Fraunhofer IGB at the formnext

Frankfurt am Main / November 18, 2025 - November 21, 2025

formnext

Industry platform for additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing

Hall 11, booth D31

As the hub for Additive Manufacturing, Formnext is the international meeting point for industrial 3D printing experts and production professionals from a wide range of application industries.

Fraunhofer at the formnext

Fraunhofer IGB will be represented within the Fraunhofer Competence Field Additive Manufacturing with its expertise in 3D-printed biomaterials for regenerative medicine, fungus mycelium-based materials, and bio-printed cultured meat.

Personalized implants through 3D bioprinting

Modell eines Sprunggelenks mit Knorpel, Sehne und Bändern — © Fraunhofer IGB

3D bioprinting using modified biomaterials

In addition to classic additive manufacturing processes that use metals or plastics as printing material, the use of biogenic raw materials has established itself as a new branch in recent years. In order to replicate the biochemical and mechanical characteristics of healthy cartilage and tendon structures, we developed 3D bioprintable scaffolds using methacrylated biomaterials. These modified biomaterials offer the advantage of flexibility in adjusting the stiffness of the hydrogel scaffolds through the process of photopolymerization. Consequently, by enhancing these hydrogel scaffolds with the addition of cells and nanoencapsulated regenerative factors, we anticipate a significant improvement in cell growth and differentiation.

Mycelium-based materials for lightweight construction, as biodegradable components and bioactive filters

Per 3D-Druck hergestelltes pilzmyzelbasiertes Material — © Fraunhofer IGB

Mycelium ink development for 3D printing of engineered living materials

Fungal mycelium is a promising material for a new generation of sustainable, bio-based composites that are biodegradable and made from renewable raw materials. As part of the EU project LoopOfFun, Fraunhofer IGB is researching engineered living materials (ELMs), biologically active structures based on living fungal cells that grow into predefined shapes. ELMs can be deliberately kept alive – for example, for use as bioactive filters – or deactivated after shaping, e.g., by heating, to obtain durable and inert building components. Fraunhofer IGB presents 3D-printed materials based on mycelium that can be used for sustainable lightweight constructions, as biodegradable components, and in biologically active filter systems. 3D printing of ELMs enables free, precise design and faster prototype development.

Inks and materials for 2D/3D printing and bioprinting

Cultivated meat

Antibiotic-free cultivation and bioprinting of in-vitro fat

Lab-grown cultivated meat holds the potential to revolutionize the meat industry. Since cultured fat plays a key role in replicating the flavor and texture of beef, new strategies for growing and differentiating primary bovine cells are needed. At Fraunhofer IGB, we have developed cultured fat in the form of spheroids, designed to serve as building blocks for future cultivated meat products. By using antibiotic-free media and animal-free, edible carrier materials, our approach is also suitable for commercial use. Using standardized protocols, we are able to control cell differentiation, spheroid formation, and 3D bioprinting within the carrier materials—steps that could facilitate large-scale production. Testing revealed that the fatty acid profile of the lab-grown fat closely mirrors that of native bovine fat, bringing it one step closer to matching the taste and texture of traditional meat.

Events and trade fairs

Frankfurt am Main / November 18, 2025 - November 21, 2025

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Fraunhofer at the formnext

We will be there ...

Meet us in hall 11, booth D31!

Fraunhofer Competence Field Additive Manufacturing