Formnext Awards 2026 Open for Additive Manufacturing Entries

Additive Manufacturing innovations Formnext Awards 2026 open for submissions

2026-05-22 Source: Mesago 4 min Reading Time

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The Formnext Awards 2026 are now open for submissions, once again highlighting outstanding achievements across the additive manufacturing industry. Presented in six categories, the awards recognize technological innovation, sustainable solutions, viable business models, design excellence and personal commitment within the AM community.

The winners of the Formnext Awards 2026 will be honored during the official awards ceremony at Formnext. (Source: Mesago / Marc Jacquemin) — The winners of the Formnext Awards 2026 will be honored during the official awards ceremony at Formnext.
(Source: Mesago / Marc Jacquemin)

With the Formnext Awards, the AM trade fair in Frankfurt will once again recognize outstanding individuals, companies, and solutions from the world of Additive Manufacturing in 2026. The awards will again be presented in six categories. Submissions are now open.

The Formnext Awards provide a structured view of current developments in the AM industry and highlight projects, business models, and personal achievements that are already making an impact today. They reflect the full spectrum of additive innovation, from technological advances and sustainable approaches to entrepreneurial and individual commitment.

“The Formnext Awards demonstrate where Additive Manufacturing is already delivering tangible value today – technologically, economically, and socially. They make visible which solutions are proven, which business models are viable, and which players are setting benchmarks. In doing so, the Awards offer valuable guidance within a highly dynamic market,” explains Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President Formnext, Mesago Messe Frankfurt.

Submissions for the Formnext Awards 2026 will be assessed by an international expert jury, which has been partially reappointed for the upcoming edition. The organizers said the new composition combines established expertise with fresh perspectives and is intended to ensure that entries are evaluated according to technological, economic, design-related and strategic criteria.

The awards will be presented in six categories, each focusing on a different aspect of additive manufacturing and its impact on industry, design, sustainability and the wider AM community.

The Ambassador Award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made a lasting contribution to the AM community through education, training, outreach or personal commitment. The jury for this category includes Dr. Irene Skibinski, Expert Additive Manufacturing at VDMA Additive Manufacturing; Haden Quinlan, Senior Program Manager at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Lisa D. Block of Women in 3D Printing; and Karsten Heuser, Vice President Additive Manufacturing at Siemens.

The Design Award honors outstanding AM designs and products that combine functionality, design quality and manufacturing logic. Its jury consists of Duann Scott, Founder of Bits to Atoms and the CDFAM Computational Design Symposium Series; Prof. Dr.-Ing. Oliver Tessmann, Professor Digital Design Unit at TU Darmstadt; and Dr. Patrick Pradel, Senior Lecturer Digital Design & Manufacturing at the University of Loughborough and DfAM UK.

Panel discussion at Formnext 2025 (Source: Formnext Mesago Messe Frankfurt, Marc Jacquemin)

With the (R)Evolution Award, Formnext recognizes products, technologies or services that create clear added value for users through a high degree of innovation and significantly advance existing approaches. The jury comprises Dr. Maximilian Binder, Innovation Management at BMW Group; Prof. Jennifer Johns, Professor of Management and Director of Research at the University of Bristol Business School; and Massimiliano Cecconi, Senior Engineering & Technology Director at Baker Hughes.

The Rookie Award is aimed at young individuals or teams with promising business ideas who have not yet founded a company or have only recently done so. The Start-up Award, meanwhile, addresses young companies with viable business models, strong scaling potential and clear market relevance. Both categories will be assessed by the same jury, consisting of Arno Held, Managing Partner at AM Ventures Management GmbH; Alex Kingsbury, Product Line Manager – Additive Manufacturing at nLight; Prof. Dr. Peter Mayr, Head of Department Materials Engineering of AM at TU München; Dr.-Ing. Sascha Schwarz, CTO and Managing Director Additive Manufacturing at TUM Venture Labs; and Heather Swift Hunt, Head of Design & Tech at Kickstarter.

The Sustainability Award focuses on AM applications and products that are evaluated across their entire lifecycle and demonstrably contribute to resource conservation and sustainable value creation. The jury includes Prof. Dr.-Ing. Kristian Arntz, Professor for Manufacturing Technologies at FH Aachen; Dr. Mohsen Seifi, Vice President, Global Advanced Manufacturing Programs at ASTM International; and Sherri Monroe, Executive Director of the Additive Manufacturing Green Trade Association.

“Through the Formnext Awards, we create a framework in which quality, comparability, and responsibility become visible. They are part of our mission to shape technology hubs that provide guidance, enable networking, and sustainably support the industrial implementation of innovative technologies,” says Petra Haarburger, President, Mesago Messe Frankfurt.

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The winners of the Formnext Awards 2026 will be announced during the official awards ceremony at Formnext. In addition to the Formnext Award trophy, which has been designed and produced in collaboration with Sutosuto and FKM Additive Manufacturing, winners will receive cash or non-cash prizes. These include individualized coaching opportunities for start-ups and rookies.

As in previous years, submissions and finalist exhibits will be presented at Formnext 2026. Visitors will also be able to take part in the selection process through public voting, both on-site and online.

Submissions are now open. Entries for the Start-up Award can be submitted until 31 July 2026, while applications for all other categories will be accepted until 31 August 2026. Companies can also support the further development of the AM industry by participating as sponsors.

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