About the Event

Fakuma 2026 is the 30th International Trade Fair for Plastics Processing, held from Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2026 at Messe Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance in Germany. Organised by P.E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG, the event marks a milestone anniversary for what has become one of the most internationally recognised platforms for the plastics industry. The 2026 edition introduces a new scheduling format, moving from its traditional autumn slot into an earlier October window. With more than 1,600 exhibitors expected across twelve exhibition halls, Fakuma is regarded as the leading European trade fair for injection moulding technology, extrusion, and thermoforming, and the central business meeting point for plastics processing and distribution companies worldwide. The debut Fakuma Innovation Award, developed in partnership with Kunststoffe, will be presented at the 2026 event across three categories: injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming, and recycling and sustainability. Career Friday on the final day of the fair provides a dedicated programme for students, young professionals, and career starters exploring opportunities in the plastics industry.

Audience and Attendees

Fakuma draws a global community of plastics industry professionals including manufacturers, processors, OEMs, toolmakers, material suppliers, machinery producers, recycling specialists, software developers, and procurement decision-makers from across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The 2024 edition welcomed 1,639 exhibitors in twelve nearly full halls. Long-standing and major exhibitors include ARBURG, ENGEL, Wittmann, Erema, Leonhard Kurz, Röhm, COLLIN Lab and Pilot Solutions, and technotrans, among many others. The trade visitor community spans sectors including automotive, packaging, medical technology, construction, electronics, and consumer goods. A Start-up Area provides a dedicated platform for emerging companies and young innovators presenting novel plastics technologies and business models. A Job Market and Career Center operate throughout the event, connecting skilled professionals and students with exhibiting organisations.

Programme Structure

The five-day programme combines the main trade exhibition with an Exhibitor Forum featuring company presentations and live technical demonstrations. A Round Table discussion addresses the role of digitalisation in the plastics industry, examining which tools deliver real value versus those that fall short, bringing together industry experts for a moderated open debate. The debut Fakuma Innovation Award ceremony recognises outstanding achievements submitted by exhibitors and evaluated by an expert jury, with winners announced at the show. Career Friday on 16 October provides structured sessions, live demonstrations, and company encounters specifically designed for students, apprentices, and career starters considering the plastics industry as a professional destination. The event's Exhibitor Forum delivers webcasts and technical presentations accessible to trade visitors throughout the five days.

Main Topics

The agenda addresses the complete technological and strategic landscape of industrial plastics processing. Key themes include innovation in injection moulding technology spanning machine performance, precision, energy efficiency, and automation; advances in extrusion and thermoforming processes and their application across packaging, construction, and automotive sectors; the circular economy and the shift from linear to closed-loop plastic production; mechanical and chemical recycling technologies and the use of post-consumer recyclates and bioplastics; resource efficiency across materials, energy, and production processes; digitalisation and AI integration in plastics processing including simulation, digital twins, and predictive quality systems; lightweight construction and composite plastics for automotive and aerospace applications; surface treatment, decoration, and functional integration in plastic components; additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies in plastics; sustainable material development including biopolymers, flame retardants, and stabilisation packages; and the practical implementation of ESG and regulatory compliance frameworks including the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

Closing Session

Fakuma 2026 concludes on Friday 16 October, with Career Friday providing the final day's programme focus before the 30th edition draws to a close at Messe Friedrichshafen. The anniversary event marks four decades of Fakuma's role as the plastics industry's most important European gathering, bringing together the complete value chain to celebrate innovation, navigate transformation, and shape the next chapter of sustainable, intelligent plastics processing.

‍