InnoDex Exhibition 2024: A Glimpse into the Future

For over a decade Prof. Dr. Sascha Peters, the manager and owner of Haute Innovations, Berlin, has brought the future to Elmia Subcontractor. Sustainable and cost-efficient material is a pressing issue for the manufacturing industry, and the width and depth of the exhibition’s material innovations, ensures that it is a crowd puller year after year. Prof. Dr. Sascha Peters develops further:

— The biggest challenge for companies in the supplier industry is currently to produce offers that fit into the concept of the circular economy. In this context, material innovations play a crucial role. For example, the use of a monomaterial for a high-quality technical requirement can have a decisive influence on the recyclability of the resources used.

Futuristic mobility: E-Bikes, drones, and hybrid aviation

Among the standout exhibits for this year is the Pocket Rocket from SOL Motors—a minimalist e-motorcycle that redefines the future of transportation with its sleek design and high-tech functionality. Complementing this is the Labfly, an innovation from a Berlin-based startup, and the first drone in Germany approved for transporting hazardous goods over urban areas. In the realm of air travel, Fraunhofer’s ACCESS research project presents a turbine designed to power the future of hybrid-electric flying — an exciting leap toward sustainable aviation.

In addition to that, this year’s exhibition also shines a spotlight on circularity, emphasizing developments that seamlessly integrate into the natural environment without causing harm. A Rotterdam startup has developed a piece of furniture made entirely from seaweed, using sustainable resources sourced from the sea. This innovation exemplifies how sustainable practices can revolutionize industries and create products that blend seamlessly into the natural world.

Driving Sustainability in Production

The increased integration of natural resources and technical biomaterials is pivotal in helping companies reduce CO2 emissions. The European Commission's heightened focus on mobility sustainability means that investments in these materials will yield long-term benefits. One such innovation on display at InnoDex is a car dashboard demonstrator from Volkswagen, designed with a unique rattan-based material, further emphasizing the role of sustainable materials in modern manufacturing – yet another one is a hybrid panel made of hemp/steel. Prof. Dr. Sascha Peters explains:

— Looking at the materials shaping the future of the subcontracting industry, the rise of technical biomaterials stands out. One of the most exciting innovations we're showcasing is a hemp/steel hybrid panel from the startup Composite EDGE. With its lightweight properties and reduced emissions, this material is a prime example of how natural fibers like hemp can replace carbon and glass fibers, offering sustainable solutions for industrial applications.

In the Advanced Materials section, the spotlight falls on a breakthrough glass material developed for bottles—virtually unbreakable, the result of a research project from the University of Bayreuth, now being commercialized by Berlin-based Soulbottles. This innovation exemplifies the kind of material science that can drastically improve product durability and sustainability.

Memorable moments at InnoDex

During his time at Elmia Subcontractor, Prof. Dr. Sascha Peters has experienced that several of the innovations and materials that participated in the exhibition found new uses and collaborations during the fair, both nationally and internationally. He shares a fond memory:

— Over the years, I've had many enriching conversations at the fair about material innovations that were on the cusp of entering the market. One of my favourite memories’ dates back to 2017 or 2018, when we exhibited a remarkable superhydrophobic surface structure developed by the University of Dresden. This technology, which allowed materials to remain ice-free at temperatures as low as -20°C, later captured the interest of a Swedish company looking to implement it in wind turbines. This cross-border collaboration resulted in ice-free rotor blades operating throughout winter without system shutdowns—a perfect example of how innovative technology can bridge countries and industries.