All eyes will be trained on Hannover Messe to see what shape this year’s event will take. The good news for the hydrogen and fuel cell sector is that the German trade show is indeed taking place. The bad tidings are that it will not be a face-to-face affair. Event organizer Deutsche Messe is, however, confident that the fair will still have plenty to offer.

Despite a one-year hiatus in traditional trade fair dealings, over 500 companies are expected to attend the digital edition of the Hannover Messe, according to the promoter. As usual, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will open the trade show – albeit this time via a live linkup.

Exhibition boss Jochen Köckler, whose early tenure renewal sees him remaining in the post for another five years, explained: “2020 was the most difficult year in our company’s history so far. […] 2021 will be a year of transition and preparing for a new start. […] In this regard, we are expanding our trade fairs with the addition of year-round digital offerings, getting our exhibition grounds 5G ready and planning entirely new events for 2022.” Elaborating on the response received so far, he said: “Our digital and hybrid offerings are in high demand within the market.”

Exactly how the Hydrogen + Fuel Cells Europe exhibition will look this year is still uncertain but it will be going ahead. At the beginning of March, a total of 39 exhibitors had signed up. Among them SFC Energy, which intends to present the fifth generation of its methanol-powered EFOY-Pro fuel cell that was unveiled at a virtual press conference on March 2, 2021.

Free tickets for trade visitors

Admission to the online trade fair normally costs EUR 19.95. Hydrogeit Verlag in partnership with H2-international magazine is again offering free entry tickets – as previously – to trade visitors via the code: YPV6y, www.hannovermesse.de.