Fakuma 2020: Digitalization and the circular economy

Around 2,000 exhibitors are expected to attend the 27th Fakuma – International Trade Fair for Plastics Processing – from Oct. 13-17, 2020, in Friedrichshafen, Germany. They give trade visitors a comprehensive overview of all plastics technologies – from injection molding, where Fakuma holds a leading position worldwide, to extrusion technology, thermoforming and 3D printing. In addition to current processes, technologies and tools relating to plastics processing, the topics of digitalization, resource conservation and recycling management will also be covered.

Fakuma occupies all available hall space in the modern exhibition center on Lake Constance. In 2018, 1,933 exhibitors from 40 nations and nearly 48,000 trade visitors from 126 countries came to Lake Constance. The trade fair is highly respected in the industry. “For us as traditionally the largest exhibitor and co-founder of the trade show, Fakuma has a very high significance. It is characterized by practical relevance combined with professional competence, a favorable location in the border triangle of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and a familiar atmosphere. And this recipe for success is still working very well today,” confirms Dr. Christoph Schumacher, Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at ARBURG GmbH + Co. KG.

For Arburg, the focus of this year’s trade show is on the topics of digitalization as well as resource conservation and the circular economy. The company aims to provide answers to important and pressing questions for the world of plastics processing and use. “Always with the aim of increasing our customers’ production efficiency,” says Dr. Christoph Schumacher.

Sandra Füllsack, CEO of motan holding gmbh in Constance, will focus on the topic of circular economy at this year’s Fakuma. “In doing so, we will present new products, but also optimizations that contribute to energy efficiency and resource conservation in the field of materials management.” Sandra Füllsack explicitly refers to the contribution that the industry can make to the complex of sustainability: “Responsible handling of plastics starts with the design of the products and only ends when we close the loop again at the end of the life cycle. The task of mechanical and plant engineering is to enable the processing of recyclates as well as new biobased or biodegradable materials while meeting the high quality requirements for the end product. The approaches to solutions are diverse and do not only relate to the material or the processing. Digitization also makes a contribution to recycling, for example, by giving the end product its material data along its life cycle. The important thing is that we look at the entire value chain in everything we do.”

At Fakuma, exhibitors and trade visitors can hold technical discussions and exchange ideas in pleasant and inspiring surroundings. Dr. Christoph Schumacher underlines the high visitor benefit: “Visitors to Fakuma benefit from its practical relevance. The focus is not on visionary concepts for the future, but on practical solutions that customers can use immediately to increase the efficiency of their production. Personal contact also plays a major role. Visitors appreciate being able to examine the exhibits live and discuss concrete projects directly.”

Fakuma, organized by the trade fair company P. E. Schall GmbH & Co. KG, is the leading trade event in the field of injection molding. The internationally important industry event will take place in Friedrichshafen from October 13 to 17, 2020.