By adopting "greentelligence" as its keynote theme, Hannover Messe 2012 has put the spotlight squarely on green technologies as a central growth driver for industry. Manufacturers the world over are facing an enormous challenge. To remain competitive in the long term, their products and processes have to be sustainable, environmentally friendly and efficient. Hannover Messe 2012, which runs from April 23-27, 2012, will help them rise to this challenge by providing them with a technology platform that gives them an overview of all the latest industrial innovations designed to facilitate sustainable business development. All major display categories will be on hand from automation, energy technologies, industrial supply and subcontracting services through to R&D.

"Next year's keynote theme of `greentelligence' will feature prominently across all Hannover Messe 2012 display categories. Manufacturers have come to realize that an intelligent mix of efficient processes, eco-friendly materials and sustainable products is critical to survival in today's highly competitive, dynamic international markets," said Dr. Wolfram von Fritsch, chairman of Deutsche Messe's Board of Management.

Hannover Messe 2012 will also see the premiere of IndustrialGreenTec. This latest addition to the line-up of flagship shows will present the full range of environmental technologies along multiple industrial value chains. Key themes at IndustrialGreenTec will include recycling and environmentally friendly waste disposal; water, soil and noise protection technologies; methods for lowering air pollution; approaches to the efficient use of renewable energy and renewable materials; and environmental services, from consulting through to certification.

Following its debut in 2011, the Metropolitan Solutions exhibition area will be back in 2012 with an expanded format. Globalization, climate change and the increasing rate of urbanization are posing huge challenges for cities and major urban centers around the world. The challenges can only be addressed by expanding and modernizing infrastructure. According to the experts, the most critical areas include energy, water/waste water and mobility systems as well as climate protection. State-of-the-art solutions in all of these areas will be presented by the companies participating in this year's Metropolitan Solutions showcase.

The People's Republic of China will be the official Partner Country of Hannover Messe 2012. The partnership was formalized in an agreement signed by Dr. Philipp Rösler, Germany's federal minister of economics and technology, and Miao Wei, China's minister of industry and information technology, during the China-Germany inter-government consultations that were held in Berlin last summer. Wolfram von Fritsch: "We are delighted to have China at our side as Partner Country at Hannover Messe 2012. We are confident that this partnership will be a boon to Sino-German trade relations and will be a major drawcard for exhibitors and trade visitors from around the globe. The partnership gives both exhibitors and visitors a unique opportunity to build their import and export business and to strengthen their commercial and R&D ties with China."