AM has arrived in the industry

Frankfurt was once again the international meeting place for additive manufacturing and pioneering production technologies. The mood in the halls was consistently positive - both among visitors and exhibitors. Many intensive and professional discussions underlined the high quality of the exchange. With record visitor numbers and an even greater variety of applications, it was clear that additive manufacturing has not only arrived in industrial production, but is also gaining more and more users across the board.

On its tenth anniversary, Formnext welcomed 38,282 specialists and executives (47% of whom were international), once again significantly increasing the already strong visitor numbers from the previous year. With 804 exhibitors (61% of them international), Formnext recorded a very good result in economically challenging times. The wealth of innovations from exhibitors along the entire process chain and the even more extensive supporting program presented the numerous application possibilities and concrete business opportunities of additive manufacturing in a wide range of industrial sectors. The AM sector thus proved that it is still full of forward-looking developments: manufacturers of AM systems presented numerous machines, some of which are based on completely new manufacturing technologies. Specialized materials presented for the first time will ensure that even better products and components for even more applications can be manufactured using additive manufacturing in the future. And to ensure that this happens ever more efficiently, exhibitors showcased advanced digital solutions from component design to automation - often supported by the use of artificial intelligence.

Formnext has helped shape the AM industry

"The last ten years have been characterized by enormous technological development. Additive manufacturing is no longer a promise for the future, but a reality in numerous industries," says Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President Formnext at the organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. "But with progress comes new challenges. And this is precisely where Formnext comes in: it showcases solutions to further industrialize AM, make supply chains more flexible and make the technology more accessible to SMEs."

Petra Haarburger, Managing Director of Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, adds: "Formnext shows how important it is not only to make progress visible, but also to work together to drive forward the transformation of industrial manufacturing. Fully in line with our claim: Driving Technologies by connecting bright minds."

Extensive and varied supporting program

For its 10th anniversary, Formnext once again significantly expanded its event program. In addition to the successfully established formats such as the freely accessible stage program on three stages, numerous special shows, the Formnext Awards, the partner country and specialized seminars and events, this year's program included focused tours of the trade fair, AM live shows and much more. The award concept, including visitor voting, was one of the visitor magnets of Formnext 2025 and recognized winners in six different categories. The respective winners were presented with their awards at a ceremony on 20.11: PERFI Technologies (Start-up Award), IAM3DHUB - Project "3DMyMask" (Rookie Award), Laempe Mössner Sinto GmbH ((R)Evolution Award), Hochschule für Gestaltung Schwäbisch Gmünd (Design Award), EOS GmbH Electro Optical Systems (Sustainability Award) and Irena Heuzeroth, SKZ KFE GmbH (AMbassador Award). Christoph Stüker, Vice President Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, outlines: "Formnext has shown that it is far more than just a trade fair, namely the driving force and home of a global, constantly growing fAMily."

Global reach at the highest level

With a high proportion of international visitors (47%), Formnext clearly underlined its position as the leading global platform for additive manufacturing and modern industrial production. Exhibitors emphasized the high visitor frequency, the quality of the technical discussions and the central role of Formnext as a hub for innovations and new business opportunities.

Formnext digital in the aftermath of the trade fair

The presentations of the Industry and Application Stage of the stage program will soon also be available on demand on the Formnext digital channels (YouTube and Formnext.TV). The next Formnext will take place from 17 - 20.11.2026 in Frankfurt.