Anniversary edition marking the thirtieth Fakuma

The entire world of plastics is on the agenda for the 30th Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing which will take place from 12 to 16 of October, 2026. The Friedrichshafen Exhibition Centre will host an enormous family celebration for five days to mark its anniversary. On the one hand, it will serve as a showcase for the entire world of plastics. On the other hand, it will provide a unique platform for communication, discussion, knowledge-sharing, awards and career planning. What began in 1981 with 76 initial exhibitors has evolved into a major European platform for the plastics processing industry. 

Above all, Fakuma focuses attention on the future, and on solutions that will enable the industry to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. And this is why trade fair promoters P. E. Schall are presenting the Fakuma Innovation Award. It’s intended to furnish ground-breaking impetus for the plastics processing industry in technological, environmental as well as economic terms. 

Fakuma 2026 is also sending a strong signal regarding the recruitment of young talent. Trade fair promoters P. E. Schall, together with the trade fair advisory board and Plastics Europe Germany, will once again be hosting Career Friday on 16 October in keeping with the maxim “Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your Future”. Pupils, students young professionals are invited to experience the broad range of opportunities offered by the plastics industry first-hand – on site in Friedrichshafen.

With its careers campaign, Fakuma has created a platform that specifically targets young people and provides them with practical insights into one of Europe’s most innovative industries. International exhibitors will hold exclusive events at their trade fair booths, offering insights into modern manufacturing technologies and outlining effective strategies for entering the industry.

“We don’t just want to acquaint young people with various job profiles – we want to open up real career horizons,” explained Bettina Schall, managing director of trade fair promoters P. E. Schall. “Career Friday brings talented individuals and companies together face-to-face in an authentic, pragmatic manner, on an equal footing. This allows visitors to discover just how exciting and progressive the plastics industry really is.” Christine Bunte, managing director of Plastics Europe Germany, was also impressed by this career initiative: “Seeing how closely the trade fair, the exhibitors and the associations are working together to get even more young people excited about plastics is encouraging, and inspires optimism for the future.”

“We’re looking forward to a very special Fakuma anniversary event where professional networking, discussion and knowledge-sharing join forces with the exhibition to create a valuable all-round package,” Bettina Schall added. “Of course we’ll also look back at how it all began 45 years ago. But above all we’re looking to the future and focusing on solutions that will help us tackle the challenges currently faced by the industry.”

For example, the third edition of the “Fakuma Round Table” discussion series will focus on the topic of “Building on Our Strengths – How is the European Plastics Industry Enhancing its Resilience?”. The presentation forum will provide suppliers as well as users with inspiring, forward-looking ideas. All in all, the trade fair’s extensive range of topics provides the plastics processing industry with vital support in remaining successful on the market.

“To mark this year’s anniversary edition of Fakuma, we will present the Paul Eberhard Schall Medal for the first time to a company that has played a pioneering and influential role in the industry,” said Bettina Schall. “We want to acknowledge the companies’ exceptional technological standing in the further development of plastics processing, as well as their close ties to our trade fair.”