Fakuma 2020: Digitalisation and Circular Economy

Roughly 2000 exhibitors are expected to participate at the 27th Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing in Friedrichshafen from the 13th through the 17th of October, 2020. They’ll provide expert visitors with a comprehensive overview of all plastics technologies – from injection moulding, in which Fakuma occupies an internationally leading position, right on up to extrusion technology, thermoforming and 3D printing. In addition to current processes, technologies and tools covering all aspects of plastics processing, the event will also deal with the issues of digitalisation, resource conservation and circular economy.

Fakuma will occupy all available hall floor space in the modern exhibition centre on Lake Constance. 1933 exhibitors from 40 countries and nearly 48,000 expert visitors from 126 nations came to Lake Constance in 2018. The event is highly esteemed within the industry sector. “As the traditionally largest exhibitor and cofounder of the trade fair, Fakuma is highly significant for us. It’s distinguished by its highly practical approach combined with technical expertise, it’s favourable location where Germany, Austria and Switzerland meet and a friendly atmosphere. And this recipe for success still works very well today,” confirms Dr. Christoph Schumacher, head of marketing and corporate communications at ARBURG GmbH + Co. KG.

Conservation of Resources, Responsibility and Recycling

Arburg will focus on the issues of digitalisation, resource conservation and circular economy at this year’s event. The company intends to provide answers to important and pressing questions for the world of plastics processing and usage. “Always with the goal of increasing our customers’ production efficiency,” says Dr. Christoph Schumacher.

Sandra Füllsack, CEO of motan holding gmbh in Constance, Germany, will above tackle the issue of circular economy at this year’s Fakuma. “We’ll present new products, as well as optimisations, which contribute to energy efficiency and resource conservation in the field of materials management.” Sandra Füllsack refers explicitly to contributions the industry sector can make in the complex area of sustainability: “Responsible use of plastics starts with product design and doesn’t end until we finally go full circle at the end of the product’s lifecycle. Making it possible to process recyclates and new bio-based or biodegradable materials is the job of mechanical and plant engineering, while at the same time fulfilling the end product’s strict quality requirements. There are numerous possible solutions, not all of which involve the material itself or its processing. For example, digitalisation also contributes to the recycling process by furnishing the end product with its material data along its journey through life. It’s important to consider the entire value chain in everything we do.”

High Levels of Technical Expertise, Direct Practical Relevance, Valuable Visitor Benefits

Exhibitors and expert visitors will be able to engage in technical discussions and exchange ideas in a pleasant and inspiring environment at Fakuma. Dr. Christoph Schumacher stresses the great visitor benefits: “Fakuma visitors benefit from the event’s practical orientation. Attention is not only focused on visionary concepts for the future, but rather on practical solutions as well, which customers can use directly to increase the efficiency of their production lines. Personal contact also plays an important role. The visitors appreciate being able to scrutinise the exhibits live and discuss concrete projects directly on-site.”

Fakuma, held by trade fair promoters P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG, is the leading trade fair for injection moulding. The internationally distinguished industry event will take place in Friedrichshafen from the 13th through the 17th of October, 2020.