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The Electronica bi-annual trade show in Munich, Germany, is considered one of the leading trade shows in the electronics sector. It occurs once every two years in November at the Messe München Trade Fair Center in Munich, Germany.
In 2024, the Munich show turned 60 years old and profiled an impressive list of innovations in advanced electronics. The equally successful SEMICON Europa took place concurrently in two halls. As we enter 2025, let’s look back on the trends from this important trade show, and how they will play a role in the new year.
Electronica by the Numbers
From November 12 to 15, 3,480 exhibitors in 18 exhibition halls presented their innovations to about 80,000 visitors at the world’s leading trade fair. Key trends include the transition to digital technologies, sustainability, artificial intelligence, the future of mobility, achieving a carbon-neutral future, and the development of young talent, which sparked lively discussions across the presentation program.
Electronica shows no signs of slowing down. On the contrary, Messe München has added events in Asia with Electronica China, Electronica South China, and Electronica India.
Dr. Gunther Kegel, President of the German Electro and Digital Industry Association, commented that while the electronics industry has experienced challenging times lately, the current economic slowdown has not impacted the progress of electrification, digitalization, and automation.
While the industry has recently experienced a significant decline in sales after several strong years, Kegel is confident that electronic components are recovering. “What matters is that the framework conditions in Germany improve quickly,” he said.
Leading The Way Toward an All-electric Society
Topics discussed at Electronica 2024 in Munich included a future where all energy needs are met by CO2-neutral electricity that enables sustainable electrification and resource conservation.
This concept aims to combat climate change while securing energy supplies. This shift is more than a technological shift. It is a social change that will affect our lives in many ways.
In such a future, electric vehicles (EVs) will dominate the roads, smart grids will optimize energy supply, and artificial intelligence (AI) will increase efficiency. Key points for all companies working toward AES include sustainable energy sources, specifically, energy generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind power.
Storage and conversion will require new technologies for power plants and power-to-the-x technologies that will be needed to smooth out fluctuations in the sustainable energy supply. Perhaps the biggest challenge will be encouraging companies and consumers to reduce the use of fossil fuels. Getting rid of fossil fuels is the vision of the All-Electric Society (AES), which aims to reduce and ultimately eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
Sustainability in the Electronics Industry
Electronica 2024 profiled the All-Electric Society, which calls for more than just a technology change. It aims for a future where electricity is supplied by CO2-free electricity to combat climate change.
The All-Electric Society requires technological and social change that will transform lives. Electric vehicles are gaining ground in the automotive industry, competing with gasoline-powered cars, and will one day dominate the roads. Likewise, smart grids will optimize energy supply, and artificial intelligence (AI) will increase efficiency.
The vision of an All-Electric Society also includes a connected global system of renewable energy, intelligent storage, and affordable power for all. The AES describes a vision of the future in which all energy needs are met by CO2-neutral electricity.
It is a concept that aims to combat climate change while securing energy supplies. The AES is more than a technological shift. It is a social change that will affect our lives in many ways. In such a future, electric vehicles will dominate the roads, smart grids will optimize energy supply, and artificial intelligence (AI) will increase efficiency.
To make the vision a reality, Electronica 2024 focused on three key market segments:
1. The electronics industry. Discover how AI is optimizing energy supplies, creating new business opportunities, and leading the way to the All-Electric Society
2. The automotive industry. Find out how electrification and digitalization are revolutionizing automobiles.
3. The electronics industry. Harness sustainable energy to power machines and equipment.
The AES describes a vision of a future in which all energy needs are met by CO2-neutral electricity. It aims to combat climate change while securing energy supplies. This social change will affect our lives in many ways.
In such a future, electric vehicles will dominate the roads, smart grids will optimize energy supply, and artificial intelligence (AI) will increase efficiency.
Electronics is Driving the Green Revolution
At the heart of this year’s event was the drive to achieve carbon neutrality, with many exhibitors showcasing how electronics play a crucial role in environmental sustainability. From energy-efficient semiconductor solutions to IoT technologies that enable more innovative energy management, it is clear that the industry is stepping up to address climate challenges.
- Sustainable energy: Energy will be generated from renewable sources such as solar and wind power.
- Storage and conversion: Storage power plants and power-to-x technologies will be needed to smooth out fluctuations in energy supply.
- Reduce the use of fossil fuels: Aim to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of fossil fuels.
- Smart grids and renewable energy: Innovations in optimizing energy systems for greater efficiency.
- Circular economy: Efforts to design electronics for recyclability and longevity.
- Green electronics manufacturing: Reduce the environmental footprint of production processes.
Highlights from Electronics 2024
Supplyframe’s booth at Electronica 2024 included a full stage with a seating area for audience members. During the event, we hosted a number of presentations from leaders across our company, and the broader global manufacturing industry.
Here are the recordings:
Richard Barnett – State of the Electronics Value Chain
In this first recording, Supplyframe CMO Richard Barnett provides his perspective on where the global electronics industry stands, and where it’s heading.
“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do here at Supplyframe. For 20 years, we have developed a culture where our teams can pursue bold new ideas, take calculated risks, and push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Dave Youngblood – AVNET
In this recording, Dave Youngblood from AVNET, describes the future of digital engagement, and what his organization is doing to stay ahead of the curve.
“Engineers don’t have the design Cycles like they used to have, like when they were looking at data books and going through parametric selection on multiple different sites uh to find the right components now that they have all of that in one system, so yes, we’re moving pretty fast.”
Marius Wuestefeld – SE Spezial
In this recording, Marius Wuestefeld from SE Specizal share his experience working with Supplyframe, and how our solutions are changing the way they do business.
“Our customers need rapid prototyping so that we can offer the whole solution. It gives us a view of the entire market and all the processes from early design to producing the first prototypes.”
Lars Schlemmer – Siemens
In this recording, Lars Schlemmer from Siemens takes on a journey through Digital Threads, and the role they will play in the future of the industry.
“Threads are shaping digital transformation roadmaps across engineering, procurement, and supply chain. Finding an easy way to access an alternative source for a chip is important.”
Andrew Windscheffe – Siemens EDA
Join Andrew Windschedffe from Siemens EDA as he takes us through all the hallmarks of a resilient component, and why intelligence is key to making smarter sourcing decisions.
“Libraries are the end all, be all of EDA in terms of where they’re structured and how good they are. The data we get from the supply chain is also becoming more and more integral to our design process as well.”
Klaus Wandler – APAG Cosyst
In this recording, Klaus Wandler from APAG Cosyst explains how important cross-functional collaboration is for the organization, alongside real-time intelligence.
“Supplyframe has this one silo concept for all the information and data, which is excellent and exactly what we need to bring all the departments together on the same level.”
BOM Risk Management: A Supplyframe Design-to-Source Demo
In this final recording, two Supplyframe professionals take us through a demo of how Design-to-Source Intelligence transform risk management and BOM validation.
To learn more about Supplyframe and Design-to-Source Intelligence, visit Supplyframe.com today!