Formnext celebrates 10 years with a new event program

"With our expanded event program, we are addressing current developments in the world of additive manufacturing," explains Christoph Stüker, Vice President Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt, and continues: "On the one hand, the range of industrial applications continues to expand every year and more and more people are gaining access to this innovative technology. At the same time, the AM industry is demanding ever more economical but also more specialized solutions."

Three stages, one goal: topics that drive the AM industry

Formnext meets these challenges with its diverse stage program, which is freely accessible to all trade fair participants. Experts will discuss current and future applications, technologies and trends in the AM and manufacturing industry.

A variety of innovative additive applications will be discussed at the Application Stage (Hall 11.1, E69): from individual orthoses, jewelry and watches to rocket engines, robot components and pipelines to spare parts for wind turbines. The focus will also be on cost-effectiveness. The Industry Stage (Hall 11.0, D72) is dedicated to overarching topics that move the AM industry - such as sustainability, industrialization of AM and "Design for AM". Examples range from AI-generated consumer products to 3D printing of mushroom mycelium. Exhibitors' innovations will also be presented on the Technology Stage (12.1, B49).

Conference topics: Decentralized manufacturing, desktop 3D printers

To mark the 10th anniversary of Formnext, the Industry Stage will feature a keynote speech and subsequent panel looking back at AM developments over the past decade and looking ahead to the coming years. Formnext will address the current consolidation movements in the AM world with a panel on the topic of mergers and acquisitions, and international, national and regional initiatives will also be presented and discussed. A particular strength of additive manufacturing across all sectors will also play an important role in the stage program: decentralized manufacturing. Among other things, this offers particular potential for rethinking supply chains. An important building block in this process is the increasing importance of relatively inexpensive desktop 3D printers, which are also becoming increasingly common in the industrial environment. The Formnext stage programme is also dedicated to the opportunities and challenges of this "democratization of AM" - especially from the perspective of small and medium-sized companies.

AM knowledge for beginners and experts

In addition, the already established and very popular Discover3DPrinting seminars, which are held in cooperation with ACAM (Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing), will take place daily on the Application Stage. Here, newcomers to AM production can gain an overview and important insights. These will be supplemented by DeepDives on the Technology Stage on the topics of large-format plastic 3D printing, the rise of DED technology, data-driven design and the scaling of 3D printing.

New formats: Guided tours, live shows and quiz format

New this year are the guided tours of Formnext with a focus on post-processing. Formnext is thus recognizing the importance of this part of the process, which is extremely important for AM production but often underestimated. The tours, which last around an hour and a half and are led by AM and industry experts, will take place on Wednesday, November 19 (in German) and Thursday, November 20 (in English) from 2:00 pm. Meeting point is in the foyer in front of Hall 12.0. Pre-registration is not necessary, it is "first come - first served".

Another format in the Formnext supporting program is the streaming format "Show and Telling LIVE" by Youtuber and content creator 3D Printing Nerd on Tuesday afternoon in Hall 11.0 and the Ultimate Additive Quiz Show on the Technology Stage on Wednesday evening.

Special shows: From mechanical engineering to art

The special shows at Formnext 2025 will provide an even deeper insight into the AM applications of specific industries: The VDMA Additive Manufacturing Working Group will present valuable AM applications from the world of mechanical engineering at the Additive4Industry special show (Hall 12.0, B01). The BE-AM Symposium (19.11.2025, in the Portalhaus, Room Transparency) and the special show (11.0, F49) will cover developments in the increasingly important topic of "3D printing in the construction industry". The combination of art and additive manufacturing will be the focus of the AM Art Space, which is being organized in cooperation with Sutosuto Hall 11.0, D82. The AM Innovation and Standards Summit at Formnext (Hall 4.0, Room Europa), which will take place the day before Formnext (17.11.) in cooperation with ASTM International, will address the important topic of international norms and standards. The keynotes will deal with industry-specific approaches, success stories and challenges in the qualification and certification of AM.

At the Start-up Area (Hall 11.0, D62) and at the Young Innovators joint stand of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Hall 12.1, B39), young, innovative companies will present themselves and can make important contacts, for example with potential investors and cooperation partners. The companies from the Start-up Area and Young Innovators will also be presenting themselves at a Pitchnext event on 18.11.2025 from 14:15 at the Industry Stage (Hall 11.0, D72).

The "Career Area" in Hall 11.0 offers an additional opportunity for young newcomers and experienced AM specialists: Here, job seekers can find out about career opportunities in the AM industry. In addition to the job wall with current vacancies, there will also be the opportunity for career advice and a photo shoot on 20.11.

Formnext Awards

The Formnext Awards will once again honor young innovative companies, sustainable business ideas and groundbreaking technologies in six different categories. The finalists' ideas will be presented on the Formnext website and as a special show at Formnext. And, as last year, online voting will be available to help decide who wins the race. The winners will be announced during the Award Ceremony on Thursday, November 20 from 4:20 p.m. on the Industry Stage.

Partner country Spain

Spain is this year's partner country and will present itself at Formnext 2025 with numerous innovative exhibitors. Spain is traditionally one of the strongest exhibitor countries at Formnext, and around 30 companies will be exhibiting at Formnext 2025. The Spanish AM industry is particularly strong in the areas of AM systems, materials and research and development.