“Questions? Get the Answers at Fakuma 2024!”

Am 06.02.2024 fand das regelmäßige Arbeitstreffen des Fakuma-Beirates statt. Von li. n.re.: Andreas Wittur Firma P. E. Schall; Bernd Schäfer, Firma Deifel; Bettina Schall, Firma P. E. Schall; Dr. Christoph Schumacher, Firma Arburg; Annemarie Schur, Firma P. E. Schall; Rüdiger Dzuban, Firma Oni-Wärmetrafo; Prof. Dr. Werner Koch, Firma Koch-Technik; Susanne Zinckgraf, Firma Wittmann (Bild: Schall) / The regular work meeting of the Fakuma Advisory Board took place on 06.02.2024. From left to right: Andreas Wittur, P. E. Schall; Bernd Schäfer, Deifel; Bettina Schall, P. E. Schall; Dr. Christoph Schumacher, Arburg; Annemarie Schur, P. E. Schall; Rüdiger Dzuban, Oni-Wärmetrafo; Prof. Dr. Werner Koch, Koch-Technik; Susanne Zinckgraf, Wittmann (Image: Schall)

Exhibitors and expert visitors will meet at the 29th Fakuma international trade fair for plastics processing from the 15th through the 19th of October, 2024. Roughly eight months before the trade fair opens, it looks like the exhibition halls in Friedrichshafen will be jam-packed once again this year: approximately 1000 exhibitors from 35 countries have already registered – discussions and preparations are running at full bore.

Twelve exhibition halls and several foyer areas were almost entirely booked out in October 2023 with 1636 exhibitors from 40 countries – 10% more than at the previous Fakuma in 2021. “It looks like Fakuma 2024 will also be close to fully booked out again,” says Annemarie Schur, Fakuma project manager at trade fair promoters P. E. Schall. “We’re extremely busy and our discussions are currently in full swing! High levels of internationalism, satisfied exhibitors, enthusiastic expert visitors, forward-looking topics – we’ll surely experience a plastics celebration once again this year,” confirms the project manager.

“Fakuma is one of the world’s most important trade fairs on our agenda,” emphasises Michael Wittmann, president of Wittmann Technology in Vienna. “Fakuma has managed to retain its relaxed atmosphere, even though it’s becoming more and more important at the international level. Typical Fakuma visitors are highly qualified, thus making it possible to engage in especially intensive, top-quality discussions.” Wittmann stresses the strong thematic focus on the requirements of the trade fair visitors. Market-ready innovations are showcased at Fakuma, which yield immediate benefits for business operations.

Fakuma is also a must-attend event for Dr. Friedrich Kastner, managing director of Collin Lab & Pilot Solutions in Maitenbeth, Germany: “Fakuma is one of the most important trade fairs for us in Europe, which is why we were on hand again in 2023 with three companies from the NGA Group. The clear-cut focus on the plastics industry is highly convincing and is also reflected by the large number of visitors at our booth, as well as the outstanding exhibitor mix.”

Europe’s Most Important Trade Fair this Year

At the beginning of February 2024, the Fakuma Exhibitor Advisory Board pushed the symbolic start button for the industry highlight at a committee meeting. “Fakuma is the most important trade fair for plastics processors in Europe this year,” says Dr. Christoph Schumacher, head of global marketing at Arburg. “Processors get straight answers at the event. They find out what they can do to improve operations, and how they can increase their efficiency and firm up their resilience, which is especially important in economically difficult times.”

Fakuma is a genuine working trade fair – pragmatic and highly practical. The tried-and-tested format is highly esteemed by all involved parties. Rüdiger Dzuban, head of marketing at ONI-Wärmetrafo, also emphasises the direct benefits for Fakuma’s expert visitors: “For us, as well as for our customers and target groups, Fakuma is one of the most important trade fairs in the German-speaking regions extending as far as Italy and Poland. Emphasis is always focussed on how we can solve potential problems together!” For Werner Koch as well, managing director of Werner Koch Maschinentechnik, there’s no question that mutual, pragmatic problem solving is of the essence: “Fakuma is a very important trade fair because we bring people together here and show them how they can do an even better job.” Efficiency – in terms of energy, processes and resources – is a very pressing issue this year. “By taking a holistic approach, we’re able to identify and leverage enormous potential,” continues Koch, emphasising the major benefits. “In addition to maintaining customer relations, we’re also able to establish new contacts at Fakuma and generate orders, from which we benefit as a company. And not least of all, we greatly appreciate Fakuma’s unique charm!”

Materials, Processes, Energy: the Focus is on Efficiency!

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 the 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 a much 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. “There’s lots to be done – come to Fakuma and get the answers you’re looking for!”, exclaims Dr. Christoph Schumacher with reference to the plastics processor’s routine daily work.

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 will also be at the top of the agenda 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. Traditionally, impressive injection moulding machines have always been fascinating eye-catchers and crowd-pullers.

Recycling and Circular Economy are Becoming Increasingly Concrete

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 will be a further topic for discussion as well.

All plastics processors and users are cordially invited: the industry sector is looking forward to meeting again in Friedrichshafen with many further developments and future-oriented solutions at the 29th Fakuma from the 15th through the 19th of October, 2024.