Over the four days of the event, Formnext 2021 once again turned Frankfurt am Main into an international center of innovation for global additive manufacturing and modern industrial production. Formnext 2021 saw impressive exhibitor numbers, with more than 600 exhibitors from 36 countries. 17,859 specialists and executives from 76 nations had the opportunity to experience Formnext over three levels of the ultra-modern exhibition halls 11 and 12 of the Frankfurt exhibition grounds (11.0., 12.0. and 12.1), covering a total floor space of 30,000 square meters.
The Formnext exhibitors and extensive supporting program of events demonstrated the wide range of possibilities offered by industrial 3D printing for numerous user industries. Visitors were able to discover innovative solutions that they could use to make their own production more efficient and sustainable. Above all, attendees clearly relished the opportunity to finally meet one another and interact in person once again. The event was held under the highest ‘2G’ safety conditions, meaning that only those fully vaccinated against or recovered from COVID-19 were allowed to attend.
Global AM elite in attendance
Companies such as 3D Systems, Additive Industries, Addup, Arburg, BigRep, Carbon, Cubicure, Desktop Metal, DMG Mori, Dyemansion, EOS, Evonik, ExOne, Farsoon, Formlabs, Fraunhofer Gesellschaft, GE Additive, HP, Incus, Keyence, Markforged, Materialise, Nexa3D, Renishaw, Ricoh, Siemens, Sigma Labs, Sisma, Stratasys, Trumpf, Voxeljet, XJet and many more demonstrated their innovative additive technologies, showcasing advanced solutions for the future of industrial manufacturing. Established companies such as BASF, Covestro, Hexagon, Höganäs, Sandvik, as well as a large number of innovative start-ups presented a series of world premieres throughout the entire process chain; from manufacturing technologies through to materials, software, and post-processing solutions.
Attendance figures surpassed expectations
“Formnext has once again shown itself to be the highlight of the year for the AM industry. After the significant challenges we faced last year, this year both the number of exhibitors and visitors in attendance surpassed our expectations,” commented Sascha F. Wenzler, Formnext Vice President at organizer Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. “It has shown once again just how important Formnext and face-to-face meetings are for this innovative industry, which develops technologies at a rapid pace and is keen to share these with investors, partners, and customers. It was clear that Formnext had been eagerly awaited by the entire industry.”
Successful launch of the ASTM Standards Forum
On the day prior to Formnext more than 120 participants attended the premiere of the first ASTM Standards Forum, supported by the USCS, ISO and Formnext. This successful launch underlines the importance of trans-atlantic efforts to create joint standards. The Standards Forum will be back in 2022.
Visitors were also impressed by Formnext’s development and the atmosphere in the exhibition hall.
„You can feel that everybody was waiting to meet again personally.“ states Andrea Buccelli, CEO at AMD Engineering. „It is really impressive to see how many new machines, materials and applications had been launched during the show.“
Also Shamil Hargovan, Managing Director of STS Capital Partners International Inc. drew a positive conclusion. “I think that was a particularly important und special Formnext because it felt like a big reunion. If you have an industry like ours which is growing rapidly, these personal contacts are very important.”
The visitor attendance exceeded the exhibitors’ expectations and the high quality of discussions:
„We prepared our solution for two years. Formnext was the place to launch it.“ and we continously had visitors at our booth who came with a real purpose and application in mind. Formnext is the right to place to show and discuss technology and commercialize it.“ Pete Hansford, Business Development Director, Wayland Additive
Alessio Lorusso, CEO & Founder of Roboze from Formnext’s partner country 2021 Italy, was also pleased with his company’s participation:
“We had a great Formnext, more visitors than we expected, and the quality was definitely high, because whoever decided to come was really determined and straightforward. So, very qualified visitors. We are extremely satisfied with this edition”.
From the perspective of Frédéric Le Moullec, Sales Director at AddUp, Formnext fulfilled the companies objectives: “We were pleased to meet the AM industry in person again, and as a French company to see many existing customers again, especially from Germany. We were also able to show our technology to many new interested parties and had contacts from industrial companies from almost all sectors at the booth.”
Formnext not quite over yet:
For those who were unable to attend Formnext due to travel restrictions or the current situation, Formnext Digital Days on 30 November and 1 December 2021 offer the opportunity to discover the innovations and future developments online. Formnext’s exhibitors value the extended reach of the digital format:
“After four successful days at Formnext 2021 in Frankfurt, we are really looking forward to extend the trade fair and getting in touch with our customers also digitally within the Formnext Digital Days this year.” says Damien Buchbinder, Head of Product Management Additive Manufacturing at TRUMPF.
“Formnext 2021 was a great success for EOS and we very much welcome the opportunity to extend this important opportunity for industry exchange further through Formnext Digital Days. Formnext Digital Days give both us, the exhibitors, and visitors the opportunity to explore the content presented in greater depth and focus on additional areas.”
Markus Glasser, SVP EMEA at EOS
In addition to business matchmaking and a comprehensive directory of AM solution providers, international attendees can expect a full program including live keynotes, panel discussions, and interviews.
Next year’s Formnext will take place in Frankfurt am Main from 15-18 November 2022. There will also be a number of other events in the Formnext family:
Rosmould, 07-09 June 2022, Moscow, Russia
Formnext + PM South China, 14-16 September 2022, Shenzhen, China
Formnext Forum Tokyo, 27-28 September 2022, Tokyo, Japan
2021 figures at a glance:
Exhibition space: 30,000 sqm
Exhibitors: 606
Visitors: 17,859
Discover3Dprinting participants: 101
Further information: www.formnext.com
Background information on Formnext
Formnext is the leading trade fair for Additive Manufacturing and the next generation of intelligent manufacturing solutions. It focuses on the efficient realization of parts and products, from their design to serial production. Formnext shows the future of innovative manufacturing. Formnext is organized by Mesago Messe Frankfurt GmbH. (formnext.com)
About Mesago Messe Frankfurt
Mesago, founded in 1982 and located in Stuttgart, specializes in exhibitions and conferences on various topics of technology. The company belongs to the Messe Frankfurt Group. Mesago operates internationally and is not tied to a specific venue. With 160 members of staff Mesago organizes events for the benefit of more than 3,300 exhibitors and over 110,000 trade visitors, conference delegates and speakers from all over the world. Numerous trade associations, publishing houses, scientific institutes and universities work with Mesago closely as advisers, co-organizers and partners. (mesago.com)
Background information on Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. The Group employs approximately 2,450 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 29 subsidiaries around the world. The company generated annual sales of approximately €257 million in 2020 after having recorded sales of €736 million the previous year. Even in difficult times caused by the coronavirus pandemic, we are globally networked with our industry sectors. We have close ties with our industry sectors and serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of the Group’s key USPs is its closely knit global sales network, which extends throughout the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are expanding our digital expertise with new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com
Background information on TCT (Content Partner)
Established in 1992, TCT Group’s mission is to accelerate design-to-manufacturing innovation. Through global trade shows, conferences, magazines, websites and digital products TCT delivers business-critical insights on the technologies that help manufacturers make better products, more quickly and cost-effectively. Through the TCT Awards TCT celebrates the most innovative products and applications across the design-to-manufacturing process chain. The TCT Group is owned by Rapid News Publications Ltd, part of Rapid News Group. (thetctgroup.com)
Background information on the VDMA Working Group Additive Manufacturing (Honorary Sponsor)
Within the Working Group Additive Manufacturing, over 170 companies and research institutes collaborate under the direction of the German Engineering Federation (VDMA). Here, plant engineers; component and material suppliers; industrial companies that work with metals and plastics; service providers in software, manufacturing, and processing; and numerous researchers all work toward the same goal: the industrialization of additive manufacturing techniques. (am.vdma.org)