Trade fairs, conferences and events

The BiFo Biegeforum will take place in Siegen from March 5 to 10, 2026, and will focus on current developments in forming technology with a strong practical orientation. In addition to online technical presentations, a conference day on site will provide an opportunity for exchange between science and industry. Fraunhofer IST will be represented by a presentation by Hanno Paschke on the topic of “Boride surfaces for forming”.

On March 5, 2025, the Photonics Hub Symposium “Hyperspectral Imaging” will take place in Nierstein. The event offers a comprehensive overview of current developments and future trends in hyperspectral imaging. In addition to technological fundamentals, practical application examples and innovative uses will also be presented. Dr. Michael Vergöhl will give a presentation on gradient filters.

On March 19, 2026, Prof. Dr. Michael Thomas from Fraunhofer CCEM will present the latest findings on “Circular Polymer Production Technologies” at PIAE 2026. The presentation will show how closed-loop polyamides can be produced, processed, and made usable for automotive components. Particular attention will be paid to the analysis of secondary materials and suitable surface pretreatments for optimal painting.

The 4th European Automotive Decarbonization and Sustainability Summit 2026 will take place in Frankfurt from March 23 to 24, 2025, and will address CO₂ neutrality in the automotive industry with a focus on sustainable supply chains, production, materials, and current regulatory frameworks. Prof. Dr. Stephan Krinke, an expert in sustainability management and life cycle engineering, will give a presentation on cost-efficient decarbonization along the automotive industry's value chain.

At the 2nd European Automotive Circular Economy Summit 2026, taking place in Frankfurt from March 23 to 24, key strategies for sustainable and circular automotive production will be discussed. The focus will be on new recycling technologies, material-efficient vehicle concepts, regulatory developments, and digital solutions for transparent value chains. Prof. Dr. Stephan Krinke will give several specialist presentations on behalf of Fraunhofer IST, contributing his expertise in sustainable materials, life cycle engineering, and circular business models to the program.

The PBP World Meeting 2026 in Prague is an international conference on pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical process and production technology. Fraunhofer IST will be represented with two poster presentations on March 26, showcasing innovative approaches to surface modification and plasma treatment for improved pharmaceutical processes.

SPIE Optical Systems Design is an international conference on optical systems, thin-film technologies, and photonic applications. Fraunhofer IST will be represented with three contributions covering topics such as stress management in thin-film processes, microstructured bandpass filters for smart farming applications, and robust infrared coatings for the LWIR range.

From April 20 to 24, 2026, the Hydrogen Campus Salzgitter will be exhibiting at Hannover Messe, the world's leading trade fair for the manufacturing industry. As in the previous year, the Hydrogen Campus will have its own area at the Salzgitter AG booth, where it will provide insights into current projects, technologies, and applications relating to hydrogen along the industrial value chain.

Future Day for Girls and Boys at the Fraunhofer Campus gives school students practical insights into the research work carried out at Fraunhofer IST and WKI and provides a hands-on introduction to science and technology.

The 69th SVC Technical Conference will take place from April 25 to 30, 2026, in Long Beach and is one of the most important international events in the fields of coating, thin-film, and surface engineering. It provides a central platform for exchange between research, industry, and early-career professionals on future technologies, industrial applications, as well as digitalization and artificial intelligence. Fraunhofer IST is contributing to the conference with several presentations.