Trade fairs, conferences and events

The application seminar on plasma technology for optimized adhesion on March 3, 2026, offers practical insights into modern plasma technologies for optimized adhesion. Current atmospheric and low-pressure processes, process control options, and surface analysis methods will be presented. Participants will test their own samples on various systems and gain insights into the COAD® process developed by Fraunhofer IST as well as automation and diagnostic solutions from partner companies Tantec A/S and Plasus GmbH.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

The Circularity Days 2026 conference on May 20 and 21 in Wolfsburg will address key issues relating to sustainable, circular production. In an interdisciplinary exchange between industry and science, current research results, technological innovations, and strategic approaches to implementing circular value chains will be presented. The event thus offers a compact overview of developments, challenges, and solutions in the context of sustainable mobility and manufacturing systems.

On June 9, 2026, Fraunhofer IST is hosting the 48th edition of the Industry Working Group on Tool Coatings and Cutting Materials (IAK) in Braunschweig. The event will focus on current developments in tool coating and machining technology for aircraft construction, including new tool and cutting concepts, the machining of lightweight and high-strength materials, as well as CVD diamond, plasma processes, and simulation. The IAK is organized by Fraunhofer IST in collaboration with Fraunhofer IPK, IWF at TU Berlin, and INPLAS e. V. On behalf of Fraunhofer IST, Dr. Sarah Baron will present CVD diamond coatings for machining with intermediate layers.

Sensor+Test 2026 is one of Europe's leading trade shows for sensor, measurement, and testing technology and will take place in Nuremberg from June 9 to 11, 2026. Fraunhofer IST will be represented in the Condition Monitoring Area, showcasing applications of thin-film sensor technology for condition monitoring and high-voltage-resistant thin-film sensors on electrical contact partners.