A Milestone Platform for Plastics Processing and Innovation
When the Fakuma exhibition opens its doors from 12 to 16 October 2026 in Friedrichshafen, it will celebrate its 30th edition as a key meeting point for the plastics industry. What started in 1981 with just 76 exhibitors has evolved into a major platform that maps the entire value chain of plastics processing. Visitors can expect injection moulding, forming, extrusion, masterbatches, raw materials, tooling and process technology, all presented alongside the latest developments in plastics 3D printing and recycling. Organiser P. E. Schall positions this anniversary as both a technology showcase and a forum for strategic dialogue, networking and knowledge-sharing. With daily opening hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the additive manufacturing event is designed to give manufacturers a grounded overview of state-of-the-art plastics solutions while highlighting the resilience and future-readiness of the sector.
3D Printing Takes Center Stage Alongside Traditional Processing
Fakuma 2026 underscores how closely plastics 3D printing is now intertwined with conventional processing such as injection moulding and extrusion. Dedicated additive manufacturing sections will demonstrate how 3D printing complements established production lines, enabling faster prototyping, customised components and flexible tooling. Exhibitors will highlight materials and processes that bridge the gap between serial production and on-demand manufacturing, reflecting the growing maturity of 3D printing for industrial use. By integrating additive technologies within the broader plastics processing landscape, Fakuma positions itself as more than a niche 3D printing show—it becomes a holistic additive manufacturing event. This cross-disciplinary approach allows visitors to compare technologies, evaluate hybrid workflows and identify where 3D printing can add value in tooling, spare parts, low-volume runs and production-ready components, all within a single, coherent exhibition environment.
Recognising Breakthroughs: Fakuma Innovation Award and Schall Medal
The Fakuma Innovation Award returns in 2026 as a central instrument for spotlighting breakthrough technologies in plastics and additive manufacturing. Organised by P. E. Schall together with trade publication K Zeitung, the award spans six categories covering injection moulding, extrusion, recycling, tool and die making or thermoforming, compounding and materials, plus plastics technology enablers such as peripheral equipment. A key requirement is that every submission must be demonstrated live at the Fakuma 2026 exhibition—either as a production-ready product, functioning prototype or live process demo—ensuring visitors experience tangible innovation. Entries are free and accepted online until 6 September 2026, with winners selected by an independent expert jury and honoured on the opening day. Adding further prestige, Fakuma will present the Paul Eberhard Schall Medal for the first time, recognising a company that has played a pioneering, influential role in advancing plastics processing and maintaining close ties to the fair.
Recycling Innovations and Sustainability in Focus
Sustainability is woven throughout the Fakuma 2026 programme, with recycling innovations highlighted as a critical pillar of modern plastics manufacturing. The Innovation Award specifically includes a recycling category, encouraging technologies that close material loops, improve sorting and reprocessing efficiency, or enable higher-quality recyclates for demanding applications. Exhibitors will showcase solutions from material formulations optimised for multiple life cycles to process technologies that reduce waste and energy demand. The Fakuma Round Table series, now in its third edition, will tackle the theme of how the plastics industry can build on core strengths to enhance resilience, a discussion that naturally includes circular economy strategies and regulatory pressures. This combination of live demonstrations, conference content and cross-value-chain participation makes Fakuma a strategic venue for manufacturers seeking practical pathways to more sustainable plastics production without compromising performance or profitability.
Career Friday: Building the Next Generation of Plastics and AM Talent
Beyond machines and materials, Fakuma 2026 invests heavily in people, especially the next generation of plastics and additive manufacturing professionals. Career Friday, scheduled for 16 October under the motto "Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your Future", invites pupils, students and young professionals to explore the industry first-hand. In cooperation with the trade fair advisory board and Plastics Europe Germany, exhibitors will host exclusive on-stand events that introduce modern manufacturing technologies, including plastics 3D printing, and outline concrete entry pathways into the sector. Rather than abstract career talks, the format emphasises practical insights and authentic exchanges between employers and prospective talent. Organisers see this as a direct response to skills shortages and a way to showcase plastics as a progressive, innovation-driven field. For manufacturers, Career Friday offers a unique chance to align recruitment with emerging technologies and long-term sustainability goals.