Fakuma Show 2026

Higher quality, but lower quantity.

Following the "K" trade fair in 2025, the focus shifted to Fakuma as the leading trade fair for the plastics industry in 2026. However, one might ask how long this will remain the case—there are fewer visitors, fewer exhibitors, and a higher proportion of exhibitors from outside Europe. A summary of the fair on "Plasticker" reveals that, compared to a peak of over 48,000 visitors in 2017, the figure for 2026 has fallen to just under 36,000. The trend for exhibitors is similar, though with a one-year time lag: from a peak of just over 1,900 exhibitors in 2018, the number has dropped to approximately 1,550 in 2026. Conversely, the percentage of international participants—both among visitors and exhibitors—has steadily increased. This suggests that while the fair has become more international, it may no longer be providing the platform that the European audience requires.
Meanwhile, events like the KPA (now held in Ulm and Leipzig) and the KUTENO in Bad Salzuflen (following its acquisition by Easyfairs in 2022) have successfully established themselves as alternatives within the plastics industry, with trade fair concepts that have been very well received.

Despite the decline in visitor numbers, MKV draws a very positive conclusion. The discussions that took place were of a higher quality. While it is always difficult to predict whether these will lead to actual orders, the nature of the exchanges suggests a positive trend.

In total, a team of six from MKV attended the fair. And, of course, the "infamous" green-and-yellow wire mesh container was there, too.