Fakuma Friedrichshafen

When planning your visit, knowing the Fakuma Friedrichshafen dates and opening hours is essential for scheduling meetings with plant managers, production engineers, toolmakers, and technical procurement officers in the global plastics processing industry.

Professional buyers in this industry evaluate more than machine specifications. Total cost of ownership, cycle time performance, energy consumption, material yield, ease of integration, operator-friendliness, and the ability to deliver measurable production gains all influence procurement and partnership decisions.

Fakuma Friedrichshafen provides a professional environment for exploring developments across injection moulding, extrusion, thermoforming, additive manufacturing, automation, tool and mould making, and materials for the automotive, packaging, medical, electronics, and consumer goods sectors.

Why Visit Fakuma Friedrichshafen?

For professional visitors, Fakuma Friedrichshafen offers a concentrated setting to compare plastics processing technologies, discover emerging innovations, evaluate suppliers, and follow developments across the global plastics industry within one event. The event brings together manufacturers of injection moulding machines, extrusion lines, and ancillary equipment, specialists in tool and mould making, providers of raw materials and compounds, and automation and digitalization solution providers with plant managers, production engineers, and technical procurement officers.

Visitors can compare product ranges, evaluate suppliers, identify integration partnerships, examine technical documentation, and follow developments in energy efficiency, circular economy, bioplastics, and digitalization. Fakuma is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for plastics processing, particularly for injection moulding and industrial manufacturing technologies.

The 30th edition will take place from 12 to 16 October 2026 at Messe Friedrichshafen in Friedrichshafen, Germany, with daily opening hours from 09:00 to 17:00. The 2026 event introduces a revised Monday-to-Friday schedule. The previous edition featured 1,639 exhibitors from 40 countries, with 47.5% of exhibitors coming from outside Germany, and attracted 36,675 visitors from 86 countries.

Source: Fakuma Official Website — Fakuma – International Trade Fair for Plastics Processing

Exhibition Background & Industry Context

Fakuma is one of the world’s leading trade fairs for plastics processing, particularly for injection moulding and industrial manufacturing technologies. The event focuses on the direct application of technologies—from injection moulding and extrusion to automation and materials—that enhance operational profitability, part quality, and sustainability for processors serving automotive, packaging, medical, electronics, and consumer goods sectors.

Hosted in Friedrichshafen, a historic hub for practical engineering, Fakuma thrives on its deep-rooted, community-oriented character, attracting a highly focused audience of plant managers, production engineers, toolmakers, and technical procurement officers from small to medium-sized enterprises and larger processors.

Key topics for 2026 include energy efficiency and total cost of ownership, circular economy and recycled materials (PCR), bioplastics and sustainable alternatives, injection moulding and extrusion technology, thermoforming and forming technology, additive manufacturing / 3D printing, tool and mould making, automation and digitalization for the plastics factory, and practical solutions for immediate shop-floor implementation.

The 2026 supporting programme includes the first Fakuma Innovation Award, technical presentations at the Exhibitor Forum, an industry round-table, the Start-up Area and Career Friday under the “Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your Future” initiative for pupils, students and young professionals.

Is This Trade Fair Right for You?

Relevance depends on your role within the plastics processing value chain and whether your objectives involve sourcing equipment, identifying production partners, evaluating technical capability, or understanding market trends in the global plastics industry.

Ideal For

• Plant managers, production engineers, and process engineers evaluating injection moulding machines, extrusion lines, and ancillary equipment
• Toolmakers, mould designers, and mould makers exploring high-precision, durable moulds and hot runner systems
• Technical procurement officers, quality managers, and maintenance teams sourcing raw materials and production solutions
• Manufacturers of injection moulding machines, extrusion lines, and thermoforming equipment with a focus on energy efficiency and ROI
• Specialists in tool and mould making showcasing precision moulds and hot runner systems
• Providers of raw materials, compounds, and masterbatches with recycled content, bioplastics, or performance-enhancing additives
• Additive manufacturing and 3D printing specialists for prototyping and series production
• Companies offering automation, robotics, and digitalization solutions for process monitoring and predictive maintenance
• Recycling technology providers and sustainability specialists
• Media, associations, researchers and innovation-focused professionals

These professionals can assess product ranges, compare technical capabilities, examine performance documentation, and evaluate total cost of ownership, energy efficiency, and long-term partnership potential.

May Be Less Relevant For

Fakuma may be less relevant for companies whose products, research or services have little connection to plastics processing, materials, tooling, automation, quality assurance, recycling or industrial applications. Technology providers targeting professional buyers should be prepared to discuss processing readiness, technical data, cycle time, energy consumption, material efficiency, integration requirements, quality consistency, service availability and measurable production benefits.

Industries & Business Areas Represented

• Injection Moulding Technology — injection moulding machines, hybrid and electric drive systems, multi-component moulding, micro-injection moulding, and liquid silicone rubber processing
• Thermoforming & Forming Technology — sheet thermoforming machines, vacuum and pressure forming, forming tools, trimming and downstream processing
• Extrusion Technology — extrusion lines, sheet and film extrusion, profile extrusion, pipe extrusion, compounding, and pelletising systems
• Additive Manufacturing / 3D Printing — industrial 3D printers, polymer powders, filaments, pellets and resins, additive manufacturing software, prototyping, series production, hybrid manufacturing, and post-processing systems
• Tool & Mould Making — precision moulds, hot runner systems, mould components, toolmaking technology, and mould design
• Raw Materials & Compounds — commodity and engineering thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers, high-performance polymers, fibre-reinforced compounds, recyclates, bioplastics, masterbatches, colour concentrates, additives and functional compounds
• Plastics Recycling & Circular Processing — shredding, sorting, washing, melt filtration, degassing, pelletising, regranulation, recompounding, PCR materials, closed-loop production and design for recyclability
• Automation & Robotics — handling systems, robots, vision systems, and automation cells for plastics processing
• Ancillary & Peripheral Equipment — dryers, dehumidification, dosing units, mixers, material conveying systems, temperature controllers, cooling systems, chillers, granulators, and energy monitoring
• Digitalization & Process Monitoring — MES software, predictive maintenance tools, process monitoring, quality control, traceability, and simulation systems
• Measurement & Quality — inline inspection, machine vision, dimensional measurement, material testing, process monitoring, and laboratory and analytics equipment
• Decoration, Joining & Finishing — plastics welding, adhesive joining, laser marking, printing and decorating, coating, surface treatment, and assembly
• Mobility & E-Mobility — lightweight components, battery and electrical insulation parts, thermal-management components, connectors, sensor housings and functionally integrated moulded parts
• Services & Engineering — technical consulting, training, and engineering services

These business areas are connected by the commercial and operational requirements of the plastics processing sector, where total cost of ownership, energy efficiency, and practical production solutions are as important as individual products.

Products & Solutions You Can Explore

Product and solution areas presented by the organiser include:

• Hydraulic, hybrid and all-electric injection moulding machines, multi-component and micro-injection moulding
• Extrusion lines for pipes, profiles, sheet and film, as well as compounding and pelletising systems
• Thermoforming and forming machines, tools and downstream processing
• Industrial 3D printers, additive manufacturing materials, software and post-processing solutions
• Precision moulds, hot runners, mould components and toolmaking technology
• Standard and engineering plastics, thermosets, elastomers, recycled polymers, bioplastics, masterbatches, compounds and additives
• Recycling systems, shredding, sorting, melt-filtration, degassing, pelletising and reprocessing technology
• Robots, handling systems, vision systems and automation cells
• Dryers, dosing units, mixers, conveyors, temperature controllers, cooling systems and granulators
• Process monitoring, quality assurance, MES, simulation and engineering services

Business Opportunities

• Present injection moulding, extrusion and thermoforming technologies to plant managers and production engineers evaluating total cost of ownership and operational efficiency
• Discuss tool and mould solutions with production planners and technical procurement teams focused on productivity and part quality
• Connect with material suppliers exploring recycled content, bioplastics, and performance-enhancing additives
• Identify partnership opportunities with automation providers, digitalization specialists, and engineering firms
• Evaluate competing approaches to energy efficiency, circular economy, and sustainable materials
• Monitor regulatory and sustainability discussions affecting plastics processing and material selection
• Explore production optimization opportunities through direct engagement with processing experts
• Understand practical production challenges through direct engagement with plant managers and engineers
• Network with machine manufacturers, toolmakers, and plastics processing professionals

How to Prepare for a Productive Visit

Before attending Fakuma Friedrichshafen, careful planning can significantly improve the value of your visit:

• Define your strategic priorities: Identify whether your focus is on injection moulding, extrusion, thermoforming, additive manufacturing, tool and mould making, materials, automation, or recycling.
• For machinery evaluation: Compare cycle time under comparable conditions, specific energy consumption, clamping force and injection unit configuration, repeatability, tool-change time, availability and OEE, maintenance intervals, noise and footprint, and connectivity and interface standards.
• For material evaluation: Examine melt flow and processing window, moisture sensitivity, shrinkage and warpage, mechanical and thermal properties, batch consistency, recycled-content evidence, odour and contamination, regulatory suitability, and colour stability.
• For recycling solutions: Assess input-material tolerance, contamination removal, filtration fineness, output quality, energy consumption, material loss, odour reduction, and reprocessing stability.
• Prepare questions about total cost of ownership and operational efficiency: For potential partners, ask about energy-saving drives, faster cycle times, reduced scrap rates, ease of integration, operator-friendliness, commissioning support, training availability, and local service and spare parts.
• For automation providers: Emphasize simplicity, quick payback, and flexibility. Show compact, easy-to-program solutions that can be deployed on multiple machines with ROI calculated in months, not years.
• Divide the exhibitor landscape by your priorities: Before the event, group exhibitors by key areas — injection moulding, thermoforming, extrusion, additive manufacturing, tool making, materials, automation — to structure your visit efficiently. The fair takes place from 12 to 16 October 2026 at Messe Friedrichshafen.
• Review supporting programmes: Check the Fakuma Innovation Award, Exhibitor Forum, round-table discussion, Start-up Area and Career Friday under the “Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your Future” initiative.
• Plan meetings with potential partners: The event provides an opportunity to coordinate with manufacturers, suppliers, and industry professionals in one location.

Review the organiser’s current exhibitor directory and group relevant companies by business objective, product area, or hall location before planning meetings.

Exhibitor Perspective

Exhibitors at Fakuma range from international manufacturers of injection moulding machines, extrusion lines, and ancillary equipment to tool and mould makers, material suppliers, automation providers, and recycling technology specialists. Visitors evaluating potential partners should look beyond individual products to understand total cost of ownership, energy efficiency, practical production solutions, and long-term operational reliability.

The event’s focus on practical, production-ready advancements and B2B networking provides additional engagement opportunities for visitors and exhibitors. The 30th edition in 2026 introduces a Monday-to-Friday schedule and features the first Fakuma Innovation Award, the Start-up Area, and Career Friday.

Planning to exhibit rather than visit? Explore the Fakuma Friedrichshafen Strategic Exhibitor Guide.

Continue Your Research

Research companies participating in the exhibition — explore the Fakuma Friedrichshafen Exhibitor List to identify injection moulding machine manufacturers, extrusion and thermoforming technology providers, additive manufacturing companies, tool and mould makers, polymer and compound suppliers, automation specialists, peripheral equipment manufacturers and plastics recycling technology providers before your visit.

When comparing plastics processing and industrial technology events, use our guide to choose the right trade fair in Germany for your strategic sourcing or partnership priorities.

Understanding how German and European plastics processors evaluate suppliers can help you prepare more focused conversations during product exhibitions.

For companies using German trade fairs as part of a wider international strategy, explore how international branding in Germany can strengthen credibility, supply chain recognition, and long‑term market presence beyond the exhibition.

Companies considering participation can use this checklist to prepare for a German plastics processing exhibition, including performance documentation, TCO evidence, and structured follow‑up.

At Fakuma Friedrichshafen, a productive visit depends on evaluating total cost of ownership, energy efficiency, practical production solutions, and strategic fit across the plastics processing ecosystem.