The Automatica Trend Index 2025 shows that companies in Germany are increasingly focussing on automation - including in the packaging industry. AI, assistance systems and flexible robot solutions should help to reduce production costs and cushion the shortage of skilled labour. Automation is opening up new opportunities for manufacturers of packaging machines in particular.
According to the new trend index for Automatica 2025, which was compiled in collaboration with the opinion research institute YouGov, almost half of German companies (46 per cent) intend to further automate their production within the next twelve months. The growing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the factory is particularly striking: 39 per cent of the companies surveyed are planning specific investments in AI-supported solutions. The goal: efficiency gains, quality assurance - and specifically also the reduction of labour shortages.
This opens up great potential for the packaging industry in particular. AI-supported systems can already be used today to check sealing seams, fill levels or labelling errors. The role of adaptive robotic solutions is also increasing in order picking, sorting and palletising processes. There is hardly any other industry where the requirements for speed, reproducibility and precision are so high - and this is precisely where many manufacturers expect to gain benefits from the targeted use of automation.
Automation as the answer to the shortage of skilled labour
According to the index report, 55 per cent of the companies surveyed complain of an acute shortage of qualified workers. This also affects packaging companies - particularly in the case of changing production, in clean room applications or in three-shift operation. The solution: automated assistance systems and flexible robot cells that can work economically even with short production runs or frequent changeovers. The fact that 43 per cent of companies are planning specific investments in robotics is an expression of this trend.
Stephanie Wehnelt, Project Manager of Automatica at Messe München, said: „The demand for customisable automation solutions has increased significantly - especially from the consumer goods and packaging industries. They expect solutions that can be flexibly integrated into existing lines and at the same time provide noticeable relief on the production side.“
Packaging machine manufacturers as drivers of innovation
The trend towards automation has a direct impact on the developers and manufacturers of packaging machines. More and more suppliers are integrating smart assistance systems, predictive maintenance or modular robot platforms directly into their systems. Solutions that can work efficiently with both film and paper materials are particularly in demand - a requirement that is becoming even more important in view of the sustainability goals of the Packaging Ordinance.
Looking ahead to Automatica, which will take place in Munich from 24 to 27 June 2025, Wehnelt announces: „The trade fair will show how far the industry has already come - and which solutions are now ready for industrial use. The networking of AI, robotics and mechanical engineering is no longer a future scenario, but a reality in many cases.“
Tailwind for smart packaging
The Automatica Trend Index 2025 emphasises the growing importance of intelligent automation. For the packaging industry - from mechanical engineering to contract packers to FMCG production - this opens up new room for manoeuvre. Those who rely on future-proof technology can make processes more robust, ensure quality and proactively counter the shortage of skilled labour.
To the complete study:
automatica Trend Index 2025 (PDF)
