Several trends are the impetus behind the current push to innovate in compressed air and vacuum technology. "First, oil-free compressed air is growing in importance – and not just for sensitive applications in areas like medical technology, pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs," explains Matthias Eichler, Marketing Manager of Boge Kompressoren. In light of greater ecological awareness, oil-free technologies are increasingly in demand for standard applications as well. In addition, digitalization has had an effect on the industry. "In the age of big data and Industry 4.0, compressed air systems and applications are becoming more intelligent and more closely integrated into complex industrial infrastructures," says Eichler.

Another trend is that customers are increasingly looking for turnkey solutions. "Customer demand for one-stop-shop providers has continued to grow unabated, and this is naturally a very pleasing development for global full-service providers such as Atlas Copco," says Reimund Scherff, Business Line Manager of Oil-free Air, Atlas Copco. In addition to machines, Atlas Copco sells solutions for generating compressed air, for compressing other industrial gasses such as nitrogen and oxygen, and for generating vacuums. The company also offers service agreements and financing.

The sector's latest solutions can be found at ComVac 2015. Topics at the world’s leading trade show for compressed air and vacuum technology range from generating, treating and distributing compressed and vacuum air, to its use in machines and systems, and to contracting and service offers. Leading companies dealing in compressed air and vacuum technology will be exhibiting at ComVac in Hall 26, including Aerzen, Almig, Atlas Copco, Boge, Busch, Dalgakiran Makina, Fini Nuair, Gardner Denver, Gebrüder Bücher, Ingersoll Rand, Kaeser, Oerlikon Leybold and Pfeiffer Vacuum.

"We're expecting to see a lot of innovation in the energy efficiency space. It will also be exciting to see how the compressed air and vacuum technology sector is shaping up as a partner for Industry 4.0," says Christoph Singrün, Managing Director, Compressor, Compressed Air and Vacuum Association within the German Engineering Federation (VDMA).

Ten simultaneous trade fairs make it easy in Hannover for exhibitors to come in contact with the most important buyer industries. "The world's largest industrial trade show not only provides a broad overview of the industrial sector, it also creates many synergy effects with key industrial users," explains Marc Siemering, Senior Vice-President, HANNOVER MESSE. Multiple points of overlap exist between ComVac and Motion, Drive & Automation (MDA). Modern vacuum systems and compressed air solutions are unthinkable without efficient power transmission and control technology. For example, electric motors serve as power engines for compressors, centrifuges, pumps and ventilators. On the other hand, compressed air powers tools and pneumatic machines.

In light of this strong synergy effect, MDA will be held in Halls 15 to 25, which surround ComVac in Hall 26. Individual exhibitors such as Parker Hannifin have stands at both trade fairs.

MDA ComVac