At a press conference held today, the organiser of Formnext Asia Shenzhen announced a renewed strategic direction for the 2025 edition of the trade fair. With a focus on delivering deeper value to the fast-evolving additive manufacturing (AM) market in China’s Greater Bay Area (GBA), the organiser unveiled plans to sharpen the fair’s focus across the AM value chain spanning equipment, materials, software, and post-processing technologies. This move aligns the Shenzhen event more closely with the global Formnext brand and aims to meet the demands of a rapidly maturing, high-tech industrial ecosystem. Supporting this strategy will be a series of newly introduced partner-led pavilions and fringe programmes, co-developed with key industry stakeholders.
Speakers at the event highlighted the remarkable trajectory of China’s AM industry, which is expected to exceed RMB 63 billion (USD 8.8 billion) in value by 2025. Mr Edmond Lai, Chief Digital Officer of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and CEO of its Mainland Business, underscored the sector’s immense potential, noting a thirty-fold growth over the past decade. As the event’s newly appointed technical partner, HKPC will present highlights from the “HKPC-HP 3D Printing Technology Centre” Asia’s first facility equipped with HP’s metal and polymer platforms for research-grade applications. Their dedicated pavilion will showcase advanced materials developed for both traditional and emerging sectors, while offering businesses in the GBA access to next-generation innovation.
HKPC will also participate in the upcoming “China Additive Manufacturing Go-Global Special Seminar,” where it will introduce “The Cradle – Go Global Service Centre.” This one-stop support hub provides services that include international standards alignment, product localisation, IP protection, and overseas regulatory compliance empowering GBA enterprises to expand confidently into global markets. Mr Lai remarked that with nearly three decades of experience in AM research and development, HKPC possesses full-chain capabilities to help transition technologies from lab-scale prototypes to commercially viable solutions.
The province of Guangdong, home to nine of the GBA’s mainland municipalities, continues to play a central role in advancing China’s AM sector. Its network of approximately 400 enterprises, collectively valued at RMB 13 billion (USD 1.8 billion) in 2024, spans a complete value chain with distinct industrial specialisations: Guangzhou excels in R&D and incubation, Shenzhen in equipment and services, Dongguan and Foshan in large-scale manufacturing, and Zhongshan in medical customisation.
Mr Liu Yihua, Chairman of the Guangdong Mechanical Engineering Society, attributed this success to targeted public-private collaboration, including active university-industry integration and policy support through initiatives such as the “Laser and Additive Manufacturing Industry Cluster Action Plan.” In line with this agenda, the Society will co-organise the second edition of the Laser and Additive Manufacturing Forum at the fair, working closely with the Additive Manufacturing Branch and Messe Frankfurt’s local office in Guangzhou. The forum will feature 18 presentations on laser-based AM applications, intellectual property strategies, market development, and international regulatory topics.
Complementing these efforts, the fringe programme will deliver sector-specific content for key GBA industries such as new energy vehicles, 3C electronics, mould making, footwear, and 3D print farms. Hong Kong’s strategic role as the GBA’s international trade and service hub will also be emphasised, with a strong presence from companies specialising in precision engineering, material science, and digital production.
The Hong Kong 3D Printing Association, drawing from its 500-member network, will host a dedicated pavilion with over 20 companies and organise B2B matchmaking sessions to connect member companies with potential buyers. Mr Alex Ng, Vice Chairman of the association, emphasised the importance of enhancing Hong Kong’s integration with the GBA and expanding into the Southeast Asian market. “Through this exhibition, we aim to help our members grow regionally and tap into new market opportunities,” he stated.
The fair has already reported an 80% year-on-year increase in AM-related exhibitors, with global leaders such as BLT, Farsoon, HBD, and HP among the confirmed participants. Exhibitors from countries including France, Germany, Singapore, Spain, and the United States will also join the event, while buyer delegations are expected from Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore demonstrating the fair’s rising international appeal.
Mr Richard Li, Chairman of Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd, reflected on the broader mission of the event, stating: “China’s AM market is one of the fastest-growing in the world. With its advanced infrastructure and skilled workforce, the Greater Bay Area is well-positioned to lead the sector’s next wave of development. Our goal with Formnext Asia Shenzhen is to create a platform that not only showcases cutting-edge innovations but also fosters business partnerships and knowledge exchange. We are committed to building a more open, collaborative and innovation-driven AM ecosystem for Asia.”
With just under a month remaining until the show opens from 26 to 28 August at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center, the event promises to be a landmark edition that reflects both regional strength and global ambition in additive manufacturing.