Three years after the last major Industry 4.0 assessment, it is clear that German companies have caught up significantly. While 7 per cent of industrial companies believed they had missed the boat in 2022, this figure has fallen to 1 per cent in 2025. This means that 71 per cent are already using specific Industry 4.0 applications – a remarkable leap from 65 per cent in 2022.
Paragraph

A recent Bitkom study of 552 industrial companies paints a picture of an industry in transition. Forty-two per cent now use artificial intelligence in production, and digital twins have evolved from a niche topic to the norm. The technology has long since arrived in factories. But in the global race, China is now in the lead, followed by the USA – Germany is in third place and needs to step on the gas to regain the top position.

Companies continue to invest in the future

60 percent of companies rate their current economic situation as poor or very poor. But instead of putting digitalisation on hold, the industry is showing perseverance: although 42 percent say that the economic situation is slowing down their digitalisation, 80 percent plan to maintain at least the same level of investment in Industry 4.0 for 2025. And 36 percent even want to invest more than in the previous year.

This shows that companies have understood that digitalisation is not a luxury, but a survival strategy. ‘Industry 4.0 is indispensable for remaining competitive internationally,’ say 96 percent of respondents, an increase of 5 percentage points compared to 2022. The crisis is not seen as a reason for stagnation, but as an argument for accelerated transformation.

AI conquers the factory floor

With 42 per cent AI usage in production, Germany has taken a significant step forward. Analytics leads the way with 32 per cent practical AI use, followed by robotics (19 per cent) and machine configuration (16 per cent). The potential is widely recognised: 74 per cent see great potential for AI in robotics, 85 per cent in energy management.

82 percent of companies are convinced that the use of AI will be crucial for competitiveness in the future. The willingness to invest is there, and the technology is available. Challenges remain: 42 percent complain about a lack of expertise, and 50 percent are waiting to see what experiences others have. But the direction is right, and targeted training programmes can close this gap.

Digital twins: A German success story

Digital twins have been a real success story over the last three years. In 2022, only 33 per cent of companies were using this technology, but today the figure is already 48 per cent. That represents growth of almost 50 per cent. A further 25 per cent are planning or discussing its use. Germany has achieved a breakthrough in this area in a very short space of time.

Companies have recognised the strategic value: 63 per cent consider digital twins to be indispensable in international competition, while 56 per cent see them as the basis for completely new business models. Only 18 per cent dismiss them as short-term hype. Digital twins make it possible to simulate production, predict maintenance requirements and optimise production lines virtually. This is a decisive competitive advantage, especially in times of volatile supply chains.

China and the US are banking on favourable conditions

China leads the way with 26 per cent when it comes to perception as the leading Industry 4.0 nation, followed by the USA with 23 per cent and Germany in third place with 12 per cent. This represents a decline compared to 2022, but it is not an irreversible trend. The companies surveyed cite high industrial interest (China 61 per cent, US 66 per cent) and more favourable legal conditions as key success factors.

This is Germany’s opportunity: the technological basis is strong and there is a willingness to invest. What is lacking are better framework conditions. Germany performs less well than other countries in terms of standards, regulation and political support, but it is precisely these factors that can be improved through political action. Strengths such as R&D investment (32 per cent) and industry interest (37 per cent) are already in place.

The potential has been recognised, now it needs to become easier

With Manufacturing-X, the German government is pursuing an initiative for secure, standardised data exchange. Awareness of this initiative is high at 81 per cent. Fifty-six per cent believe that digital data exchange will increase resilience and productivity, while 48 per cent consider it crucial for competitiveness and technological sovereignty. Awareness of the benefits is therefore present.

Practical implementation is still lagging behind: only 5 per cent are actively participating, 8 per cent are planning to participate, and 40 per cent find data exchange too complicated. The problem here is not so much a lack of willingness as a question of practicality. This hurdle can be overcome with simplified access, better standards and advisory services.

Perceived advantages of digital data exchange

The Bitkom study clearly shows how significant the expected effects are:

Source: Bitkom Research 2025

According to the study, digital data exchange boosts the resilience and productivity of German industry by 56 per cent and is considered by 48 per cent of respondents to be crucial to their competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

This illustrates that functioning digital data exchange is becoming one of the strongest growth drivers in the industry, combining efficiency, stability and innovation.

Clear roadmap for promotion

Companies have specific expectations: 86 percent call for the removal of legal uncertainties surrounding data exchange, 78 percent want tax incentives, and 76 percent want accelerated broadband expansion. 88 percent warn: ‘Politicians should not stifle AI innovation through overregulation.’ These demands do not reflect resignation, but rather clarity about what would work.

The good news is that the German government has already taken important steps with its High-Tech Agenda, Manufacturing-X and a national robotics strategy. 74 percent of companies are investing in further training related to Industry 4.0. The willingness to transform is there, and the technological foundations are strong. What matters now is speed of implementation – then Germany will not only be able to defend its position in the global race, but also expand it.

About the study: The Bitkom study ‘Industry 4.0’ (2025) is based on a telephone survey of 552 industrial companies in the manufacturing sector with 100 or more employees in Germany, conducted between January and February 2025. Comparative data comes from the previous study from 2022, which surveyed 553 companies.

Titelbild: © Rehan

Quellen: Die Bitkom-Studien „Industrie 4.0“ (2022 & 2025): https://www.bitkom.org/sites/main/files/2023-01/221125StudieIndustrie-40-1.pdf [Stand: Dez2025] & https://www.bitkom.org/sites/main/files/2025-09/bitkom-studienbericht-industrie40.pdf [Stand: Dez2025].