The industry will meet at Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing next October and this year’s trade fair highlights will once again include the “Fakuma Roundtable” panel discussion and, for the first time, Career Friday
The industry will meet at the 29th Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing in Friedrichshafen from the 15th through the 19th of October, 2024. For many companies, this industry highlight is one of the most important trade fairs anywhere. This year’s trade fair highlights will once again include the “Fakuma Roundtable” panel discussion and, for the first time, Career Friday.
Efficiency will be a key topic at Fakuma 2024 – on several levels and from a variety of perspectives. Increased efficiency in terms of materials and energy consumption is crucial, as are process efficiency and the efficient operation of production systems, because in light of current shortages of qualified personnel, consistently high levels of quality can only be achieved reliably with easy-to-use control systems and digital assistance. As a result of the new Energy Efficiency Act, German plastics processors will be challenged to an even greater extent to realise their full potential. Fakuma exhibitors will provide tools and solutions for the challenges of efficiency, the conservation of resources and sustainability.
The overall focus of Fakuma is thus on digitalisation, automation, flexibility, energy efficiency and sustainability. The establishment of closed-loop material flows, product optimisation targeted at recycling and the processing of recyclates for high-end applications are at the top of the agenda again in 2024. Innovations in the field of injection moulding technology are being eagerly awaited – systems with all-electric drives that make machines flexible and powerful, and raise them to a new level of efficiency.
Fakuma is advancing a significant development: holistic product conceptualisation and the promotion of recycling and degradability. Design for recycling – this goal is taking shape to an ever-greater extent. Future-proof solutions for packaging, recycling compounds and alternatives to metal are therefore just as much in focus at the trade fair as machines for grinding and crushing, cooling systems and energy-efficient mould temperature control technology, systems for process monitoring and data acquisition, as well as innovations from the field of industrial 3D printing. The increasing use of renewable instead of fossil-based raw materials is also one of the key topics.
For many companies, Fakuma is one of the world’s most important trade fairs. The industry highlight has retained its relaxed atmosphere, while at the same time becoming increasingly international. Fakuma’s typical expert visitors are highly professional, thus making it possible to engage in intensive, top-quality discussions. They value the trade fair’s strong thematic focus on their own needs and requirements. Plastics processors get immediate answers to their questions at the event and find out how they can improve their operations, increase their efficiency and strengthen their business resilience. Fakuma is a genuine working trade fair – pragmatic and highly practical. The tried-and-tested format is highly esteemed by all involved parties.
Career Friday for pupils, students and entry-level employees will be a new feature this year in keeping with the motto “Mould Your Dreams, Mould Your Future”. Together with the trade fair advisory board, the trade fair promoters are launching this campaign in order to disseminate information about a broad range of career opportunities in the plastics industry. The event will be held as an integral part of the trade fair in Friedrichshafen on the 18th of October, 2024. Career Friday will provide the target group with the unique opportunity of visiting Fakuma’s international exhibitors at their booths and gathering first-hand information. The goal of the campaign is to inspire young people for careers in the plastics industry. The 29th Fakuma invites all pupils, students, teachers, university representatives and young professionals to visit the trade fair highlight free of charge on Career Friday, and to discover the world of plastics processing.
The Fakuma Roundtable will be a further highlight taking place on at 4 p.m. on Tuesday the 15th of October, 2024. The panel discussion is entitled “Digitalisation – Top or Flop?”, and is intended to clarify which digital tools really help the plastics industry. Panellists including professor Dr. Braungart, founder and scientific director of BRAUNGART EPEA, Philipp Lehner, chief executive officer of the ALPLA Group, Guido Frohnhaus, director of technology at Arburg, Professor Dr.-Ing. Hans-Josef Endres from the Institute of Plastics and Recycling Technology at Leibniz Universität Hannover and professor Thomas Seul from Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences will discuss the current level of digitalisation in the industry, as well as what still needs to be done. The discussions are also intended to reveal the extent to which digitalisation can solve the challenges faced by the industry, i.e. sustainability and the shortage of qualified personnel. The Fakuma Roundtable will be moderated by Dipl.-Ing. Markus Lüling, editor-in-chief at K-Profi. All interested parties are cordially invited to attend the discussion – participation is free of charge.
