Billed as the largest trade fair for the construction industry in the world, bauma 2025 returns to Munich April 7-13.
Construction is well under way for bauma 2025, as several key machine manufacturers have already built their outdoor exhibits late last year, and more are descending on the Munich exhibition center throughout the coming months. Nearly 4,000 exhibitors are signed up for the event that runs April 7-13, with about 200 companies highlighted under the hydraulics space.
Billed as the world’s leading trade fair for construction machinery, building material machines, mining machines, construction vehicles and construction equipment, bauma will continue to focus on digitization and sustainability. As a result, these themes will be reflected in the five key topics that bauma will address: climate neutrality, alternative drive concepts, networked construction, sustainable construction, and mining challenges. From Monday to Friday, the bauma Forum will focus on one of these key topics. The program will consist of brief presentations, panel discussions and keynote presentations. Exhibitors will also present products and innovations from these areas.
Image courtesy Messe München
Nicole Schmitt, Exhibition Director of bauma, has said that the event is on track to be once again the largest show for the mobile machine industry. “We are very pleased with the overall positive feedback from the industry,” Schmitt said. “But I can already say that we are on the right track on the exhibitor side.”
On the OEM side, numerous well-known companies will once again use bauma to showcase their products. The returning companies include Volvo, Deutz, Liugong, CNH, Skyjack and JLG. Joining their ranks for the first time are such companies as Fortescue, DSI/Sandvik, HG—100% electric dumpers, EXiron AG, Gravis Robotics AG, Metso Oyj, rockrobot oy, Wabtec Corporation and WEICO GmbH. Around 150 new exhibitors will be at bauma 2025 as well.
Key fluid power exhibitors will include Argo-Hytos, Bosch Rexroth and HydraForce Hydraulics, Bucher Hydraulics, Cassappa, Danfoss Power Solutions, HAWE, Husco International, Hydac International, Hydreco Hydraulics, Hydro Leduc, Intertraco, Kawasaki Precision Machinery, Linde Hydraulics, Marzocchi Pompe, Moog Construction, Parker Hannifin, Rheintacho, SIKO, Spir Star Stucchi, Sun Hydraulics, Teleradio, Walvoil, Webtec, and many more.
Machine innovations take center stage
In networked construction, digital technologies and communication systems are integrated into the construction process, which improves collaboration and efficiency. For example, attachments supply process data and communicate with the respective carrier machines. A standardized digital language is required for this communication to also work regardless of the manufacturer. Thanks to a new common universal protocol, the carrier machine recognizes which attachment is to be used, which parameters it needs to function, and whether it is even suitable for use on this machine. “Accidents caused by incorrectly closed quick hitches, unsuitable hydraulic pressure or incorrectly dimensioned attachments can thus be reliably avoided,” said Dr. Darius Soßdorf, Managing Director of the MiC 4.0 working group at the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (vdma). The working group includes manufacturers of construction machinery and sensors, software companies, and construction firms.
A main focus of the event will be on advancing digitalization of construction machinery, where users receive increasing amounts of data which not only show them the condition of the machines, but also provide valuable information on their performance and work quality. More efficient fuel routes can be developed based on current consumption data, while machine deployment can be optimized by accurately recording respective capacity utilization. A new function of the telematics system from Bobcat shows that the information flow does not have to be a one-way street from the machine to the operator. The engine of wheel loaders, mini excavators, etc. can be remotely deactivated — and also reactivated — by the owner with just a few clicks. That prevents unauthorized use and theft, which can result in lower insurance premiums, among other things.
On the basis of digital information, and given the shortage of skilled workers, even less experienced machine operators can avoid slight errors and accidents and achieve very good work results. For example, the construction machinery manufacturer Develon, formerly known as Doosan Construction Equipment, together with surveying specialist Leica Geosystems, recently started offering 3D machine control as a retrofit option for one of its crawler excavator models. Design information and real-time cut/fill indications are displayed on the control panel in the cab so that the driver can carry out the excavator work exactly according to the reference model.
Sensors are a prerequisite for the digitalization of construction machinery, including developing assistance and autonomy systems. For example, they register the boom and bucket position, are used for fluid management, or help detect structural loads and damage.
Focus on research and innovation
Eleven research institutions will present innovative projects at the bauma Science Hub. Among other things, the Technical University of Munich will present autonomous solutions for bulk goods transportation and a paving robot. The University of Duisburg-Essen will demonstrate a cable robot for precise use on construction sites, and the Technical University of Dresden will present ways to avoid accidents by using a mobile excavator that can recognize human beings.
bauma 2025 will also offer young, innovative companies the opportunity to present their ideas. Almost 50 start-ups have registered to showcase their innovations and developments related to the main topics of bauma, including mobile robot technologies, the development of digital twins of construction sites, alternative drive systems, ultrasonic technology in concrete production, autonomous crane solutions for digital construction sites in rough terrain, as well as end-to-end and other software solutions that help companies in the office and on the construction site.
Additionally, hydrogen, efuels, battery electrics, and other innovative drive concepts will be explored throughout the show floor and daily presentations. bauma highlights the growth of battery electrics, with data from consulting firm IDTechEx predicting that the global market for electric construction machinery will be worth $105 billion by 2042. For hydrogen, one OEM presented two hydrogen combustion engines in 2022, and will have series production this year. Live demonstrations of such machinery will be announced in March.
Visit bauma.de to learn more and register.
