One of the world's largest trade shows for the construction and mining equipment sectors, bauma, is set to take place October 24-30, 2022 in Munich, Germany. In addition to a wide range of new off-road machinery, the show will also highlight a variety of fluid power, motion control and other technologies used within these machines.
Hydraulics component and system suppliers in particular will be well represented during the event as their use remains vital in construction and mining equipment. Mobile applications will continue to be a growth area for the hydraulics industry with many countries around the world investing in infrastructure projects. A recent report from Interact Analysis indicates growth in mobile hydraulics will continue in the coming years, although it will likely be at a slower rate due to supply chain and other economic factors.
READ MORE: Mobile Hydraulics Market Rebound in 2021 Leads to Positive Future
bauma is considered one of the largest shows in the construction and mining industries not only for its sheer size but also the number of companies from around the world which exhibit at it as well as the amount of attendees it draws. The last show, held in 2019, encompassed 614,000 m2 of exhibition space for over 3,500 exhibitors. Show organizer Messe München states on the show's websites the show drew 627,603 attendees from more than 217 countries.
Industry Readies for bauma 2022
The 2022 edition of bauma is also expected to draw large crowds. In January 2022, Messe München reported 97% of the available exhibition space was confirmed which it said in a press release indicated a strong desire from the market for a return to trade shows.
"In the personal conversations we have with exhibitors and visitors, we hear one thing over and over again: They are really looking forward to having face-to-face discussions and, of course, to experiencing the special atmosphere that only bauma can create," said Klaus Dittrich, Chairman and CEO of Messe München, in the organization's press release reporting the industry's anticipation for the event.
Like many events over the past 2 years, there was uncertainty over whether or not bauma would still be held in 2022 after many events in 2020 and 2021 were cancelled due to the global pandemic. The event typically takes place in April — and is on an rotating schedule with CONEXPO/IFPE and INTERMAT — but was pushed to October for 2022 given the state of the pandemic in 2021 and the amount of time necessary for exhibitors and show organizers to prepare.
But as Messe München reported in January, the industry appears ready for large events once again. In October 2021, it said many exhibitors felt confident about the safety of the event being held after seeing the safety measures put in place by the exhibition venue for another international event. As of publishing this piece, there are no restrictions for visiting the exhibition grounds although Messe München recommends mask wearing when indoors and people keeping a distance of at least 1.5 m.
Key Industry Topics to be Highlighted
bauma 2022 will shine a light on the many technologies and trends impacting the construction and mining equipment industries. Messe München states on the event's website that digitalization and sustainability will be the driving forces for these industries in the future. They are also part of the key topic areas under which the event is organized, again highlighting the trends most important to construction and mining:
- Construction methods and materials of tomorrow
- The way to autonomous machines
- Mining – sustainable, efficient, reliable
- Digital construction site
- The way to Zero Emission
Many of these topics are either related to or areas in which fluid power and other motion control manufacturers are working such as automation. Integration of sensors and software is enabling automation of many aspects — from movement of individual components to machine tasks such as digging and even fully autonomous operation in some applications.
Automation is seen as a way to help improve job site efficiency and productivity, as well as overcome some of the labor challenges facing the construction and mining industries. As such, it is a key area many manufacturers are investing their development efforts and will impact many systems within heavy equipment.
READ MORE: New Autonomous Operation Cluster Advancing Autonomy in Off-Highway Equipment
At bauma 2022 it is anticipated several companies will showcase their latest automation solutions. This will include cobots and mobile robots, both of which are making their way into the construction and mining industries according to Messe München. Advancements in sensor technology and other motion control technologies as well as these robots' ability to aid with certain job site tasks have helped to increase their availability which is likely to continue growing.
Sustainability and creation of equipment which produces fewer emissions is also an area in which many fluid power and other motion control manufacturers are working. This has taken many forms such as manufacturers adding electrification solutions to their product lines — as Bosch Rexroth has done with the recent release of its eLION portfolio of high-voltage components for off-highway equipment — or the improvement of component performance to increase efficiency and reduce energy use.
Again, various solutions for achieving sustainability goals are anticipated to be on exhibit during bauma 2022. OEMs and component suppliers alike are expected to highlight electrification and other technologies aimed at reducing emissions and aiding sustainability efforts. Danfoss Power Solutions, for instance, showed the first models of its Digital Displacement Pump (DDP), which is designed to offer a higher level of efficiency and can aid electrification of machines, at the 2019 event. A recent LinkedIn post from the company indicates its plans to highlight solutions which will enable electrification, as well as autonomy and digitalization.
Equipment manufacturer Komatsu has announced plans to premiere several electric machines during bauma 2022. Among these is the PC4000-11 excavator. It is an electrically driven hydraulic excavator; use of electric drive helps to reduce the amount of energy needed from the machine's diesel engine which leads to a reduction in fuel use and emissions.
Caterpillar Inc. has also announced plans to unveil electric-powered equipment during the show which are currently under development. During the global mining event MINExpo 2021, the company announced that from 2030 on 100% of its new products will be more sustainable than previous generations. Battery-electric powered equipment is a part of this effort as well as machines designed to provide lower fuel consumption such as its new Cat 336 hydraulic excavator. According to the company's press release announcing the launch of the 336 excavator, a smart mode option matches engine and hydraulic power to the digging conditions to reduce fuel consumption.
bauma Innovation Awards
A highlight of each bauma show is the presentation of its Innovation Awards which honors the latest technologies introduced for the construction and mining industries. Entries could be submitted in five categories:
- Category 1 Climate protection
- Category 2 Digitalisation
- Category 3 Mechanical engineering
- Category 4 Building
- Category 5 Research.
Currently there are 41 finalists in the running for a bauma Innovation Award. Bosch Rexroth, Continental, and Liebherr-Components are among the component manufacturers who have made it to the list of finalists.
From the list of finalists a jury of industry experts will select three nominees in each category; these 15 innovations are to be announced in September. The day prior to the start of bauma, a ceremony will be held during which the winners of the Innovation Award, one in each category, will be announced.
