Whether you're new to Additive Manufacturing or experienced AM professional, Formnext offers a comprehensive program covering the technological, business, and strategic dimensions of the industry. From keynote presentations and expert symposiums to interactive forums and networking events, attendees gain valuable insights, expand their professional networks, and discover new opportunities for career and business growth.
Multistage Stage Program
On two stages across the halls, various thematic focuses such as current and future applications, relevant technologies and meta trends are presented and discussed. The stages are open to Formnext attendees without any extra admission fee.
Industry & Application Stage – a focus on applications and industry topics
On the Industry & Application Stage (hall 11.0-D72), specific AM applications meet current and cross-industry topics. Selected thematic blocks will showcase applications from a range of industries, including medical and dental technology, automation, robotics and handling, offshore and marine, security and defense, as well as tool and die making. This year’s Formnext focus topics will also take center stage: energy, oil and gas, automotive, transportation and mobility, as well as architecture and construction.
In addition, the stage provides a platform for interdisciplinary exchange with industry experts and sector representatives. The focus will be on key developments and central AM topics such as DfAM (Design for AM), the industrialization of AM, business opportunities, start-ups and funding, as well as skills and talents.
Technology Stage – an in-depth approach to the process chain and the AM offer
The continuous development of Additive Manufacturing technologies is constantly leading to new solutions from manufacturers and across the entire process chain. Formnext exhibitors will present these solutions on the Technology Stage (hall 12.1-B49). During the show, morning and afternoon sessions will showcase innovations in materials, pre-processing, AM production and post-processing.
The Technology Stage program is currently being prepared. Please visit us again at the end of October for an overview of the exhibitor presentations.
Guided Tours – Postprocessing
Postprocessing is far more than just a necessary step after printing. The quality, functionality, and industrial readiness of additively manufactured parts are largely determined by the downstream processing stages.
Complementing the special show, our Guided Tours offer in-depth insights into the world of postprocessing. They provide orientation and take you directly to the booths of selected exhibitors. There, you'll gain compact insights into their areas of expertise and current developments.
Wednesday, 18 Nov | Focus: Metal
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., tour in German
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., tour in English
Thursday, 19 Nov | Focus: Polymer
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., tour in German
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., tour in English
The meeting point for all tours is the Foyer South in hall 11.0 (in front of the Press Center).
Note: The number of participants on the Guided Tours is limited. If places are still available, spontaneous participation on site may also be possible.
AM Innovation and Standards Summit at Formnext, 16 Nov. 2026
As part of Formnext 2026, the AM Innovation and Standards Summit brings together leading voices from industry, government, and standardization organizations. Organized by the U.S. Commercial Service, ASTM International, ISO – International Organization for Standardization, and America Makes, the forum aims to more closely align civilian and military standards in order to accelerate certification processes, improve interoperability and enable scalable cross-sector applications of Additive Manufacturing.
This year’s theme for the one-day summit is “Aligning together – Enabling Use Cases by Applying Civilian and Military Standards”. The focus is not only on applications in the defense sector, but also on opportunities for industries such as aerospace, energy, healthcare and mobility. The program features keynotes, application-focused presentations, fireside chats and interactive workshops, offering practical insights into the application of standards and cross-sector collaboration. The conference language is English.
Participation includes free access to Formnext 2026.
Find detailed information, ticket options and the registration form here: AM Innovation and Standards Summit 2026
Fresh ideas at lightning speed – start-up pitches at Formnext
On 17 November the participants of the Start-up Area, as well as the finalists of the Formnext Start-up and Rookie Award will show you at the Industry & Application Stage (hall 11.0-D72), why it is worth investing in them. In short pitches, the start-ups will present their innovative products.
More information about the program of the Pitchnext event you will find shortly in the event calendar.
Discover3DPrinting seminars
Discover Additive Manufacturing – with our Discover3DPrinting seminar, which we organize in cooperation with ACAM – Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing. Here you can get a comprehensive overview of the technologies and its applications – perfect for your entry into AM.
The seminars are held in German and English and take place on the Technology Stage (Hall 12.1 - B49) every day at 09:30 a.m..
More details you will find in the event calendar.
BE-AM I Built Environment Additive Manufacturing
Led by scientists at Technical University of Darmstadt, BE-AM | Built Environment Additive Manufacturing connects researchers and users interested in 3D Printing in the context of construction. The network discusses and connects the disciplines architecture, civil engineering and manufacturing automation. One highlight is the BE-AM special showcase (hall 11.0-F49) at Formnext. Exhibitors at the special show include PROGRESS MASCHINEN & AUTOMATION and other companies.
Another highlight is the BE-AM Symposium on 18 November 2026 in the Portalhaus, room Transparenz. The programm starts at 9:30 a.m. CET.
The following speakers have confirmed their participation so far:
- Gijs van der Velden, MX3D, presentation “Smart AdditiveManufacturing in Construction: From Proof-of-Concept to Regular Production”
- Ornella Luorio, Politecnico Milano
- Leroy Gardner, Imperial College London, presentation “Recent advances in metal additive manufacturing in construction”
- Julian Jauk& Milena Stavric, TU Graz, presentation "IAM ShapeLab: From Material Research to Additive Manufacturing of Functional Clay Composite”
- Kaan Aydogan, TU Darmstadt, presentation: “CoolCore Hollow-Profile Ceramic 3D-Printing for Evaporative Cooling”
- Karen Antorveza, ETH Zürich, presentation: "Architectural Biocementation: Additive Fabrication with Mineral Living Systems”
- Ana Anton, antonreiter
- Jelle Feringa, Terrestrial
- Jan Contala, ceraLAB, presentation: “Digital clay – behind the algorithm
- Hans Vermeulen, Aectual, presentation: “Building a global circular design-to-delivery platform”
- Oliver Tessmann & Ulrich Knaack
Formnext media library – explore the whole program online
All recordings of the Industry & Application Stage will be available for you in our media library after Formnext. You can find out exactly when in our AM4U newsletter.