November 17, 2026
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Formnext 2026 is the world's leading international trade fair and convention for Additive Manufacturing and industrial 3D printing, held from 17 to 20 November 2026 at Messe Frankfurt in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Organised by Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH as part of the Messe Frankfurt Group, Formnext is the annual industry highlight that brings together the global elite of AM professionals, solution providers, researchers, and production specialists from across virtually every application industry. The event functions as the central hub for the AM community, combining a major international trade exhibition with a rich convention programme, the debut Formnext Defence Summit, the Formnext Awards, and the AM Directory. Formnext's global network also includes events in the United States, Spain, Chicago, and the AERO show, alongside a year-round digital platform providing industry insights, Technology Talks, and the AM jobs portal.
Formnext draws a highly specialised global community of additive manufacturing professionals spanning machine and system manufacturers, materials suppliers, software developers, post-processing solution providers, service bureaus, end users from industrial production, research institutions, and investment professionals. Application industries represented include automotive, aerospace, medical technology and dental technology, energy and oil and gas, defence and security, rail and transportation, consumer goods, tooling and mould making, architecture and construction, and electronics. Exhibitors confirmed for 2026 range from global AM market leaders to specialist start-ups, with companies including Stratasys, EOS, Sinterit, SHINING 3D, Solukon, Divergent, and KSB among those active in the community. The Formnext Awards programme recognises outstanding innovations in AM technology, sustainable business models, and aspiring companies across multiple award categories, with applications open ahead of the show.
The four-day programme combines the main trade exhibition across the Frankfurt exhibition halls with a convention programme running throughout the event. The Formnext Defence Summit, making its debut on 17 November 2026, is a newly introduced format focusing specifically on the role of Additive Manufacturing in the security and defence sector across NATO and EU member states, addressing rapid production capability, supply chain resilience, and on-demand spare parts manufacturing. The Formnext Awards ceremony celebrates outstanding innovation across the AM industry. The supporting programme includes expert forums, specialist presentations, and networking events across all four days. The Formnext AM Directory provides digital and on-site tools for visitors to identify solution providers and exhibitors along the complete AM process chain. The Formnext global event portfolio, encompassing international editions and partner events, extends the community's reach beyond Frankfurt throughout the year.
The agenda addresses the full technological and commercial spectrum of Additive Manufacturing and industrial 3D printing. Key themes include the industrialisation of AM and the scaling of additive processes from prototyping to serial production; advances in laser powder bed fusion, binder jetting, directed energy deposition, fused deposition modelling, stereolithography, and selective laser sintering; new materials including metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, and sustainable and bio-based filaments; post-processing automation and integration into end-to-end digital manufacturing workflows; software and digitalisation solutions including simulation, design optimisation, and digital twins; quality assurance and certification for safety-critical AM parts in aerospace, medical, and defence applications; physical AI and the integration of autonomous systems with additive production environments; AM for defence and security including rapid manufacturing capability, NATO supply chain resilience, and dual-use applications; sustainable AM manufacturing including recycled materials, energy efficiency, and circular production models; and the role of AM in the energy, oil and gas sector for replacement parts, custom components, and supply chain decentralisation.
Formnext 2026 closes on 20 November at Messe Frankfurt, bringing four days of international AM innovation, professional exchange, and deal-making to a close. The annual event reinforces Frankfurt's position as the global capital of Additive Manufacturing, and the broader Formnext hub continues to serve the community year-round through its digital platform, global events, and Technology Talks programme.
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