On April 21, 2026, experts and companies gathered at the Hannover Messe as part of the neext Industry Walk & Talk titled “Digital meets Sustainable: Innovations Along the Value Chain” to discuss the future of industrial transformation.

The focus was on how sustainable and digital transformation can be approached holistically along the industrial value chain—because real change does not come from isolated individual solutions, but from the interplay of processes, data, systems, and operational workflows.

Together with Drees & Sommer, Bechtle, Microsoft, and ebm-papst neo, we explored key questions:

• How can a consistent data foundation be created, and how can IT and OT be meaningfully integrated?
• Where is Industrial AI already creating real added value today, and how can pilot projects be successfully transferred into operational practice?

Particularly compelling was the comprehensive overview of the entire value chain: from AI-ready production environments and digital factory planning, through scalable IT infrastructures and integrated data spaces, to intelligent control systems, efficiency gains, and tangible results in day-to-day operations.

The joint exchange impressively demonstrated how closely digitalization and sustainability are intertwined and the potential that lies in integrated solutions for the industry of the future.

Our conclusion: The technological possibilities already exist. The central challenge today lies primarily in end-to-end connectivity, the scaling of solutions, and consistent implementation throughout the entire industrial lifecycle.

A heartfelt thank you to all participants, as well as to our hosts and partners, for the inspiring insights, open dialogue, and engaging discussions.

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