At Fakuma 2026 in Hall B5, Stand 5305, Asahi Kasei will present a range of high-performance plastics and material solutions addressing challenges in the automotive and industrial sectors.

At JEC World 2026, Engel will show how drone rotor blades made from thermoplastic composites can be manufactured in series with reproducible quality and in a fully automated process.

Recycled carbon fibre, composite hydrogen tanks and AI-based quality inspection illustrated the changing role of plastics at Taipeiplas 2026. Exhibits linked material development with specialised applications and increasingly connected production systems, as buyers from 77 countries attended the show.

According to Speedpart, the printable plastic material Accura Xtreme Black helps meet current requirements in additive manufacturing.

Hydraulic forming is a technology that uses high fluid pressure to shape sheet metal or tubes into the desired geometry. Instead of a second rigid tool, a fluid acts as the force-transmitting medium. Researchers in Chemnitz have now succeeded in significantly reducing production times in high-pressure sheet metal forming (HPSF) through intelligent process integration.

At JEC World, Krauss Maffei is showcasing how industrial additive manufacturing, reaction engineering, and injection moulding can be combined into integrated production solutions.

Melt monitoring, cooling control and automation are among six injection moulding topics at Engel’s Expert Corners at Fakuma 2026. Visitors can test the new Viper 6 robot, explore in-mould coating and digital assistance, and see related technologies in live production demonstrations.

Biesterfeld and Traceless Materials have formed a strategic partnership to distribute plastic-free, bio-based injection moulding materials across Europe. The collaboration is designed to support industrial applications where conventional recycling is difficult and short-lived products require more sustainable material solutions.

Coloured PMMA is replacing conventional coating for selected exterior components of the Volkswagen ID. Buzz. The solution from Röhm provides the required Class A surface quality while supporting resource-efficient production through the elimination of subsequent coating.

With the latest expansion of its E-Z Fin range, E-Z Lok introduces new brass threaded inserts designed for smooth, cold press-in installation and long-lasting performance in soft wood, thermoplastics, and thermoset plastics.