Manufacturing

Zebra Technologies is set to outline how an emerging “intelligence supercycle” is reshaping manufacturing and economic growth at Hannover Messe 2026.

From its presence in Hall 15, the company will present insights into how artificial intelligence (AI) and digitalisation are transforming industrial operations.

The shift is expected to redefine workforce skills, productivity and innovation. Industry forecasts suggest that within the next few years, a significant proportion of digital workers will rely on generative AI daily, while automation will increasingly influence decision-making and employee training. These developments are unfolding alongside persistent challenges such as supply chain disruption, talent shortages and intensifying competition.

Zebra argues that the most practical path forward lies not in pursuing artificial general intelligence, but in advancing Augmented Collective Intelligence (ACI), where human expertise and AI systems operate together. This approach is particularly relevant for frontline workers, who remain central to industrial performance.

According to Zebra’s connected factory research, more than half of manufacturers in Europe anticipate AI-driven growth by the end of the decade, with nearly all prioritising digital transformation. However, progress remains uneven. Misalignment between executive leadership, IT and operational teams, as well as uncertainty over implementation strategies, continues to slow adoption of Industry 5.0 frameworks.

Geopolitical pressures and trade shifts are also influencing manufacturing strategies. As companies explore re-shoring or relocating production closer to home markets, the need for robust traceability and visibility across supply chains is increasing. Ensuring compliance with quality and regulatory standards is becoming more complex as operations diversify geographically.

At the event, Zebra’s leadership team will host a series of discussions focused on building the connected factory. Topics will include data infrastructure, supply chain resilience and the practical application of AI on the shop floor. A key session will examine “AI in the moment”, highlighting how real-time intelligence, powered by on-device AI and advanced sensing technologies, can enable faster and more adaptive decision-making in operational environments.

Alongside its thought leadership programme, Zebra will showcase a range of partner-led demonstrations designed to illustrate real-world applications of connected factory solutions. These include systems for product authentication, quality inspection, and automated material handling, as well as tools that integrate AI into enterprise resource planning workflows.

By combining its own technologies with a broader partner ecosystem, Zebra aims to demonstrate how manufacturers can move beyond isolated digital initiatives towards fully integrated, data-driven operations. The company positions this shift as essential for improving efficiency, strengthening resilience and maintaining competitiveness in an increasingly complex industrial landscape.

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced plans to acquire an 80% stake in Italian recycling firm Eco Green, marking a further step in its international growth strategy and strengthening its presence in Europe’s secondary aluminium market.

The proposed transaction, subject to regulatory approval, will enhance EGA’s access to aluminium scrap supply chains and expand its recycling footprint across the continent. Eco Green specialises in scrap collection, sorting, casting and dross processing, handling more than 70,000 tonnes of material annually.

The company operates facilities in northeast Italy, including a site in Villafranca di Verona that manages around 23,000 tonnes of scrap each year. Part of this material is transferred to its Nogara di Verona plant, where over 20,000 tonnes of secondary aluminium products are cast annually alongside dross processing activities. An ongoing expansion at the Nogara facility is set to add a further 15,000 tonnes of recycling capacity, with completion expected in the second half of 2026.

Eco Green serves more than 60 customers across Europe, primarily in aluminium processing and semi-fabrication, with end markets spanning automotive, construction and wider industrial sectors. The business has also developed a broad sourcing network of more than 350 suppliers, ensuring a steady flow of raw materials.

Founded in 1993 by the Scappini family, Eco Green remains family-led and employs around 70 people. Its existing management team is expected to remain in place following completion of the deal.

EGA has been steadily building its global recycling capabilities, complementing its primary aluminium production. The company already operates the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant at Al Taweelah in Abu Dhabi and has acquired recycling assets in both Germany and the United States in recent years.

Once the Eco Green acquisition is finalised, EGA’s total recycling capacity is expected to exceed 400,000 tonnes per year across its global network, with an additional 200,000 tonnes under development in Europe and the US. The company markets its recycled aluminium under the RevivAL brand.

The move comes amid growing demand for recycled aluminium worldwide. Industry forecasts suggest demand could double by 2040, accounting for a significant share of supply growth over the coming decades. In Europe, recycled aluminium currently meets around 40% of total demand, with consumption projected to rise substantially in the years ahead.

EGA has been particularly active in expanding its European footprint. In 2024, it acquired German specialty foundry Leichtmetall and announced a major capacity expansion project at the site. In the United States, its subsidiary Spectro Alloys has also undergone recent upgrades, increasing production capacity and supporting further growth.

Recycling aluminium requires around 95% less energy than producing primary metal and results in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, making it a key component of the industry’s decarbonisation efforts.

Schneider Electric is set to highlight new progress in its collaboration with Microsoft at Hannover Messe, showcasing how joint innovations are helping manufacturers modernise operations and improve resilience.

At the centre of the partnership is Schneider Electric’s EcoStruxure Automation Expert platform, which provides a software-defined automation framework capable of operating across on-site, edge and hybrid environments. This is complemented by Microsoft’s Azure cloud and AI capabilities, which enable advanced data analysis, orchestration and optimisation of industrial processes.

Together, the companies are promoting a more integrated approach to manufacturing, where engineering, deployment and operations are connected through a single digital workflow. This model allows manufacturers to design automation systems once and deploy them across multiple sites without extensive reconfiguration, improving efficiency and consistency.

The approach also addresses growing industry challenges such as supply chain disruption, increasing product complexity and the need to modernise safely. By linking engineering design directly with operational execution, the platform enables better traceability, faster validation through simulation and more scalable operations.

Gwenaelle Huet, EVP of Industrial Automation at Schneider Electric, said the collaboration demonstrates a shift towards unified and interoperable manufacturing systems. “From agentic design to software-defined operations, we are enabling a single workflow that validates, simulates and deploys automation logic consistently across cloud and edge environments,” she explained.

Artificial intelligence plays a central role in this transformation. AI-driven tools can automate routine engineering tasks, validate system logic before deployment and reduce the time required to move from design to production. According to the companies, this has already resulted in significant time savings, with some engineering processes completed in a fraction of the time previously required.

In one example, the joint platform has been applied in a green hydrogen project with H2E Power, where it has supported thousands of hours of stable autonomous operation in a high-temperature industrial environment, while also helping to reduce production costs.

Dayan Rodriguez, Corporate Vice President for Manufacturing and Mobility at Microsoft, said the collaboration is helping bridge the gap between design and execution. “We are closing the loop from engineering intent to operational reality by automating decisions, validating processes early and enabling consistent deployment across environments,” he noted.

Visitors to Hannover Messe 2026 will be able to see live demonstrations of the technologies, including AI-driven engineering tools and open automation systems, as both companies continue to advance the next phase of digital manufacturing.

EMSTEEL has been named a 2026 Steel Sustainability Champion by the World Steel Association for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its position as a regional leader in low-carbon steel production.

The recognition, announced during the association’s board meeting in Berlin, highlights companies demonstrating strong commitment to sustainable practices across the global steel sector. EMSTEEL remains the only company from the MENA region to receive the distinction this year.

The award reflects the company’s continued focus on integrating sustainability into its operations. In 2025, EMSTEEL achieved a 34% reduction in absolute emissions compared to its 2019 baseline, while also improving emissions intensity across both its steel and cement businesses.

This progress has been supported by increased reliance on cleaner energy sources and ongoing efficiency improvements. A significant share of electricity consumption in its steel operations was covered by clean energy certificates, contributing to lower indirect emissions. At the same time, investments in carbon capture and energy optimisation have helped reduce direct emissions and enhance overall performance.

Eng. Saeed Ghumran Al Remeithi, Group CEO of EMSTEEL, said the recognition reflects consistent progress in advancing lower-carbon industrial practices. “Being recognised once again as a worldsteel Sustainability Champion reflects the tangible progress we are making in advancing lower-carbon steel production,” he said.

He added that the company has moved from strategy to execution, implementing key initiatives while maintaining operational strength. “Our focus remains on delivering practical and scalable solutions that support the transition to lower-carbon industries,” he noted.

EMSTEEL has also advanced innovation efforts, including the introduction of new technologies and circular economy initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact. The company continues to collaborate with international partners to support broader decarbonisation goals and contribute to long-term sustainability targets in the UAE.