Messe Düsseldorf is consolidating its global trade fair activities for the plastics and rubber industry under the new umbrella brand K-Alliance. In addition to the flagship event K in Düsseldorf, the brand brings together a growing network of international trade fairs.

Cloud-based mould cooling simulation is gaining a further performance boost as Maya HTT integrates the Polygonica geometry engine into its Simform platform. The enhancement supports more robust mesh handling and faster thermal analysis, enabling designers and mould makers to optimise cooling layouts earlier in the injection moulding workflow.

At K 2025, Lindner and Procter & Gamble unveiled Flexloop — a breakthrough in mechanical recycling. The solvent-based extraction process removes NIAS, odours, adhesives and inks from polymers, delivering recyclate pure enough for sensitive packaging applications such as cosmetics.

At Formnext, Open Mind will showcase how its Hypermill suite bridges additive and subtractive manufacturing. With integrated 5-axis strategies, simulation technologies, and the new Best Fit feature, the software ensures precise finishing of additively manufactured parts and maximizes process reliability.

The European security and defence industry is at a turning point. With the European Defence Supply Congress on 28 and 29 April 2026 in Munich, the Aerospace & Defence media brand of the Vogel Communications Group is creating a central platform for civil technology providers to enter the European defence industry.

At Plast 2026 in Milan, Rodolfo Comerio will focus on how calendering lines are becoming more automated, efficient and data-driven. The company will present technologies for rubber, PVC and plastics processing, including patented systems for faster changeovers, reduced waste, improved safety and real-time production monitoring.

Designed to accelerate the adoption of additive manufacturing in production, the new North American Stratasys Tooling Center (NASTC) in Flint, Michigan brings together Stratasys and Automation Intelligence. The hub offers hands-on access to industrial 3D printing and engineering support, helping manufacturers develop and scale cost-effective tooling solutions.

Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar rode to victory on a custom 3D-printed saddle — the result of cutting-edge design, biomechanics, and Carbon’s advanced DLS technology.

Hurco Europe will put the spotlight on “Smarter CNC for Smarter Shops” at its Mach stand, highlighting intuitive controls and automation designed to speed up high-mix machining without relying on specialist programmers.

Tradition meets precision engineering at Babeș-Bolyai University: With new regional funding, the Faculty of Engineering in Reșița is upgrading its research and teaching infrastructure with a high-performance coordinate measuring machine, strengthening hands-on metrology training and closer alignment with industrial practice.