INESC TEC participated in the Hannover Messe

Portugal was the partner country at the 2022 edition of the Hannover Messe, the largest industrial fair in the world, which took place between May 30 and June 2, in Germany. INESC TEC participated in the stand dedicated to Produtech – Production Technologies Hub, a comprehensive network of production technology suppliers that brought together representatives of different sectors.

The TEC4Industry initiative, which aims to promote an innovative, sustainable, and people-centred industry, was the driving force behind the participation of INESC TEC, in order to present main activity fields and sectors, lines of research and partnerships.

António Costa, Prime Minister of Portugal, was responsible for opening the event, stating that Hannover Messe “is a huge opportunity for companies, and that participating in the world’s largest showcase for those who produce or provide services for the industry is of the utmost importance”. On the way through the space with more than 2.500 exhibitors, António Costa visited the demonstration stand of INESC TEC, and acknowledged the importance of the research and development work done in Portugal.

Américo Azevedo and António Almeida, coordinator and business developer of TEC4Industry, respectively, led INESC TEC’s participation, highlighting the importance of joining this type of events. “The presence of INESC TEC at Hannover Messe, in the year Portugal presented the second largest foreign delegation of the fair, is quite important, not only to highlight what we’ve been developing internally within the scope of various R&D projects, but also to reinforce our synergies with the tech and industrial companies of our ecosystem,” said António Almeida.

Besides joining the exhibition component at the Hannover Messe, INESC TEC also participated in the conference programme of the event. On May 31, the panel discussion entitled “Digital Ecosystems”, within the framework of the conferences “Portugal Makes Sense”, featured João Claro, vice-chairman and CEO of INESC TEC, to present the work developed by the Institute, under the motto “Towards a more collaborative, human-centred and digital industry”. “In a panel that emphasised the excellence of the Portuguese digital innovation ecosystem for the industrial sector, INESC TEC presented its strategic priorities for action and the main roles played in this ecosystem, conveyed through some of the most significant projects that the Institute has been leading”, said João Claro.

Also on May 31, Américo Azevedo participated in the discussion that took place at the Dutch pavilion, entitled “Smart Skills for Smart Industry”, addressing the importance of transnational collaboration to adapt the competencies of European companies to changes in society.

After a two-year break due to the pandemic, the largest industrial fair in the world welcomed close to 75.000 visitors, thanks to a hybrid programme that combined colloquia, conferences and exhibition stands.

The next edition is already scheduled between April 17 and 21, 2023.

The INESC TEC researchers mentioned in this news piece are associated with INESC TEC and UP-FEUP.