The countdown to Formnext 2026 has officially begun. On June 9, Formnext vice presidents Sascha F. Wenzler and Christoph Stüker presented the upcoming edition in Paris. The event will take place in Frankfurt from November 17 to 20. This article summarizes the key announcements and developments to expect at the eleventh edition of the trade fair.
Formnext turns eleven in 2026, and the press conference provided a clear snapshot of the industry’s current state. According to the organizers, the post-COVID manufacturing landscape has shifted: additive manufacturing has reached more users and unlocked new applications. The conversation has moved from proving the technology to consolidating and scaling it. In that transition, automation is a top priority. Artificial intelligence is also emerging as an important topic, though the vice presidents emphasized that AI’s impact is limited while many processes remain unautomated.
Organizers described a fragmented global market shaped by strategic priorities. “We have a very dynamic, export-oriented Chinese market. The biggest AM market is still the US, now concentrating almost everything on defense. And then you have Europe, also looking to find its way toward more stable and reliable supply chains, and a more self-sufficient approach to its challenges. There is also a push to cooperate and create a European path in industrial manufacturing, driven by defense, but also by the energy sector and aerospace, which are strong forces this year, especially in Germany,” said Sascha Wenzler.
The Numbers Behind Formnext 2026
Formnext 2026 already counts 579 registered exhibitors, with organizers aiming to exceed 800 by November. Attendance is projected to surpass 38,000 visitors, and exhibition space is expected to reach around 50,000 square meters. With approximately 65% of participants coming from outside Germany, Formnext remains a major international gathering for additive manufacturing.
China leads the ranking of international exhibitors with 115 companies, followed by Italy (32), France (28), the United States (23), and the United Kingdom (22).
Christoph Stüker highlighted China’s growing influence and strategic focus on additive manufacturing:
“China has identified additive manufacturing as a strategic advantage and is investing heavily in supporting the technology, which of course puts significant pressure on other international technology providers. At the same time, it also helps drive adoption through accessible entry-level machines that are easy to use. This lowers the barrier to entry for new users and applications, which will hopefully lead to further growth across other additive manufacturing technologies. It’s a two-sided point of view that you have to apply to this situation.”
What’s in Store for the 2026 Program?
The 2026 program introduces several new elements. A featured exhibition dedicated to post-processing will showcase the full workflow from printing to manual finishing. Educational sessions will include presentations from technology users sharing real-world applications, case studies, and insights into current industry trends. Discover3Dprinting seminars will return for newcomers looking to learn the basics.
The Formnext Awards will once again recognize innovation across six categories, while Pitchnext will continue to highlight promising startups. New for 2026, the United Kingdom will participate as partner country in collaboration with AMUK and Innovate UK, bringing a focused program of UK-based innovation and projects.
If you plan to attend Formnext 2026, expect a strong emphasis on automation, post-processing workflows, and real-world case studies that demonstrate scaling and industrial adoption. The fair aims to reflect the sector’s move from experimentation toward reliable, production-ready solutions across diverse industries such as aerospace, energy, and defense.
*Cover Photo Credits: Formlabs