The anniversary 30th edition of Fakuma will take place from 12 to 16 October 2026 in Friedrichshafen. The event dedicated to plastics processing will once again bring together exhibitors and professional visitors around a broad range of topics covering the entire value chain, from raw materials and masterbatches, through injection moulding, extrusion, forming technologies and 3D printing, to tooling, process technology and recycling. The organisers announce that this year's edition of the trade fair will combine a technology exhibition with a substantive programme including expert presentations, a round-table discussion, activities aimed at attracting young talent and the presentation of new industry distinctions. The trade fair will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. As emphasised in the announcement, Fakuma is intended to serve not only as a review of current technical solutions, but also as a platform for communication, knowledge exchange, discussion and career planning in the plastics industry.
The innovation award will cover six categories
One of the new elements of the programme will be the Fakuma Innovation Award, prepared by trade fair organiser P. E. Schall in cooperation with the trade publication K Zeitung. The award is intended to promote solutions relevant to plastics processing from a technological, environmental and economic perspective. Companies will be able to submit projects in six categories: injection moulding, extrusion, recycling, mould and tool making as well as thermoforming, compounding and materials, as well as plastics technology enablers, that is peripheral equipment.
According to the rules, the submitted project must be possible to present live during Fakuma 2026, as a production-ready product, a functioning prototype or a technology demonstration. Participation in the competition is free of charge, and entries may be submitted online until 6 September 2026. All projects will be evaluated by an independent expert jury, and the winners will receive their awards during a ceremony scheduled for the first day of the trade fair.
A platform for technology and knowledge exchange
The organisers also recall that Fakuma has been developing since 1981, when the first edition brought together 76 exhibitors. Today, the event is regarded as one of the more important European platforms for the plastics processing sector. Dr Magnus Orth, head of materials development and the technology centre at Igus, assesses the significance of the trade fair as follows: "For years, Fakuma has been one of the key technology platforms for the plastics industry. It combines practical relevance with technological depth. I particularly value the informal atmosphere and the opportunity to discuss and explore specific solutions across the entire value chain, from materials and tooling to processes and applications. Fakuma is therefore more than just a trade fair, it is a catalyst for future development directions and strategic positioning within the industry."
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christian Bonten from the Institute of Plastics Technology, IKT, gives a similar assessment of the event, stating: "Fakuma is a permanent part of my trade fair calendar and, especially for us at the institute in Stuttgart, the leading industry meeting point." The announcement also emphasises that the trade fair's lasting position results from its practical nature, namely providing a cross-sectional overview of the current state of the art in plastics processing, as well as from the importance of direct contacts between market participants.
Career Friday again for pupils, students and young professionals
An important element of the Fakuma 2026 programme will also be the recruitment initiative "Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your Future". As part of it, Career Friday will take place on 16 October 2026, organised by P. E. Schall together with the trade fair advisory board and Plastics Europe Germany. Pupils, students and young professionals are invited to participate and will be able to learn on site about the opportunities offered by the plastics industry.
According to the organisers, international exhibitors will prepare special events at their booths presenting modern manufacturing technologies and possible paths into the industry. Bettina Schall, managing director of P. E. Schall, comments: "We do not just want to familiarise young people with different job profiles, we want to open up real career prospects for them. Career Friday brings talented individuals and companies together directly, in an authentic and pragmatic way, on equal terms. This allows visitors to see how interesting and forward-looking the plastics industry is." Dr Christine Bunte, managing director of Plastics Europe Germany, adds: "It is encouraging to see how closely the trade fair, exhibitors and associations are working together to get even more young people interested in plastics, and this gives grounds for optimism for the future."
Industry debate and a new medal
The programme will also include the third edition of the Fakuma Round Table discussion series. The topic of the discussion will be "Building on Our Strengths, How is the European Plastics Industry Enhancing its Resilience?" The programme is to be complemented by a presentation forum providing suppliers and users with inspiration regarding future development directions.
During the anniversary edition, the Paul Eberhard Schall Medal will also be presented for the first time. As Bettina Schall stated, the distinction will go to a company that has played a pioneering and significant role in the industry. "We want to recognise the company's exceptional technological standing in the further development of plastics processing, as well as its close ties to our trade fair organisation," she said.
The organisers invite exhibitors, professional visitors and guests interested in the industry to attend the 30th edition of Fakuma in Friedrichshafen. Access to the exhibition grounds is to be facilitated by connections offered by Air Uniqon, serving Friedrichshafen Airport.
