Over 740 exhibitors from 34 countries had registered for this year's Formnext by the end of September, which is 17 percent more than last year. The trade fair for additive manufacturing and modern industrial production also increased its exhibition space by 35 percent to over 50,000 m².

The growth is due to 285 new exhibitors from 29 countries in addition to the expansion of the stands of previous exhibitors. Due to the renewed growth, the trade fair will take place in Halls 11 and 12 for the first time from November 19 to 22 and can therefore be reached via the Portalhaus entrance building.

The fact that additive manufacturing is gaining importance in the industry and is becoming more established is also shown by the increase along the value chain. For the first time, 3M Advanced materials, Bosch Rexroth, Covestro, Evonik, Mitsubishi, Thyssenkrupp Materials and Xerox will be represented. They will be showcasing additive manufacturing solutions. The focus will also be on plastic materials again. In recent years, additive manufacturing with metal has been seen more as the technology for the industry. New material developments such as high-temperature and composite materials are now opening up applications in which metal components previously had the edge.

Post-processing is also developing a strong dynamic. According to the trade fair organizers, numerous companies from traditional industrial sectors have discovered their market opportunities here.

USA - the first partner country

The USA will be represented as a partner country for the first time. At the US pavilion, visitors can expect a comprehensive supporting program as well as the opportunity to make contact with representatives from AMUG (Additive Manufacturing Users Group), AMT (Association for Manufacturing Technology), ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and the US Commercial Service. Wednesday has also been designated "Special US Day". This will feature various events at the pavilion as well as a closing reception sponsored by AMUG. In addition, the Standards Forum will be continued in cooperation with the US Commercial Service.

In addition to the US involvement, there is also another supporting program at Formnext. For example, the TU Darmstadt is dedicating the BE-AM Symposium to additive activities in the construction industry and architecture. Established events such as the joint stand and the "additive4Industry" user case area of the VDMA AM working group, the Start-up Challenge, the purmundus challenge ideas competition and the AM4U career platform will be continued. Also new is Formnext.TV in the run-up to and live from the trade fair.