fluid power, it offers users, manufacturers and scientists an international forum for exchanging experiences on hydraulic and pneumatic drives and systems.

EU-US Data Privacy Framework

The current EU-US Data Privacy Framework constitutes a legal basis for the transfer of personal data to the USA. How do current political developments affect this data transfer instrument?

"Seizing the opportunities of industrial AI"

The EU's action plan emphasizes the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence. There is a lot of potential for AI, especially in industrial applications. Small-scale regulations must not stand in the way of this.

Digital transformation: interoperability plays a central role

In this interview, Rene Hirschmugl reveals the importance of interoperability in the industry and why he sees OPC UA Companion Specifications as a great opportunity.

Joint Working Group "OPC UA for Wireless Machine Tool Peripherals"

New release candidate OPC 40505 published. The Joint Working Group "OPC UA for Wireless Machine Tool Peripherals" has developed the OPC UA Companion Specification 40505 and submitted it to the OPC Foundation as a release candidate.

"Good partnerships for open markets"

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.

Optimized energy savings thanks to innovative standards

A consortium of organizations has published a groundbreaking specification for interoperable and efficient energy management in industrial automation and process automation.

2nd edition of the VDMA FAQ on the AI Act available

The AI Act entered into force 2 August 2024. A VDMA FAQ document was prepared together with the law firm FPS to provide non-binding guidance, now available as 2nd edition.

Cyber resilience on the rise - but no all-clear

A new VDMA study shows: for the first time, social engineering and phishing are the biggest cyber threats to companies, followed by human error and sabotage

Artificial intelligence for greater profitability in mechanical engineering

A new study shows: The targeted use of Generative Artificial Intelligence can increase the profit margin in mechanical and plant engineering by up to 10.7 percentage points. This corresponds to an additional profit of 28 billion euros.

Are you shaping the future of container glass production with OPC UA?!

The glass industry is undergoing a transformation: Digital connectivity, automation, and data-driven process optimization are no longer future concepts but key factors for competitiveness and efficiency.

“Thorough state reform necessary now to overcome paralysis in Germany”

The machinery industry is calling for a thorough state reform in Germany to increase industrial competitiveness. The EU, too, must get the economic development in Europe back on track.

Connected Machines: Experience Interoperability Live

At automatica 2025, see how machines communicate in a common language with OPC UA. Visit us in Hall B5 to experience the latest live demonstrations and practical examples of interoperability!

AKT 2025 with a focus on autonomy and interoperability

This year, the VDMA Technical Working Group (AKT) once again demonstrated how crucial the exchange of ideas within the agricultural machinery industry is.

ECJ ruling on works agreements

Company agreements must be fully GDPR-compliant.

Data spaces become reality

VDMA and T-Systems, together with the umati initiative, are presenting the first global Manufacturing-X solution with open standards for machine data at this year's Hannover Messe.

Manufacturing-X at the Hannover Messe 2025

Find out where you can get information from the VDMA

Call for applications for "Allianz Industrie 4.0 AWARD Baden-Württemberg

We honor outstanding companies that demonstrate the innovative strength in Baden-Württemberg with excellent digitalization solutions, highly innovative developments and holistic transformation projects.

Baden-Württemberg joint stand: Innovations made in THE LÄND

In cooperation with Baden-Württemberg International, the Industry 4.0 Baden-Württemberg Alliance is once again participating with a joint stand in the Digital Ecosystems area. 25 exhibitors will present trend solutions for digitalization. Visit u

Interoperability live at bauma!

The VDMA Mining & Minerals OPC UA demonstrator at bauma 2025 - a fascinating example of how modern communication technologies can shape the future of mining.

Draft bill for the German national Data Act Implementation Act

The draft bill for the German national Data Act Implementation Act was published at the beginning of February. To effectively implement the Data Act the draft bill needs to be adopted rather sooner than later.

VDMA guidance on data sharing under the EU Data Act

The VDMA has developed a guidance to provide non-binding orientation on the data sharing obligations under the EU Data Act.

OPC UA in Battery Cell Manufacturing: Progress of the Working Group

Together for Unified, Global Standards – An Insight into the Structure and Working Methods of the New Working Group for Interface Standardization in Battery Cell Manufacturing.

Looking for a suitable wireless solution? The guide offers selection assistance

VDMA WCM is presenting the Wireless Communications Guide (WCG) at the Hannover Messe. This proves to be a practical tool for selecting industrial wireless technologies.

Looking for a suitable wireless solution? WCG offers selection help

VDMA WCM presents the Wireless Communications Guide (WCG) at the Hannover Messe. The WCG proves to be a practical tool for selecting industrial wireless technologies.

EU Commission publishes guidelines on prohibited AI systems

On February 4, 2025, the EU Commission published guidelines to provide an overview of the AI systems that have been banned in the EU since this February.

Smart manufacturing: the path to the future

The United States is expanding its manufacturing capabilities by investing in a network of institutes, each specializing in a specific area, for example technology or workforce development.

Data Spaces: the key to digital sovereignty

Data Spaces enable secure data exchange and unlock untapped potential. Hannover Messe 2025 offers the ideal platform to present the current state of the industry.

Focus on interoperability: umati at Hannover Messe 2025

At Hannover Messe (31 March to 4 April 2025), the umati initiative will once again be represented with its own stand in Hall 9, Stand F25.

Software Engineering - Current activities

The continuous development of software-based solutions enables companies to react more agilely to market changes and strengthens their competitive position.

VDMA Magazin Teaser Digitalisierung & Industrie 4.0

Manufacturing-X: A data ecosystem for everyone
Manufacturing-X is a joint initiative of business, politics and science. Companies should be able to use data confidently and jointly across the entire manufacturing and supply chain.
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Our expert and focus topics

Our expert and focus topics
Manufacturing-X
Industry 4.0 needs easily available, secure and consistent data networking. Manufacturing-X is designed to make this possible. The goal is to establish a data ecosystem that enables trustworthy data exchange between companies based on open standards and offers companies digital sovereignty.
Artificial Intelligence
Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence and machine learning. At VDMA, there are already many organizational units that are examining the topic more closely. Here, you can gain some insight into all the activities that the VDMA is conducting on the topic of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence.
Cybersecurity
When it comes to security at the VDMA, everything revolves around protecting machines and systems in production, manufacturing or intralogistics from attacks and disruptions. The aim of these organizational and technical protective measures is to develop cyber-resilient machines and systems and trustworthy services while reliably maintaining their permanent operation.
EU Data Act
The EU Data Act reorganises data traffic between companies. The aim of the European Commission is to promote the creation of data spaces in Europe and enable new digital business models. The consequences are far-reaching and represent both an opportunity and a risk.
Platform economy
The mechanical engineering industry is successfully advancing the digital transformation. So far, this has primarily concerned manufacturing, but in the future it will also involve new business models. Digital platforms and the associated platform economy are going to play an ever more prominent role, and value creation in the mechanical engineering industry is increasingly taking place via digital services.
OPC UA
As an open interface standard, OPC UA is a central prerequisite for the successful introduction of Industrie 4.0 in production. OPC UA ensures the interoperability of machines and systems, which can be linked and redesigned as required via Plug & Work - platform-independent and cross-manufacturer.
Wireless Communications
Reliable, robust and secure data transmission is at the heart of digital transformation in industry. With increasing digitization, data transmission is becoming more and more the central nervous system in industrial application areas where wired infrastructure is sometimes reaching its limits.
The INDUSTRY PODCAST of the VDMA
The audio blog for trend topics from mechanical and plant engineering
Interoperability
Interoperability is a key pillar of efficient digital transformation and the long-term positioning of every company in the global market, as information can only be shared and utilised easily, securely and at scale through interoperably designed value chains and data ecosystems.
AGV Mesh-Up
The AGV Mesh-Up is a live test event for the VDA 5050 communication interface. Companies can test the interface suitability of their vehicles and master control systems in front of an audience.
Intelligent Production
Industry 4.0 necessitates changes at all corporate levels and throughout the entire value chain. Industry 4.0 is associated with a new way of thinking about the organization of processes. Ultimately, what counts for companies is creating added value.

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Auf den Punkt Zitat Digitalization

"The EU Data Act is probably one of the most complex legislative projects of recent times."

Jan Paul Marschollek, VDMA Legal Department

Auf den Punkt Zahl Digitalization

55

percent

The proportion of companies reporting negative effects from security incidents has fallen from just under 70 per cent in 2019 to 55 percent. For the first time, social engineering and phishing are the biggest cyber threats to companies, followed by human error and sabotage.

Source: VDMA

Auf den Punkt Zusammenfassung Digitalisierung

Study: Generative AI
Artificial intelligence for greater profitability in mechanical engineering

The study recommends that companies specifically categorize GenAI use cases:

  • Gamechangers with a direct impact on the profit and loss account
  • Must-haves to sustainably increase profitability
  • Hyped use cases that only have a limited impact on supporting processes

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Aus unseren Inhalten

Our services

Our services
Publication overview Software and Digitalization
Our publications deal with various aspects of digitalization in mechanical engineering companies as well as cybersecurity and information security and serve as recommendations for action.
Consultation offer Digitization and Industry 4.0
The competence overview for mechanical and plant engineering regarding the range of consulting offered by software manufacturers. This enables companies to pinpoint appropriate first steps in addressing the respective issues within their value chain, and to utilize this expertise in finding their own individual path toward digitalization and Industry 4.0.
Database OPC UA Companion Specifications
In our database you can find all Companion Specifications created by VDMA working groups. The entries can be browsed, filtered by output period and downloaded as an Excel file.
Online Library Digitalization & Industrie 4.0
The VDMA accompanies and supports its members on the way to Industrie 4.0. Here you will find an overview of the current publications on the topic.
Working Groups Software and Digitalization and Information technology
Our working groups deal with various aspects of digitalization in mechanical engineering companies, standardization aspects and serve the intensive exchange of experience among members.
Expert Group Machine Learning
Among other things, the VDMA committee develops Use Cases on the topic of Machine Learning.
40 OPC UA working groups
The VDMA coordinates the activities of around 40 working groups that are defining a common, cross-industry language between machines and plants in the form of "OPC UA Companion Specifications".

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Plattform Industrie 4.0
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Allianz Industrie 4.0 Baden-Württemberg
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Labs Network Industrie 4.0
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Maschinenbau-Institut

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Largest industry network in Europe

3,600 primarily medium-sized member companies in the capital goods industry make the VDMA the largest industrial association in Europe and the most important network organization in the industry.

Strong representation of interests

The VDMA is the most important voice of the machinery and equipment manufacturing industry. It represents the common economic, technical and scientific interests of the industry in Germany and around the world.

A wide range of services

More than 500 VDMA employees worldwide support you with practical services to make the right decisions in your company - along the entire value chain.