Formnext 2024
- Date
- 2024-11-19
- Location
- Messe Frankfurt (Hallen 11, 12 und Portalhaus), Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Host
- Formnext
About this event
Formnext 2024 is where the additive manufacturing world gathers to see what is actually moving the industry forward. With 864 exhibitors, 61% international participation, and 34,404 expert visitors, this is a large-scale, high-signal event built for people who want to understand the next wave of advanced manufacturing in real terms: new machines, new materials, new workflows, and the commercial applications behind them. If your work touches industrial production, product development, engineering, supply chains, or manufacturing strategy, Formnext offers a rare chance to compare technologies side by side and speak directly with the people building them. The scale matters, but so does the concentration of expertise: this is a working event for professionals who want substance, not surface-level trends. About the Event Formnext 2024 is an in-person industry exhibition and meeting point for the additive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing community, held at Messe Frankfurt (Hallen 11, 12 und Portalhaus) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It brings together exhibitors, technical experts, decision-makers, and visitors from across the global manufacturing ecosystem. At its core, the event is about connecting innovation to industrial reality. The exhibitor mix and international reach create a broad view of the market, from established production systems to emerging solutions and world premieres. Rather than focusing on one narrow segment, Formnext presents a cross-section of the technologies, tools, and capabilities shaping modern production. This is a place to evaluate what additive manufacturing looks like right now at scale, and where it is heading next. Whether you are exploring adoption, benchmarking suppliers, or looking for the latest developments in manufacturing processes, the event is designed to support practical discovery and informed conversations. What to Expect Expect a busy exhibition environment with a large number of companies presenting new products, innovations, and production capabilities. One of the biggest advantages of an event like this is the ability to move quickly from broad market scanning to detailed technical conversations in the same day. Across the halls, attendees can expect to: Explore a wide range of additive manufacturing technologies and adjacent advanced manufacturing solutions See world premieres and new product launches presented directly by exhibitors Compare offerings from a strong mix of international companies and specialists Meet with vendors, partners, customers, and peers in a setting built for serious business interaction Gather insight into how new tools and systems are being applied across industrial use cases Because the audience is made up of expert visitors, the quality of conversation tends to be especially valuable. You are likely to encounter discussions around production readiness, material performance, integration into existing manufacturing environments, throughput, quality, and the economics of adoption. The format also supports different styles of attendance. Some visitors come with a focused sourcing or partnership agenda, while others use the event to map the competitive landscape, identify emerging categories, or understand where innovation is gaining traction. Formnext works well for both, provided you arrive with clear priorities. Why Attend Formnext is valuable because it compresses a huge amount of market intelligence into a single in-person experience. Instead of researching technologies in isolation, you can compare solutions directly, ask hard questions, and assess what feels mature, differentiated, or ready for implementation. For teams evaluating strategy, the event can help answer important questions such as: Which technologies are gaining momentum in industrial settings? Where are suppliers investing in innovation? What capabilities are becoming standard, and what still feels early? How are international players positioning themselves in the market? There is also clear value in the event’s scale. A gathering of 864 exhibitors and 34,404 expert visitors means more than just foot traffic; it means a dense environment for discovery, benchmarking, and relationship-building. The 61% international exhibitor share adds an important global perspective, especially for companies watching manufacturing trends beyond their domestic market. Attending can be especially useful for: Manufacturing leaders assessing future capabilities Engineers and technical teams comparing systems and applications Product and innovation teams looking for new production options Procurement and sourcing professionals evaluating vendors Founders, operators, and investors tracking where the sector is heading Practical Details Location: In person at Messe Frankfurt (Hallen 11, 12 und Portalhaus), Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Messe Frankfurt is one of Europe’s best-known trade fair venues, making it a fitting setting for an event of this size and international reach. When: Tuesday, November 19 at 12:00 AM UTC. If you are planning travel, it is worth double-checking the local Frankfurt schedule and your time zone conversion in advance so you can organize arrival, meetings, and floor time efficiently. Given the size of the venue and the number of exhibitors, it is smart to come prepared. A few practical ways to get more from the event: Review exhibitor priorities before you arrive Block time for both planned meetings and unstructured discovery Wear comfortable shoes for a full day on the floor Keep notes on standout technologies, suppliers, and follow-ups Leave room in your schedule for unexpected conversations Formnext is best approached as a working event, not a passive one. If you show up with clear goals and enough time to explore, it offers a strong return in market insight, product discovery, and high-quality industry connection.
Who should attend
If you want a clear view of where additive manufacturing is heading next, this is the place to be. - **You work in manufacturing, engineering, or product development** and want to see how additive technologies are being applied in real production settings, not just discussed in theory. - **You’re evaluating new equipment, materials, software, or workflows** and want the efficiency of comparing a large international field of exhibitors in one place. - **You make or influence buying decisions** and need to understand what is mature, what is emerging, and where current innovations could fit into your business. - **You’re focused on scaling from prototyping to industrial use** and want direct exposure to world premieres, process improvements, and the broader ecosystem around advanced manufacturing. - **You’re part of the additive manufacturing community** and value being around thousands of expert visitors who speak the same technical and commercial language. - **You want an international perspective** on the market, with strong global exhibitor participation and a wide cross-section of companies shaping the future of manufacturing.