October, 13, 2026 - Amidst great attention and international interest, the trade fair organiser P. E. Schall opened the 30th Fakuma, international trade fair for plastics processing last Monday. Until Friday, 16 October 2026, 12 exhibition halls in Friedrichshafen will serve as a meeting place for 1,547 exhibitors, offering an overview of the entire world of plastics. To mark the anniversary fair, the organisers awarded the Paul-Eberhard-Schall Medal for the first time to a company with a special connection to both the fair itself and the specialist field of plastics processing: the award went to Arburg, based in Loßburg.

“We are grateful and delighted to be able to celebrate this anniversary fair with you,” said Bettina Schall, Managing Director of the trade fair organiser P. E. Schall, in her opening address. “Forty-five years is a long time; the world as a whole has changed, and the world of plastics has also undergone fundamental changes. Yet the spirit of this event has remained the same as ever: thematically relevant, pragmatic in its approach, solution-oriented in its aims, and with dialogue always taking place on an equal footing.”

Arburg has been one of the closest partners right from the start

In 1981, two people joined forces as equals and laid the foundations for Fakuma: Paul Eberhard Schall and Eugen Hehl, then Managing Director of Arburg, a leading global manufacturer of plastic injection moulding machines, promoted technologies, shaped the future and brought people together through their entrepreneurial and personal collaboration. “They set milestones, shaped an industry and, ultimately, through new products, had a far-reaching impact on people’s everyday lives,” said Bettina Schall in tribute to this collaboration.

Juliane Hehl, Arburg’s current managing director, was delighted to receive the first Paul Eberhard Schall Medal. “The success story of Fakuma did not originate in a strategy paper,” emphasised Prof. Dr. Martin Bastian, Chairman of the Board of “SKZ Das Kunststoffzentrum” in Würzburg, in his laudatory speech. “It arose from entrepreneurial spirit, from trust, from the value of a handshake, and from people who were prepared to take on responsibility. And that is why it is only fitting that the first Paul Eberhardt Schall Medal should go to the company that has been one of this trade fair’s closest partners right from the start.”

12 companies have been part of Fakuma since the very beginning

A tribute was paid to all 12 companies that were present at the very first Fakuma in 1981 and are still among the current exhibitors today: Alongside Arburg, these were Engel Austria, Getecha, Technotrans Solutions, Hasco Hasenclever, Ihne & Tesch, Kistler Instrumente, Werner Koch Maschinentechnik, Mold Masters Europa, Schuma Maschinenbau, Single Group and Wittmann Battenfeld. Bettina Schall presented each company representative with a personal award (photo above: P.E. Schall).

“Fakuma is, without question, of great importance to Friedrichshafen. It brings international companies, experts and decision-makers to our city and generates economic momentum far beyond the exhibition grounds,” said Simon Blümcke, Lord Mayor of Friedrichshafen, in his tribute to the trade fair. “As we celebrate the 30th Fakuma today, my thoughts turn above all to the people who have shaped this trade fair,” said Klaus Wellmann, Managing Director of Messe Friedrichshafen, in his welcoming address. “And there is one person in particular who comes to mind: Paul Eberhard Schall.” If he were here today, Wellmann continued, he would be smiling at the 30th Fakuma and at all the people who have carried on and further developed his idea. The fair’s founder, Paul Eberhard Schall, passed away in February 2016.

Package comprising exhibition, competition, knowledge-sharing and communication

On Monday, 12, the winners of Fakuma Innovation Award 2026 were made public. This innovation competition, featuring six thematic categories, promotes innovation and provides a suitable platform for forward-looking ideas.

On the afternoon of the second day of the fair, the third edition of the Fakuma Round Table took place, this time on the theme of ‘Strengthening our strengths’. This moderated discussion with industry experts has explored the paths that can lead plastics processing companies towards a prosperous future.

On Friday, 16 October 2026, the next ‘Mold your dreams, mold your future’ careers campaign will kick off once again: school pupils, students and those starting their careers will once more have the opportunity to get to know the plastics industry first-hand and make personal contacts.

Throughout the exhibition, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm each day, young companies will present new solutions and ideas for the plastics industry in the Start-up Area.

To protect innovations in the plastics industry, experts from the German Patent and Trade Mark Office (DPMA) will be out and about at Fakuma on Wednesday 14 October and Thursday 15 October 2026, providing information to anyone interested directly at the exhibition stand. Appointments can be arranged at short notice during the fair by calling +49 151 6755 2912; you can also get in touch by emailing info@dpma.de.

Last but not least, all visitors can take advantage of the daily specialist presentations as part of the Knowledge Transfer Forum to exchange know-how and network.

“At this special anniversary fair, too, you will experience the tried-and-tested, well-known trade fair concept: topical relevance, reliability and practical application,” assured trade fair organiser Bettina Schall. “Creating something, making a difference, moving things forward together – that is how Paul Eberhard Schall conceived this trade fair 45 years ago, and it is in this spirit that we will all continue to work together.”