Fakuma 2026: 30th Edition Opens with 1,547 Exhibitors – Arburg Receives Inaugural Paul Eberhard Schall Medal

Trade fair organiser P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG officially opened the 30th edition of Fakuma in Friedrichshafen, Germany, on 12 October 2026. Running until 16 October, the international trade fair brings together 1,547 exhibitors presenting technologies and products for plastics processing across twelve exhibition halls. This year's event marks 45 years since the first Fakuma was held in 1981.

Arburg Receives First Paul Eberhard Schall Medal
To mark the anniversary, the organiser presented the Paul Eberhard Schall Medal for the first time. The inaugural award was presented to Arburg GmbH + Co KG, based in Loßburg, Germany, in recognition of the injection moulding machine manufacturer's longstanding association with the trade fair and its contribution to the development of plastics processing technology. Fakuma was established in 1981 through the efforts of trade fair founder Paul Eberhard Schall and Eugen Hehl, then Managing Director of Arburg. The medal was accepted by Arburg's current Managing Director, Juliane Hehl.

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The organiser also honoured eleven other companies that, alongside Arburg, participated in the inaugural Fakuma in 1981 and are exhibiting again at the anniversary edition. In total, twelve exhibitors from the first event were recognised.

Innovation Award, Industry Discussions and Young Talent Programme
The accompanying programme includes the presentation of the "Fakuma Innovation Award 2026" on the opening day. The competition covers six categories. On 13 October, the third edition of the "Fakuma Round Table" will take place under the theme "Strengthening Our Strengths". Discussions will focus on economic prospects and potential courses of action for the plastics processing industry.

Throughout the five-day trade fair, the programme will feature technical presentations in the exhibition forum and presentations by emerging companies in the Start-up Area. On 14 and 15 October, the German Patent and Trade Mark Office will provide information on industrial property rights at exhibition stands on the fairgrounds. On 16 October, the young talent initiative "Mold your dreams, mold your future" will address school pupils, university students and young professionals.

The trade fair is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Fakuma 2026, Friedrichshafen, Germany, 12–16 October 2026

More information:
www.fakuma-messe.de, www.schall-messen.de, www.arburg.com

P.E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG Messeunternehmen, Frickenhausen, Germany

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