Digitalization and sustainability – these will be the driving forces of our industry in the future. They are also reflected in the five key topics that have been defined for bauma 2022. The momentum generated by them will decisively shape markets, around the world.

As the opening of bauma approaches, the key topics defined for this year’s trade fair will be explored in a five-part webinar series organized in conjunction with the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association, VDMA.

• Construction methods and materials of tomorrow

Around the world, the construction machinery industry is tackling the challenges of today. The primary goal is to lower the amount of carbon dioxide released during the production of cement. Demolition materials should be better processed and reused in the future. New materials are also appearing on the scene.

3D printing, modular construction and new materials: The construction machinery industry and the mining industry are developing innovative construction methods and material solutions.

• The way to autonomous machines

The development of autonomous machinery for construction sites and mining operations is taking huge leaps forward, even if there is still a long way to go until full automation is reached. Automating and digitalizing construction processes and machinery will reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and ensure productivity in this age of skilled-worker shortages.

Human machine interfaces (HMI), assistant and safety systems, construction site robots and the downsizing trend: There are many milestones that still must be reached on the way to developing autonomous construction machinery and autonomous underground mining equipment.

• Mining – sustainable, efficient, reliable

How can mining profit from its digitalization and automation edge in the future? The mining industry already has a standard that is being used in the manufacturing process: open platform communication – unified architecture, or OPC UA. At the same time, environmental compatibility and recultivation are creating new challenges for the industry.

As the leading platform for the mining industry, bauma will focus intensely on the questions of the future for the mining industry for you. Live demonstrations will be complemented by the presentation of new research findings.

• Digital construction site

Digital planning and construction processes promise to create increased environmental protection, safety and, not least, cost effectiveness to go along with efficiency. The key pre-condition for these gains is a manufacturer-independent communication standard for machine-to-machine communications (M2M).

Data management, BIM, virtual and augmented reality and digital twins are increasingly playing a crucial role in the successful digital work on construction and mining sites.

• The way to Zero Emission

One goal for everyone – reducing greenhouse-gas emissions in the construction and construction machinery industry to zero.

Driving and working with hybrid and all-electric vehicles and construction machinery are two of the high-potential ways to cut emissions in the construction business. This is also the case with the development of CO2-reduced construction materials.