Formnext 2025: Frankfurt showcases the breadth of industrial additive manufacturing

With a well-filled exhibition centre, Formnext 2025 has kicked off in Frankfurt am Main. Until 21 November, 803 exhibitors are presenting solutions related to additive manufacturing and adjacent production technologies across roughly 50,000 square metres. The first day was marked by high visitor numbers, numerous product premieres and a wide range of practical application examples that underline the importance of 3D printing in industrial manufacturing.

This time, the focus is even more clearly on concrete use cases from industries such as mechanical engineering, aerospace, medical technology and consumer goods. Complete process chains are being showcased, from part design and simulation and data management tools through to printing systems, materials, automated post-processing and quality assurance.

“Thanks to the countless innovations to be discovered at Formnext, the trade fair offers every industrial company the opportunity to explore the diverse possibilities of AM and, quite literally, to benefit from them,” said Sascha F. Wenzler, Vice President Formnext, Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH.

For the tenth anniversary, the organiser has expanded the supporting programme. On three stages, experts discuss applications, technologies and market developments in additive manufacturing, accompanied by special shows, live demonstrations and guided tours on topics such as post-processing or concrete elements from 3D printing. The Formnext Awards honour, in six categories, among others young companies, sustainable business models and technological innovations; visitors can take part in online voting on the finalists until Thursday noon before the awards ceremony takes place in the afternoon.

This year’s partner country is Spain, which is represented by numerous exhibitors and highlights its role as a dynamic AM location between Europe and Latin America. Start-up areas, the VDMA special show, a careers area and offerings for newcomers such as “Discover3DPrinting” are designed to appeal to different target groups – from beginners to experienced AM experts.

In addition to the in-person trade fair, part of the programme will be streamed live via “Formnext streAM” on LinkedIn and YouTube and made available on demand afterwards. This allows professionals who are not travelling to Frankfurt to learn about new system concepts, material developments and digital workflows in industrial 3D printing and to transfer the content into their own development and production environments.