2025.08.06. – 4 min read
The European manufacturing sector is undergoing a profound transformation. While Industry 4.0 focused on automation, digitalization, and data-driven decision-making, the emergence of Industry 5.0 marks a shift towards a more human-centric, sustainable, and resilient approach. Recognized by the European Commission as the next step in industrial evolution, Industry 5.0 aims to complement smart technologies with human creativity, well-being, and environmental responsibility (European Commission, 2021).
What Defines Industry 5.0?
Industry 5.0 builds on the foundations of Industry 4.0—such as AI, IoT, and robotics—but emphasizes the collaboration between humans and machines. Unlike its predecessor, which prioritized efficiency and automation, Industry 5.0 places workers at the center of production processes. It focuses on three key principles:
- Human-Centricity – Ensuring that technological advancements enhance worker well-being, safety, and job satisfaction, rather than replace human labor.
- Sustainability – Promoting energy-efficient production, circular economy principles, and responsible resource management.
- Resilience – Strengthening industrial supply chains to withstand disruptions, such as those experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Industry 5.0 Benefits EU Manufacturing
For European manufacturers, Industry 5.0 presents new opportunities to improve competitiveness while aligning with EU policies, such as the Green Deal and Digital Compass 2030. The integration of collaborative robots (cobots), AI-driven decision-making, and worker-empowering technologies leads to enhanced efficiency without compromising worker autonomy (European Commission, 2022).
Moreover, Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), such as Innomine DIH, play a crucial role in supporting SMEs in adopting these technologies. By providing expertise, funding access, and testbed environments, DIHs help companies transition smoothly into the Industry 5.0 era.
The Role of EU Policies and Funding
The EU actively supports this transformation through initiatives like Horizon Europe, which funds research and innovation projects that align with Industry 5.0 principles. Programs such as Digital Europe and the European Digital Innovation Hubs (EDIHs) provide financial and technological support to SMEs navigating digital transformation (European Commission, 2023). Innomine DIH plays a key role in multiple Horizon Europe projects, such as AI EDIH, Soil-X-Change, and SpinIT, ensuring that manufacturing SMEs in Hungary and the broader CEE region can access these resources effectively.
Conclusion
Industry 5.0 represents a significant shift in European manufacturing—one that prioritizes people, sustainability, and resilience alongside digital progress. With EU-backed initiatives and the support of Digital Innovation Hubs like Innomine, manufacturers have the resources to embrace this new industrial paradigm, ensuring long-term economic and social benefits. Would you like to explore how your company can transition to Industry 5.0? Get in touch with Innomine DIH and take the next step in your digital transformation journey!
References
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