Formnext 2026 is starting preparations with new momentum and a clearly defined focus on key user industries for additive technologies. The organizer has announced that the partner country for the 2026 edition will be the United Kingdom, whose industrial ecosystem in additive manufacturing includes suppliers of systems, software, and advanced industrial applications. At the same time, Formnext has announced intensified activities towards the orthopedics, aviation, and automotive sectors through dedicated side events at selected trade fairs.
The partnership with the United Kingdom is intended to highlight the role of this market in the global development of additive technologies, including research, materials, machine development, software, and high value industrial applications in the aerospace, defense, energy, and healthcare sectors. Formnext also refers to the record results of the 10th anniversary edition in 2025, which attracted 38,282 visitors, forming the starting point for further expansion of the trade fair program and changes to the hall layout in 2026.
United Kingdom as Formnext 2026 partner country
For Formnext 2026, the United Kingdom will act as partner country, described by the organizer as one of the key players in the global additive manufacturing ecosystem. The country has a developed manufacturing base and strong links between industry and additive technologies, reflected in the presence of established system manufacturers such as Renishaw, fast growing companies such as Wayland Additive, and numerous start-ups.
“The UK has long been a key global player in the world of additive manufacturing thanks to the close ties with the country’s robust manufacturing industry, and with established system manufacturers such as Renishaw as well as fast-growing companies such as Wayland Additive and many innovative start-ups,” says Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President Formnext at Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.
According to Joshua Dugdale, Head of Additive Manufacturing UK (AMUK), the United Kingdom plays a leading role in the global additive manufacturing ecosystem, covering competencies across the entire value chain, from research and materials to machine development, software, and high value industrial applications in the aerospace, defense, energy, and medical sectors.
The organization Additive Manufacturing UK (AMUK) aims to bring together industry, academia, and government in order to support innovation, accelerate adoption, and increase the industrial use of additive manufacturing technologies, as well as to position UK capabilities in this field on the international stage.
Stronger focus on key user industries
In 2026, Formnext intends to focus more strongly on selected user industries for additive technologies, in particular orthopedics, aviation, and automotive. This will be implemented through targeted activities organized at leading trade fairs whose profile corresponds to these sectors.
Christoph Stüker, Vice President Formnext at Mesago, explains that these activities are being carried out in cooperation with exhibitors and stakeholders. The aim is to highlight the specific benefits and potential of additive manufacturing in key sectors in order to reach a broader group of end users and technical decision makers.
“In partnership with our exhibitors and stakeholders, our aim is to shine a light on the specific benefits and potential of additive manufacturing in these key industries to appeal to a broader user base,” emphasizes Stüker.
Impressions from Formnext 2025. Photo: Formnext Mesago Messe Frankfurt_Marc Jacquemin
Special AM events at selected trade fairs
To implement this strategy, Formnext has announced a series of special events focused on additive manufacturing at selected trade shows throughout the year. These include:
- Aero Friedrichshafen from 22 to 25 April 2026,
- OT-World in Leipzig from 19 to 22 May 2026,
- Automechanika in Frankfurt from 8 to 12 September 2026.
As Christoph Stüker points out, through its presence at these events Formnext can reach a wider audience, some of whom are only just discovering the potential of additive technologies. For industrial users, this is intended to be an opportunity to discuss specific applications with exhibitors and to explore the full range of solutions at the main Formnext event in Frankfurt in November 2026.
“These events will enable us to reach an even broader target audience, some of whom will be unfamiliar with AM, and open their eyes to the possibilities of industrial 3D printing. Users thus have an opportunity to speak to exhibitors at the various events throughout the year, experience the entire spectrum of additive manufacturing at Formnext in Frankfurt in November, and develop specific solutions with our exhibitors,” says Stüker.
Record 2025 edition and new hall layout from 2026
The 10th, anniversary edition of Formnext 2025 attracted a record 38,282 visitors. The organizers see this result as a signal confirming the growing potential of the additive manufacturing market and good prospects for the next edition in 2026.
Starting from Formnext 2026, the trade fair will be held with a revised hall structure. The exhibition will be located on three levels, in halls 11.0, 12.0, and 12.1. As explained by Sascha F. Wenzler, the new layout is intended to optimize the use of available space, improve visitor flows, and shorten distances between stands, resulting in a more coherent and intensive trade fair experience.
“The new hall structure optimizes the space available to improve visitor flows, reduce walking distances, and create a more vibrant experience overall,” notes Wenzler, adding that Formnext continues to improve in both its thematic scope and its quality, and that the new floorplan is designed to reflect this.
Early bird discount for exhibitors until 2 March 2026
Exhibitors interested in taking advantage of the planned changes and the growing potential of the additive manufacturing market can benefit from a discount for early registration. The organizer states that the early bird discount applies to bookings made by 2 March 2026.
