Skip
All press releases

Formnext Asia Shenzhen 2026 draws a full house, with visitor attendance up 65% and international attendance up 157%

3 Sep 2026

Formnext Asia Shenzhen concluded another landmark edition on 28 August, connecting the global additive manufacturing (AM) sector and its user industries at their annual meeting point in Asia. Held in Shenzhen, the high-tech manufacturing centre of China’s Greater Bay Area, the exhibition drew a total of 34,202 visitors from across China, throughout Asia and further afield. Overall visitor attendance grew by 65% over 2025, accompanied by a 157% rise in international attendance and a considerably broader international presence at the exhibition. New fringe programme sessions focused on some of Asia’s most promising areas for AM, including robotics and embodied intelligence, data centre cooling and AI infrastructure, and 3D printed footwear. Record attendance and strong interest in the new programme additions demonstrated growing demand for AM solutions and the momentum behind their adoption in Asia’s high-growth industries.

Key figures from Formnext Asia Shenzhen 2026:

  • 34,202 visitors (65% increase) from 113 countries and regions
  • 41,986 visits
  • 1,887 overseas visitors (157% increase)
  • 330 exhibitors
  • 20,000 sqm of exhibition space
  • 13 forum sessions, with over 100 presentations

Malaysia and Thailand were the two largest sources of international visitors, followed by Russia, Singapore, the United States, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and Vietnam. Seven of the ten leading international visitor markets were in Asia.

The 330 exhibitors presented materials, printers and equipment, software, services and post-processing technologies for metal, polymer and ceramic additive manufacturing. Solutions for aerospace and the low-altitude economy, 3C electronics, robotics, new energy vehicles, footwear and fashion showed the growing range of industries adopting AM for faster, more flexible production. Many also chose Formnext Asia Shenzhen to introduce new equipment and technologies to the Asian market.

Alongside its showcase of industrial solutions, the fair’s 3D Print Farm and Consumer Products Zone attracted print farm operators, makers and SMEs working with or exploring desktop additive manufacturing. With Shenzhen recognised as one of the world’s leading centres for desktop 3D printing equipment manufacturing, the zone covered uses ranging from accessible entry points for new adopters to mass-customised production through larger print farms.

Crowds gather in Hall 15 of the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center for Formnext Asia Shenzhen 2026

The exhibition’s newest fringe programme additions also attracted strong participation. The Global AM Channel Partner & Dealer Matching Meeting brought 27 international channel buyers together with 16 Chinese and Korean suppliers of additive manufacturing equipment and materials. Participating distributors, dealers and service providers came from markets across Africa, the Americas, Asia and Europe, including Burkina Faso, France, Iran, Mexico, Nepal, the Philippines, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain and Zimbabwe.

The inaugural International 3D Printed Footwear Design Awards attracted more than 100 entries, with 30 awards presented across footwear design, brands, manufacturing equipment and materials. Process-specific categories covered FDM, DLP/LCD and MJF/SLS technologies, alongside awards for UV-curable materials and wider brand and design achievements. View the full list of award recipients here: https://qr.messefrankfurt.com/v180d

Exhibitor feedback:
“At Formnext Asia Shenzhen, we launched our new dual-laser M420G for the mass production of copper and thermal-management components. Shenzhen’s strength in these applications made it a fitting place for the debut. We saw a significant increase in booth traffic over 2025 and met many professional visitors with specific applications to discuss. The exhibition also supports technical exchange among industry peers and closer coordination across the supply chain.”
Mr Jinglong Tang, General Manager, Han’s Matrix3D Technology Co Ltd

“Shenzhen is unique in terms of density. You have this combination of knowledge, passion and people bringing new ideas to life quickly. From electronics and EVs to humanoid robotics, OEMs and manufacturers work closely together here. What we value most about Formnext Asia Shenzhen is that its visitors are on the front line of manufacturing. They come with a purpose or a problem to solve, making this a fitting place to debut our new MJF 1200 in Asia Pacific and open MJF technology to more enterprises, in-house facilities and universities.”
Mr Hua Zhao, Head of Greater China Market, HP Additive Manufacturing Solutions

“Formnext Asia Shenzhen has grown considerably since we first exhibited here. We are meeting Shenzhen-based manufacturers and service bureaus working across motors, electronics, robotics and footwear, alongside visitors from Africa and North America. The exhibition gave us an opportunity to debut our new CF-250, developed following feedback on the CF-200 shown at Formnext Frankfurt, and share our work in humanoid robotics through the forum programme.”
Mr Hanbo Wang, Application Engineer, Overseas Support, TPM 3D Printing Technology Co Ltd

“We came to understand customer preferences in different markets, including Southeast Asia and Japan. We also welcomed partners from Europe and the United States. It was interesting to see how priorities differed: domestic visitors focused on materials for aesthetic and engineering applications, while overseas visitors were particularly interested in drying equipment and FGF pellets for industrial printing. I also gained ideas for the future direction of our materials, including pet prosthetics and home education.”
Mr Xinhong Chen, Brand Specialist, Guangdong Sunlu Technology Co Ltd

“Formnext Asia Shenzhen felt like a great match for us. Many visitors understand 3D printing, but desktop CNC machining is still new to them, so there was considerable curiosity about our technology. We brought the Makera Z1, our software and an interactive materials display so people could touch the materials and experience the complete process themselves. The booth was so busy that we hardly had time to leave, with visitors discovering how much they could create themselves.”
Ms Monica Wurina, Marketing Director, Makera

Visitor feedback:
“Our main business is dental products, including dentures and dental photography. As our field becomes more closely connected with 3D printing, we are becoming more involved ourselves, so I came to explore polymer systems for our own use. What stands out at Formnext Asia Shenzhen is the wide selection of machines, materials and printed applications, giving us a good opportunity to explore the systems available on the market.”
Mr Nick Shevko, Sales Manager, FullMedical

“This was my first visit to Formnext Asia Shenzhen, and it left a positive impression. The exhibitors were of a high standard, and there were many new machines, products and technologies worth following, including among the Bambu Lab Creative Award entries. Having another exhibition alongside it meant we could explore a different field in the same visit, make broader industry connections and find new possibilities for cooperation.”
Mr Weiran Chen, Deputy General Manager, Shenzhen Shenjia Grid Technology Co Ltd

Speaker feedback:
“For people working in footwear, Formnext Asia Shenzhen is the most relevant additive manufacturing show to attend. Shenzhen has the print farms, equipment and materials manufacturers, while nearby Dongguan has a strong footwear industry. The first International 3D Printed Footwear Design Awards brought those worlds together, recognising innovation, commercial success and manufacturability. As chair and a speaker, I was delighted to see a full, professional audience for my presentation on design, sustainability and the EU’s forthcoming Digital Product Passport requirements.”
Ms Nicoline van Enter, Founder & CEO, Footwearology

“As a first-time visitor, I was impressed by China’s mature additive manufacturing supply chain and the quality of its technologies and products. With Korea’s AM industry still developing, an influential event like this gives us an important way to connect with the Chinese market. Speaking at the 3D Printing Technologies in Mould Making Summit allowed me to share developments in Korea and encourage greater cooperation between our markets, particularly in combining AM with traditional mouldmaking.”
Mr Choi Myoung Jong, Head of Exhibition Marketing, Korean Mould Industry Association

Formnext Asia Shenzhen 2026 was held alongside PCIM Asia Shenzhen 2026, Asia’s leading exhibition and conference for power electronics, intelligent motion, renewable energy and energy management. PCIM Asia Shenzhen recorded 25,313 visits from across the power electronics industry, with the co-location creating further opportunities for exchange between the two industry communities.

Online interest in Formnext Asia Shenzhen was also strong, with its official photo livestream recording more than 360,000 visits.

Dates for the next edition of Formnext Asia Shenzhen will be announced in due course. For more information about the exhibition, please visit www.formnext-shenzhen.com or email formnextasia@china.messefrankfurt.com.

Organised by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd, Formnext Asia Shenzhen is part of the international Formnext event family, headlined by Formnext, the world’s largest trade fair for additive manufacturing and the next generation of production. The next edition of Formnext will take place from 17 – 20 November 2026 in Frankfurt, Germany.

- End -

Press information and photographic material:
https://formnext-sz.hk.messefrankfurt.com/shenzhen/en/press.html

Background information on Messe Frankfurt
The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,700 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 29 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2025 were about € 766 million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events.

Messe Frankfurt develops new business models based on its digital expertise. Its range of services encompasses venue rental as well as exhibition stand construction, marketing services, staffing services, and catering.

Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Maintaining a balance between environmental and economic responsibility, social responsibility, and diversity lies at the heart of its approach.
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com/sustainability

With its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, the company is owned by the City of Frankfurt (60 percent) and
the State of Hesse (40 percent).
For more information, please visit our website at: www.messefrankfurt.com

Download