The development of the additive industry is often a source of confusion, conflicting forecasts, and the recurring question: are we facing the end of its exponential growth or the beginning of a new stage of industrial consolidation? Every year, there is an event that helps us better understand the global industry and gives us clues to answer these questions: Formnext. In the upcoming edition, Spain, with the participation of the Spanish Additive Manufacturing Association (ADDIMAT), will take on a central role as guest country, showcasing its contributions to European advances in additive technologies, as well as its global influence.
Spanish additive manufacturing is at a decisive moment. In recent years, the national sector has positioned itself as one of the most dynamic hubs in Europe. At the heart of this evolution is ADDIMAT, which for more than ten years has been dedicated to promoting the industrial adoption of 3D processes, connecting all actors on the supply and demand side, and projecting Spanish excellence on the international stage. Formnext 2025 could not go unnoticed, and the association has prepared an interesting program to introduce Spanish 3D companies to visitors from all over the world.
ADDIMAT and ICEX are preparing the Spanish Pavilion at Formnext, where visitors will be able to meet key Spanish companies in the additive manufacturing industry.
Why Look to Spain at Formnext 2025?
In the halls of Formnext, every company and every country tells its own story. Ours is that of an industry that has grown thanks to a strategy of national cooperation, and its example is one of the reasons why many will want to visit its stands at Formnext this year. Since its creation in 2015, ADDIMAT has achieved something rare: building a cohesive national ecosystem that spans the entire value chain, from machinery and materials manufacturers to service providers and end users. “Our project accelerates the adoption of additive manufacturing in Spain, connecting innovation with industrial use,” explains Naiara Zubizarreta, director of the association and finalist in the AMbassador Award category at the Formnext 2025 awards.
With more than 100 member companies, it is clear that ADDIMAT represents the sector and acts as a driver of collaboration, international visibility, and strategic analysis. Thanks to its work and the dynamism of its member companies, Spain has established itself as one of the fastest-growing European markets for additive manufacturing, recording 27% growth in additive manufacturing equipment consumption and a 37% increase in the 3D printing business over the last year.
During Formnext 2025, ADDIMAT, with the support of ICEX, will coordinate the Spanish Pavilion. A 200 m² space in Hall 12.0 (stand C121) will bring together ten companies whose innovations will be presented in guided tours of the stand. It will also serve as an information center for visitors interested in the Spanish ecosystem, and a guide to Spanish exhibitors will be distributed so that they can easily find the other Spanish companies located at other stands and pavilions at the fair. ADDIMAT will also present a new interactive online map so that visitors can locate suppliers and manufacturers in the country.
ADDIMAT will celebrate its tenth anniversary during Formnext 2025
As a grand finale, on Wednesday, November 19, at 5:30 p.m., ADDIMAT will celebrate its tenth anniversary with a networking event at its own stand, accompanied by Iberian ham and wine, an open invitation to connect with the Spanish ecosystem.
A European Voice for Additive Manufacturing
ADDIMAT’s influence is not limited to the Iberian Peninsula. The association also plays an active role in shaping the future of additive manufacturing in Europe as a founding member of AM-Europe, the European additive manufacturing platform, an initiative promoted by CECIMO, the European Association for Manufacturing Technologies. This network brings together ten national associations and represents more than 700 companies on the continent and virtually all of Europe’s production capacity, joining forces to strengthen dialogue with the European Commission and position additive manufacturing as a strategic technology for industrial competitiveness. Spain’s leadership in this alliance is reinforced by the fact that Virgilio García, president of ADDIMAT, also chairs AM-Europe. Under his leadership, Spain has become a key player in defining the European roadmap for 3D printing.
ADDIMAT’s work also goes beyond institutional representation. The association promotes projects, events, and activities that strengthen cooperation between companies, technology centers, and industrial users. Its initiatives include international missions, conferences and technical seminars, grouped stands at trade fairs, and participation in strategic projects such as the GO3D ecosystem! A consortium funded by the CDTI, aimed at strengthening national capabilities and connecting technological supply with real market demand. In addition, ADDIMAT is part of AFM CLUSTER, which brings together more than 800 advanced manufacturing companies in Spain, creating synergies with key sectors such as machine tools, robotics, automation, and digitization.
ADDIMAT has become a key player in the adoption of 3D printing in Europe
A Decade of Growth Sets the Direction for the Industry
“Additive manufacturing is not an isolated discipline, but rather another tool for industrial manufacturing,” concludes Zubizarreta. For international visitors, Formnext 2025 will be a unique opportunity to discover how this reality is materializing, not only in Spain, but around the world, and to connect with an ecosystem that is shaping what the sector will look like in the near future. Perhaps there is no single answer to the question of whether additive manufacturing is experiencing a period of growth or industrial consolidation. But what Formnext demonstrates every year, and what Spain symbolizes in this edition, is that maturity does not mean stagnation, but rather an opportunity to rethink how, where, and for whom we manufacture. We invite you to learn more about ADDIMAT HERE.
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*All Photo Credits: ADDIMAT