Fakuma 2026. The World of Plastics Meets at Lake Constance

Exhibitors and expert visitors from the plastics processing industry will gather in Friedrichshafen for a multifaceted, dynamic fall event from October 12 through 16, 2026. In addition to new products and solutions, there will be a Round Table Discussion, the presentation of the Fakuma Innovation Award – now in its inaugural year – new ideas from startups, the next Career Friday and technical presentations at the forum. This year’s event will feature the first-ever presentation of the Paul Eberhard Schall Medal as a trade fair highlight.

Fakuma is regarded as a showcase for the entire world of plastics – from injection moulding, forming and extrusion technology, as well as 3D printing, masterbatches and raw materials, tooling, process technology and recycling. Its position in the European market makes it an indispensable industry event for all plastics processing and distribution companies.

Expert discussion at “Fakuma Round Table”

Once again in 2026, Fakuma will provide a platform for communication, discussion, knowledge-sharing, awards and career planning. For the third time, the Fakuma Round Table will be a key programme feature. This year’s discussion will focus on the topic of “Building on Strengths – How Can the European Plastics Industry Enhance Its Resilience?”. A panel of distinguished experts will discuss strategies for an economically successful future. These might involve, for example, more stable cost structures, less dependence on volatile crude oil markets and a consistent shift towards a circular economy. Economic conditions, environmental imperatives and social challenges must be reconciled. The moderated panel discussion will focus on specific measures in the areas of development, production and administration. 

Premiere of the “Fakuma Innovation Award” 

Fakuma will celebrate its 30th anniversary this year and will look back on the evolution of this trade fair, which began in 1981 with 76 initial exhibitors and has steadily grown into a European platform for plastics processing. Primary attention is focused on the future, as well as new solutions that will enable the industry to meet existing challenges. The first Fakuma Innovation Award, launched by the trade fair promoters in collaboration with trade publication K‑Zeitung, will provide ground-breaking impetus in technological, environmental and economic terms. The award provides companies with an international platform on which to present their latest innovations to an interested specialist audience and to showcase their innovative strength. Entrants can submit their projects in one of the six categories including injection moulding, extrusion, recycling, tool and die making / thermoforming, compounding and materials, as well as plastic technology enablers (peripheral equipment). The competition reflects the entire value chain for plastics technology – from materials and processing methods, right on up to ancillary technologies. One of the entry requirements is a presentation of the project at the fair – as a production-ready product, as a working prototype or as a live demonstration of a technology. Participation is free of charge. Entries can be submitted online up through the 6th of September, 2026. All entries will be reviewed and assessed by an independent expert jury. The winners will be honoured at an award ceremony on the first day of the trade fair.

New ideas and forward-looking solutions in the startup area

The trade fair promoters make it possible for startups to present themselves and their solutions for plastics processing thanks to an attractive “all-round carefree package”. People with new ideas and products relating to industrial plastics processing are invited to introduce themselves to the expert visitors at the trade fair. Startups can take advantage of Fakuma’s international character and extensive reach.

Career Friday as a Clear Commitment to Recruiting Young Talent

Once again this year, the “Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your Future” campaign will inspire young people to pursue a career in plastics processing. Together with the trade fair advisory board and Plastics Europe Germany, the trade fair promoters will once again host Career Friday on 16 October 2026, and are inviting all interested pupils, students and young professionals to attend. The campaign will offer them a broad range of opportunities to experience the plastics industry. Young people will be able to establish contacts and gain practical insights into one of Europe’s most innovative industries. International exhibitors will hold exclusive events at their trade fair booths, providing information on modern manufacturing technologies and outlining effective strategies for entering the industry.

“Fakuma’s anniversary event will inspire all exhibitors and visitors with an exceptional supplementary programme,” announces Bettina Schall, managing director trade fair promoters P. E. Schall. “The Innovation Award encourages performance and innovation, the career campaign opens up new prospects and the startup area will surprise us with ground-breaking ideas,” says Bettina Schall. “We can expect to gain many valuable insights from this year’s Round Table Discussion as well. And last but not least, in honour of Fakuma’s 30th anniversary, we, the trade fair promoters, will for the first time award the Paul Eberhard Schall Medal to a company that has played a pioneering and influential role in the industry.”

World of plastics at Lake Constance

The attractive venue in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance, where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet, underscores the experiential aspect of this industry event. The Lake Constance region offers the plastics industry community excellent quality of life, as well as a dense network of high-tech companies serving a wide range of sectors. Exhibitors, expert visitors and interested guests are welcome on all five trade fair days from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

More information

(Source: P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG)