Arburg Additive impressed at Formnext 2024 with the debut of the Freeformer 550-3X, new materials like TR 90 and LMPAEK, and breakthroughs in medical and aerospace applications. Sustainability and innovation took center stage, from recyclable bioplastics to combining plastic and metal printing in cutting-edge research projects.

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.

North Africa’s expanding appetite for plastics and packaging technology will be in focus when Plast & Printpack Alger opens its doors for the tenth time. More than 280 exhibitors are set to present solutions for recycling, sustainable materials and efficient manufacturing to a regional trade audience.

A new manufacturing alliance is set to accelerate the scale-up of In-Mold Structural Electronics for automotive applications. TactoTek has signed a partner agreement with Symbiose to expand industrial capacity within the IMSE ecosystem.

Global additive manufacturing revenues climbed to 24.2 billion dollars in 2025, but the latest Wohlers Report shows a market in transition rather than in acceleration. Growth is increasingly driven by services and higher utilization of installed capacity, while regional disparities and tighter investment conditions reshape the competitive landscape.

Defects and pores would normally weaken metal parts. At the nanoscale, however, Caltech researchers found they can still deliver remarkable strength – opening new possibilities for ultra-small components in electronics, medical technology and space.

Multi Jet Fusion is redefining small-series manufacturing by delivering production-ready parts without the cost or delay of tooling. At Speedpart, the technology has proven its ability to produce hundreds of functional components at just a few euros per unit.

Sustainability, lightweighting, and design efficiency are in focus as Asahi Kasei brings a portfolio of innovative polymers to K 2025. Highlights include bio-based cellulose nano fiber compounds, PFAS-free polyamides, advanced foams, and optical polymers for next-generation mobility and electronics.

Penn State researchers are making metal 3D-printed parts sing — literally. Backed by a 1 million dollar Darpa grant, their groundbreaking acoustic technique could revolutionize defect detection during printing, speeding up production for critical defense applications.

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.