Formnext 2026: Industrial AM, Business Models & Post-Processing

Broader program scope Formnext explores business cases for additive manufacturing

2026-09-11 Source: Mesago 3 min Reading Time

Related Vendors

MESAGO Messe Frankfurt GmbH

HASCO Hasenclever GmbH + Co KG

AMPCO METAL Deutschland GbmH

Renishaw plc

Industrial applications, viable business models and post-processing will shape Formnext 2026, with around 800 exhibitors expected. A new Defence Summit and a revised hall layout are among the changes planned for the additive manufacturing exhibition, taking place from 17 to 20 November.

Formnext brings together the global AM community and showcases the latest innovations in industrial 3D Printing and advanced production technologies. (Source: Mesago / Marc Jacquemin) — Formnext brings together the global AM community and showcases the latest innovations in industrial 3D Printing and advanced production technologies.
(Source: Mesago / Marc Jacquemin)

Current discussions about industrial development in Europe and around the globe are often shaped by economic challenges. At the same time, numerous examples demonstrate how Additive Manufacturing is enabling successful and scalable industrial business models, opening up new growth opportunities across a wide range of sectors. From 17 to 20 November 2026, Formnext will once again bring together the technologies and experts driving this transformation. The event will showcase concrete industrial applications throughout the entire Additive Manufacturing value chain, featuring numerous use cases and business cases from a diverse range of industries — all in one place. Visitor ticket sales are now open, with an early bird discount available until 22 October 2026.

As the AM industry continues its dynamic industrialization phase, Formnext further reinforces its position in 2026 as the leading platform for next-generation manufacturing technologies. With around 800 expected exhibitors, the major players from across the global Additive Manufacturing ecosystem will be represented, covering the entire AM value chain. Throughout all four days of the exhibition, face-to-face networking, expert exchange, and practical application insights will remain at the center of the event experience.

“Especially in the current market environment, the importance of exchange, market orientation, and access to innovation has become increasingly evident,” says Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt. “Formnext brings together the industry’s key stakeholders and provides the framework where new momentum for the industrial adoption of Additive Manufacturing can emerge.”

Injection moulding and FDM 3D printing differ in their mechanical performance, tooling requirements and cost-effectiveness across production volumes. (Source: Dall-E / KI-generiert)

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. Showcasing these developments and fostering dialogue around them remains one of Formnext’s core objectives.

In response to current industry developments, the organizer has further optimized 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, rather than being spread across four hall levels, while maintaining nearly the same total exhibition space.

Extensive supporting program with new highlights

Formnext 2026 will once again offer a comprehensive supporting program featuring a wide range of topics and numerous opportunities for professional development and networking.

“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,” explains Christoph Stüker, Vice President Formnext. “Through a variety of program formats, we aim to facilitate exactly this exchange, including across different industries.”

The freely accessible conference program for trade show participants will address both cross-industry topics and concrete application examples on the Industry & Application Stage, delivering valuable insights for users, technology providers, and decision-makers from various sectors. The program 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 defense-related manufacturing environments. In addition, a special exhibition dedicated to post-processing will showcase key steps within the industrial value chain.

Subscribe to the newsletter now

Don't Miss out on Our Best Content

Business E-mail

Please enter a valid mailadress.

By clicking on „Subscribe to Newsletter“ I agree to the processing and use of my data according to the consent form (please expand for details) and accept the Terms of Use. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy. The consent declaration relates, among other things, to the sending of editorial newsletters by email and to data matching for marketing purposes with selected advertising partners (e.g., LinkedIn, Google, Meta)

Date: 08.12.2025

Naturally, we always handle your personal data responsibly. Any personal data we receive from you is processed in accordance with applicable data protection legislation. For detailed information please see our privacy policy.

Consent to the use of data for promotional purposes

I hereby consent to Vogel Communications Group GmbH & Co. KG, Max-Planck-Str. 7-9, 97082 Würzburg including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG (hereafter: Vogel Communications Group) using my e-mail address to send editorial newsletters. A list of all affiliated companies can be found here

Newsletter content may include all products and services of any companies mentioned above, including for example specialist journals and books, events and fairs as well as event-related products and services, print and digital media offers and services such as additional (editorial) newsletters, raffles, lead campaigns, market research both online and offline, specialist webportals and e-learning offers. In case my personal telephone number has also been collected, it may be used for offers of aforementioned products, for services of the companies mentioned above, and market research purposes.

Additionally, my consent also includes the processing of my email address and telephone number for data matching for marketing purposes with select advertising partners such as LinkedIn, Google, and Meta. For this, Vogel Communications Group may transmit said data in hashed form to the advertising partners who then use said data to determine whether I am also a member of the mentioned advertising partner portals. Vogel Communications Group uses this feature for the purposes of re-targeting (up-selling, cross-selling, and customer loyalty), generating so-called look-alike audiences for acquisition of new customers, and as basis for exclusion for on-going advertising campaigns. Further information can be found in section “data matching for marketing purposes”.

In case I access protected data on Internet portals of Vogel Communications Group including any affiliated companies according to §§ 15 et seq. AktG, I need to provide further data in order to register for the access to such content. In return for this free access to editorial content, my data may be used in accordance with this consent for the purposes stated here. This does not apply to data matching for marketing purposes.

Right of revocation

I understand that I can revoke my consent at will. My revocation does not change the lawfulness of data processing that was conducted based on my consent leading up to my revocation. One option to declare my revocation is to use the contact form found at https://contact.vogel.de. In case I no longer wish to receive certain newsletters, I have subscribed to, I can also click on the unsubscribe link included at the end of a newsletter. Further information regarding my right of revocation and the implementation of it as well as the consequences of my revocation can be found in the data protection declaration, section editorial newsletter.

Established Formnext highlights will also return. The Formnext Awards will once again recognize 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.

(ID:50952483)