Formnext 2025 has opened its doors in Frankfurt am Main, once again positioning itself as a central meeting point for the global additive manufacturing community. Until 21 November, 803 exhibitors are presenting their latest solutions and world premieres on around 50,000 m² of gross exhibition space. The first day of the trade fair featured high visitor numbers, new product launches and presentations that highlighted the breadth of additive manufacturing across the complete process chain from design through to post-processing and quality assurance.
According to the organiser, additive manufacturing has firmly established itself in day-to-day industrial practice. At this year’s edition, Formnext and its exhibitors aim to use concrete industrial applications to demonstrate the specific added value that additive manufacturing can deliver in various sectors, as well as the associated business opportunities. The event focuses on how companies can employ this technology to develop and launch new products, improve existing components or optimise their own production workflows.
Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President of Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH, emphasises the industrial orientation of the trade fair: "Thanks to the countless innovations waiting to be discovered at Formnext, our event gives every industrial company the chance to explore the diverse possibilities of AM and profit from them in the literal sense of the word." The exhibitor line-up includes the international elite of the additive manufacturing industry, innovative start-ups and well-known industrial companies presenting solutions along the entire AM process chain.
Expanded programme for the 10th anniversary edition
To mark its 10th year, Formnext, described by the organiser as the world's largest trade fair for additive manufacturing and the next generation of production, has further expanded its event programme. In addition to established formats such as the stage programme, numerous special shows, the Formnext Awards, the partner country presentation and specialised seminars and events, the 2025 edition also includes focused guided tours of the trade fair, live AM shows and additional supporting formats.
The lecture programme on three stages offers participants a wide range of opportunities for professional exchange and networking. Renowned experts from industry and research will address current and future applications of additive manufacturing, technology developments and overarching trends in production. The aim is to provide visitors with practical insights they can transfer to their own operations.
Formnext Awards and public voting
The Formnext Awards will be presented in six categories covering innovative start-ups, sustainable business ideas, pioneering technologies and individuals who have made a valuable contribution to the additive manufacturing industry. As in the previous year, the public can cast their votes online for the respective finalists, who are also present at Formnext, until noon on Thursday, 20 November. All finalists and their submissions are presented on the Formnext website. The award ceremony will take place at 4:20 pm on 20 November.
Impressions from Formnext 2025. Photo: Formnext, Mesago Messe Frankfurt. Marc Jacquemin
Partner country Spain and industry positioning
Spain is the official partner country of Formnext 2025. Spanish companies are represented in Frankfurt with numerous innovative exhibitors. According to the organiser, Spain is characterised by a dynamic and rapidly growing additive manufacturing industry. Its geographical position on the Iberian Peninsula also allows it to act as a link between Europe and Latin America in the context of industrial cooperation and market development.
Special formats and themed areas in 2025
The trade fair agenda includes a series of themed formats addressing specific target groups and application fields along the AM value chain. For companies and users who are still at an early stage with additive technologies, the Discover3DPrinting seminars are offered every day on the Application Stage. These are supplemented by Discover3DPrinting DeepDives from Tuesday to Thursday on the Technology Stage, which provide more detailed insights.
The Formnext Awards Showcase at booth 11.0 - D82 gives visitors the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the nominated innovations on site. The BE-AM Showcase at booth 11.0 - F49 and the BE-AM Symposium, which will take place on 19 November 2025 in the Portalhaus (Room Transparenz), focus on specific application fields and current research topics in additive manufacturing.
The Start-up Area and Young Innovators can be found at booth 11.0 - D62 and booth 12.1 - B39. These areas bring together young companies and development teams and are intended to provide a platform for new business models, technologies and cooperation opportunities.
The VDMA Showcase Additive4Industry at booth 12.0 - B01 underlines the relevance of AM for mechanical and plant engineering. The Career Area at booth 11.0 - D29 addresses skilled workers and newcomers. In addition to information on career paths, career consulting and a professional photo shoot will be available on 20 November.
Guided tours focusing on post-processing will be offered on 19 and 20 November. They are designed to give visitors a structured overview of current solutions and technologies for finishing and quality assurance in additive manufacturing. An AM Quiz Show on 19 November on the Technology Stage adds an interactive element to the programme.
Digital extension: Formnext streAM
Formnext 2025 also extends into the digital realm under the name Formnext streAM. For those unable to travel to Frankfurt, parts of the stage programme will be available via livestream on LinkedIn and YouTube. Selected content can also be accessed on the Formnext website after the trade fair, allowing interested parties to follow key presentations and discussions retrospectively.
