Formnext 2026 expands Additive Manufacturing programme
Mesago Messe Frankfurt has announced that Formnext 2026, taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, from November 17–20, 2026, will once again present the latest developments across the entire Additive Manufacturing process chain, as well as a broad range of application examples and business cases from numerous industries. The event comes against a backdrop of what the organiser describes as growing momentum in the aerospace, defence, medical technology and semiconductor industries.
“Especially in the current market environment, the importance of exchange, market orientation, and access to innovation has become increasingly evident,” said Sascha F Wenzler, Vice President Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. “Formnext brings together the industry’s key stakeholders and provides the framework where new momentum for the industrial adoption of Additive Manufacturing can emerge.”
According to Mesago Messe Frankfurt, discussions with Formnext’s exhibitor advisory board indicate that sentiment across many sectors is considerably more positive than in previous years. An increasing number of companies report successful industrial applications, new projects, and continued market scaling, the organiser stated.
In response to current industry developments, Mesago Messe Frankfurt has further optimised the exhibition layout for the 2026 edition. To reduce walking distances, improve navigation, and ensure a consistently high-quality visitor experience, the exhibition will be consolidated into Halls 11.0, 12.0, and 12.1 while maintaining nearly the same total exhibition space.
Formnext 2026 will once again offer a comprehensive supporting programme featuring a wide range of topics and numerous opportunities for professional development and networking.
Christoph Stüker, Vice President Formnext, stated, “While Additive Manufacturing has already become an established production technology in many industries, the technologies remain complex and require expertise, as well as the identification of viable business models and growth opportunities. Through a variety of programme formats, we aim to facilitate exactly this exchange, including across different industries.”
The conference programme will address both cross-industry topics and concrete application examples on the Industry & Application Stage, with presentations aimed at users, technology providers and decision-makers from various sectors. The programme will be complemented by the Technology Stage, where exhibitors will present their latest technological innovations and solutions.
Among the new content highlights is the Formnext Defence Summit, which will explore current developments and requirements in security-and-defence-related manufacturing environments. In addition, a special exhibition dedicated to post-processing will showcase key steps within the industrial value chain.
The Formnext Awards will once again recognise outstanding innovations and developments, while the Discover3DPrinting seminars will provide newcomers with practical insights into the world of Additive Manufacturing. Additional formats such as the Start-up Area and Pitchnext will continue to foster connections between innovators, investors, and strategic partners.
Further programme highlights include:
- Showcase by the VDMA Additive Manufacturing Working Group focusing on Additive Manufacturing in mechanical engineering
- BE-AM showcase and BE-AM Symposium dedicated to Additive Manufacturing in the construction industry
- Showcase and guided tours on the topic of post-processing
- Career@Formnext, featuring a job wall, personalised career consulting, professional photo sessions, and networking opportunities
- Partner Country: United Kingdom, showcasing its strong manufacturing sector and leading role in Additive Manufacturing through an ecosystem of technologies and industrial applications
- AM Innovation and Standards Summit, organised by ASTM International and taking place on the day prior to the exhibition opening
