The plastics industry is preparing for a five-day event in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance. From Monday 12 to Friday 16 October 2026, the 30th edition of the Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing will take place. Organisers and exhibitors announce fully booked halls, a high level of international participation and a strong focus on practical applications of technologies. Once again, Fakuma is to serve as a platform of inspiration for the sector, while maintaining its characteristic informal atmosphere that supports knowledge exchange and direct contacts.
The origins of the event date back to 1981, when 76 exhibitors took part in the first edition. As emphasised by Dr Christoph Schumacher, vice president global marketing at Arburg, the fair has "evolved into a significant European platform for plastics processing". The company from Lossburg has been a long-standing participant in the event. Schumacher describes Fakuma as "a heartfelt passion" and points to "an ideal location with a focus on practical relevance". In the view of industry representatives, the trade fair is distinguished by its strong user orientation and the concrete, application-focused nature of the solutions presented. Fakuma is perceived not only as a place to showcase machines and technologies, but also as a forum where long-term production strategies and development directions for plastics processing in Europe are shaped.
From injection moulding fair to full-spectrum processing platform
According to the organisers, Fakuma is no longer just a trade fair for injection moulding technology, but has also become an important platform for extrusion and recycling, covering the full spectrum of plastics processing. Exhibition advisory board member Dr Friedrich Kastner, CEO of Next Generation Analytics Group, describes the development of the event as a long-standing, reliable meeting place for an industry that is undergoing exceptionally dynamic change. He notes that today Fakuma is one of the most important plastics events in Europe, not only as a technology marketplace, but also as a source of impulses for a sustainable, energy-efficient and digitally networked plastics sector.
Kastner points out that the topics shaping the industry have fundamentally changed over the years, from a clearly linear value creation model in the early years to a consistent circular economy. Energy efficiency, digitalisation, modern recycling technologies, the image of plastics and the shortage of qualified personnel are now at the centre of attention. Fakuma is intended to mirror these developments and present practical solutions, holistic approaches and systemic methods aimed at increasing the sustainability of processes along the entire value chain.
Importance of practical applications and partnership relations
The practical character of the fair is also highlighted by Christopher Vitz, regional president for Central Europe at Engel. In his opinion, Fakuma is "a special place where people meet on equal terms, partnerships are forged and decisions are formulated that shape production strategies for years to come". Vitz notes that the informal atmosphere of the event strengthens the unique "spirit of Fakuma", and that the trade fair has long been an important European platform for Engel, where plastics processing is not only showcased but also jointly advanced.
The importance of direct information exchange and personal contact is particularly evident in periods of weaker economic conditions. When investment decisions are made more cautiously, companies seek precisely tailored application solutions and opportunities to directly compare offerings. Practice-oriented trade fairs such as Fakuma address these needs by focusing on concrete applications and dialogue between technology suppliers and users.
Users value the atmosphere and effective networking
The perspective of users and expert visitors is presented by Michael Wittmann, managing director of Wittmann Group. He states that "Fakuma is about practical applications. Discussion takes place here on an equal footing. Numerous projects and developments are initiated in Friedrichshafen". He also points out that the event has built up strong global momentum while retaining its local character and relaxed atmosphere.
According to Wittmann, customers travel to Fakuma even from distant markets because they appreciate the combination of technological innovation presentations with conditions that support in-depth discussions. As an example, he mentions customers from Brazil who regularly attend the trade fair on Lake Constance in order to take advantage of the opportunity for direct exchange of experience and to assess solutions in terms of their use in production practice.
Five days with the full range of plastics technologies
The 30th edition of Fakuma, from 12 to 16 October 2026 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., will once again transform the Friedrichshafen exhibition grounds into a meeting place for the broad plastics processing industry. The organisers describe the event as a showroom presenting "the entire world of plastics" in five days. The scope of the exhibition includes injection moulding, forming and extrusion technologies, as well as 3D printing, masterbatches, raw materials, tools, process technology and recycling solutions.
The offering is to cover raw materials, processing machines and peripheral equipment, as well as automation systems. In this way, the thematic scope is intended to support plastics processing plants in meeting current and future technological, environmental and economic challenges and in maintaining their competitiveness on the market.
Supporting programme: expert forum and Career Friday
The autumn edition of the trade fair will be complemented by an accompanying programme planned for all five days of the event. It will include expert presentations as part of the forum, the third edition of the round-table discussion and Career Friday aimed at young professionals and people starting their careers in the plastics sector. This programme is intended to support knowledge transfer and the exchange of experience between industry representatives, academia and future specialists.
Bettina Schall, managing director of P. E. Schall, the trade fair organiser, emphasises the strong interest in the anniversary edition. She announces that, on the one hand, there will be a look back at how the event began 45 years ago, while on the other, the focus will be on the future and on new solutions that will enable the industry to master current and upcoming challenges. Schall stresses that Fakuma has traditionally been a trade fair where performance and expertise are showcased, and that participants can expect initiatives with a pioneering character from technological, ecological and economic perspectives.
