Global incoming orders for measurement technology and process automation grew in the low single-digit percentage range between January and September 2025, according to the ZVEI Automation Association. Companies recorded positive growth in the oil and gas (high single-digit growth), water and wastewater and pharmaceuticals (both mid-single-digit growth) customer sectors. In terms of turnover, on the other hand, there has so far only been a lateral movement compared to the previous year.
From a regional perspective, the Middle East region (high single-digit growth) and India (mid single-digit growth) have been strong in the year to date. Many Asian countries (excluding China) are also developing positively (low single-digit growth). Europe excluding Germany remains stable. By contrast, Germany and China are declining slightly (low single-digit decline). The trend in Germany is due in particular to the chemical industry and other industries with high energy requirements, such as pulp and paper.
ZVEI Automation Association expects further growth
Axel Lorenz, Chairman of the Measurement Technology and Process Automation division of the ZVEI Automation Association, is cautiously optimistic about 2026: "Worldwide growth in oil and gas, water/wastewater and pharmaceuticals is expected to continue to drive incoming orders and sales. Risks arise from international tariffs, regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act and the shortage of skilled labour," says Lorenz. "Incoming orders in 2026 are expected to grow slightly again compared to the low previous year. We expect impetus from intact global trends such as energy optimisation, digitalisation and the sustainability efforts of our customers."
In September, the members of the Metrology and Process Automation Division appointed their new board members for the term of office from 2025 to 2028:
- Axel Lorenz (Chairman, Siemens),
- Dr Attila Bilgic (Deputy Chairman, Krohne),
- Dr Mirko Lehmann (Deputy Chairman, Endress + Hauser),
- Jessica Bethune (Schneider Electric),
- Johannes Kalhoff (Phoenix Contact),
- Ralf Küper-Rampp (Emerson),
- Ulrich Pichler (Yokogawa) and
Process automation exports twice as high as imports
With a turnover of 26.8 billion euros, process automation in Germany generated a good 12% of the electrical and digital industry's total turnover in 2024 and employed 129,400 people at the end of the year. At 18.3 billion euros, exports were almost twice as high as imports (10.1 billion euros).
Further information can be found at www.zvei.org/verband/fachverbaende/fachverband-automation.
