Politics & Associations

With the publication of the updated RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU on December 12, 2025, the European Union has formally confirmed the gradual ban on lead as an alloying component in electrical and electronic applications.

Dr. Kurt Schmalz and Dipl.-Ing. Wolfgang Schmalz received the Order of Merit from Baden-Württemberg.

Humanoid Agile ONE makes Physical AI tangible at the Hannover Messe 2026. Agile Robots brings the factory of the future to life with live demos and shows how Physical AI transforms industrial production.

The order intake in mechanical engineering has once again declined in February, and the mood of the companies is deteriorating. However, hope for a timid economic recovery remains.

The start of the year was disappointing, with mechanical engineering recording a 6 percent decrease in orders in January. The war in the Gulf region brings new uncertainty and burdens.

On January 27 and 28, 2026, around 30 members of the FDWF gathered at AHP Merkle in Gottenheim to reflect on current research activities and to set impulses for future projects.

The mechanical engineering industry in Germany ended the year 2025 with zero growth in the order books. Overall, the mood in the sector has recently brightened slightly.

Orders in US Manufacturing Technology reach record high in December 2025

Statement from the Association of German Machine Tool Manufacturers (VDW) on the situation of the German machine tool industry. Franz-Xaver Bernhard, the chairman of the VDW, speaks of technological leadership, economic policy reforms with speed and clear priorities.

Statement by VDMA President Bertram Kawlath on the tariff threat from US President Trump