Formnext + PM South China highlights China’s metal powder-based manufacturing ambitions

Formnext + PM South China will return to the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center from August 28-30, 2024, buoyed by a Chinese government report classifying Additive Manufacturing and Powder Metallurgy among the nation’s ‘strategic emerging industries.’

This designation is intended to reinforce the importance of these technologies within the nation’s long-term industrial development strategy and positions them for further research and investment. Worldwide, these advanced manufacturing technologies are seeing increased adoption as their applications broaden across sectors, including automotive, aerospace, defence, dental and electronics.

China’s Additive Manufacturing industry, in particular, has seen substantial growth under this trend, having reportedly expanded at a rate of nearly 30% between 2015 and 2022. This growth has enabled the emergence of a growing number of domestic companies within the sector.

These market conditions also have implications for Powder Metallurgy, which, like metal Additive Manufacturing, relies on powdered metal feedstock. As metal AM systems become more widespread, demand for high-quality metal powders rises in tandem, encouraging advancements in materials and production methods across these complementary supply chains.

In 2024, Formnext + PM South China will unite these interconnected fields once again, aiming to provide a central meeting point for industry professionals to discover new solutions, establish partnerships and drive technological progress. The 2023 event saw a notable increase in both exhibitor and visitor count, at 38% and 41% respectively. This year, the event is reportedly on track to continue this growth with an anticipated 300 exhibitors across 20,000 m² of floor space.

Expert insights at the Formnext + PM South China fringe programme

Alongside the exhibition, Formnext + PM South China 2024 will host a diverse fringe programme designed to provide participants with deeper insights into specialised areas of manufacturing technology and promote information exchange.

These sessions will convene industry experts and leading companies, allowing them to present their latest research, discuss new applications, as well as introduce and unveil new product offerings. The organisers have highlighted the following from this year’s programme include:

• The 6^th China Injection Moulding and Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application Summit
• The 2^nd International Directed Energy Deposition Additive Manufacturing Technology and Application Summit
• The Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing Technology Forum
• The 2024 South China Advanced Ceramics Frontier and Industry Development Forum
• The Laser Additive Manufacturing Forum
• 3D Printing Technologies in Mould Making Summit
• Summit Forum on Frontier Technology and Industrial Development of Silicon Carbide Materials

Formnext + PM South China is jointly organised by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd and Uniris Exhibition Shanghai Co Ltd. The fair is part of a series of international events in the Manufacturing Technologies & Components cluster organised by Messe Frankfurt. Other events within this cluster include:

• Formnext: November 19-22, 2024, Frankfurt, Germany
• Asiamold Select – Shenzhen: August 28-30, 2024, Shenzhen, China
• Asiamold Select – Guangzhou: February 25-27, 2025, Guangzhou, China
• IMTS 2024 Additive Manufacturing Sector – Accelerated by Formnext: September 9-14, 2024, Chicago, USA
• Formnext Forum Tokyo: September 26-27, 2024, Tokyo, Japan

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