MACH 2026 to showcase UK manufacturing innovation and industrial resilience – 3D Printing Industry

Report on MACH 2026 Exhibition and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

The MACH 2026 exhibition, organized by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), is scheduled for 20–24 April 2026 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. As the UK’s largest event for manufacturing technologies, it serves as a critical platform for advancing several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The exhibition will showcase innovations that directly contribute to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by fostering technological adoption, workforce development, and industrial collaboration.

Advancing SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

MACH 2026 is fundamentally aligned with SDG 9 by promoting the development of resilient infrastructure, inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation.

• Technological Showcase: The event will feature the latest advances in machining, automation, metrology, additive manufacturing, and digital production systems, providing a direct catalyst for industrial modernization.
• Knowledge Hubs: Expanded Knowledge Hubs will offer practical guidance on adopting new technologies, connecting manufacturers with experts in automation, robotics, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to accelerate innovation.
• Additive Manufacturing Integration: The Additive Manufacturing UK (AMUK) Knowledge Hub will provide impartial advice on integrating 3D printing into production, a key technology for building flexible and innovative manufacturing capabilities.
• Resilient Supply Chains: The Engineering Supply Chain UK (ESCUK) will sponsor a Supply Chain Zone to strengthen domestic procurement networks, enhancing the resilience of the UK’s industrial infrastructure.

Fostering SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The exhibition directly supports SDG 8 by promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

• Economic Stimulus: By attracting over 30,000 professionals and a wide range of exhibitors, MACH 2026 stimulates economic activity and reinforces the UK’s push for economic growth and industrial sovereignty.
• Productivity and Efficiency: The focus on technologies that improve productivity and cost efficiency helps companies become more competitive, supporting sustainable growth and the creation of higher-value jobs.
• Sector Confidence: The participation of both long-standing and first-time exhibitors reflects strong confidence in the manufacturing sector’s capacity for expansion and modernization, which is essential for long-term economic health.

Promoting SDG 4: Quality Education and Workforce Development

A central component of MACH 2026 is its commitment to SDG 4, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

• Education and Development Zone: The E&D Zone, sponsored by Iscar Tools, is a dedicated initiative to engage the next generation of engineers and technicians.
• Student Engagement: The zone will host nearly 3,000 students aged 11–18, offering interactive experiences to showcase viable and attractive career pathways in engineering-based manufacturing.
• Skills Pipeline: This initiative directly addresses the industry’s need for a skilled workforce, demonstrating a long-term commitment to workforce development and skills retention in the UK.

Supporting SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

The technologies and practices promoted at MACH 2026 contribute to SDG 12 by enabling more sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

• Material and Energy Efficiency: The Machining & Tooling Knowledge Hub will feature seminars on cutting tool technologies and material optimization, which are crucial for reducing waste, minimizing energy consumption, and improving cycle times.
• Precision and Waste Reduction: Presentations on incremental tooling improvements will equip engineers with data-driven insights to enhance component precision, thereby reducing scrap and rework.
• Sustainable Technologies: The promotion of additive manufacturing supports on-demand production, which reduces material waste compared to traditional subtractive methods and allows for the creation of lightweight, resource-efficient components.

Strengthening SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

MACH 2026 exemplifies SDG 17 by creating a multi-stakeholder platform to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development at a national level.

1. Industry Convener: The MTA acts as a central organizing body, bringing together diverse stakeholders from across the manufacturing ecosystem.
2. Corporate Sponsorship: The involvement of sponsors such as Lloyds Bank demonstrates a partnership between finance and industry to drive technological advancement.
3. Collaborative Innovation: The exhibition facilitates essential face-to-face contact between technology suppliers and buyers, strengthening industrial collaboration and accelerating the diffusion of sustainable technologies.
4. Institutional Support: The participation of supporting organizations like the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, the Metalforming Machinery Makers’ Association (MMMA), Automate UK, and Make UK creates a powerful coalition for advancing research, automation, and industry advocacy.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the MACH 2026 exhibition connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by focusing on industrial advancement, economic growth, education, and collaboration. The primary SDGs addressed are:

• SDG 4: Quality Education – The article highlights the event’s commitment to workforce development and inspiring the next generation of engineers.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – The exhibition’s core purpose is to boost the UK’s manufacturing sector, which directly contributes to economic growth and productivity.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – This is the most central SDG, as the event is a showcase for technological innovation, industrial modernization, and strengthening manufacturing infrastructure and supply chains.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The event is a large-scale collaboration between various stakeholders, including non-profits, private companies, and industry associations, all working towards a common goal of advancing the manufacturing sector.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities and goals described in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.4: “By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.”
     
     Explanation: The article mentions the “Education and Development Zone (E&D Zone),” which will host “nearly 3,000 students aged 11–18” to showcase “career pathways in engineering-based manufacturing.” This initiative directly aims to equip young people with awareness and interest in technical skills relevant to the industry, supporting the goal of workforce development.

2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.2: “Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation…”
     
     Explanation: The MACH 2026 exhibition is designed to “highlight the latest advances in machining, automation, metrology, additive manufacturing, and digital production systems.” By providing a platform for companies to adopt these new technologies, the event directly supports the goal of technological upgrading to “improve productivity and cost efficiency” and reinforce the “UK’s push for economic growth.”

3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.2: “Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization…”
     
     Explanation: The event’s mission to “reinforce UK manufacturing resilience and promote value creation across interconnected industries” aligns with promoting robust industrialization. The focus on strengthening domestic procurement networks through the “Engineering Supply Chain UK (ESCUK)” further supports building a resilient national industrial base.
   • Target 9.5: “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors…”
     
     Explanation: The entire event is a mechanism for upgrading the technological capabilities of the UK manufacturing sector. The “Knowledge Hubs” are specifically structured to “deliver practical guidance on adopting new technologies” and connect manufacturers with experts. The involvement of the “High Value Manufacturing Catapult” also points to a strong link with research and innovation.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…”
     
     Explanation: MACH 2026 is a prime example of a multi-stakeholder partnership. It is organized by the Manufacturing Technologies Association (MTA), a “not-for-profit body,” and involves private sector sponsors like “Lloyds Bank,” numerous exhibiting companies, and supporting organizations such as “Make UK” and “Automate UK.” This collaboration is essential for achieving the event’s goals of industrial advancement.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

1. Indicators for SDG 4 (Target 4.4)

   • Number of students engaged: The article explicitly states the Education and Development Zone “will host nearly 3,000 students aged 11–18.” This number serves as a direct indicator of outreach to young people for vocational awareness.

2. Indicators for SDG 8 (Target 8.2)

   • Adoption rate of new technologies: The success of the Knowledge Hubs in helping manufacturers “integrate new technologies into their processes” can be measured by tracking the adoption of automation, additive manufacturing, and digital systems by participating companies post-event.
   • Productivity improvements: The article mentions the goal to equip engineers with insights for “improving manufacturing throughput.” Progress could be measured by surveying participating companies on improvements in cycle times, precision, and operational costs.

3. Indicators for SDG 9 (Targets 9.2 & 9.5)

   • Number of professional participants: The event is “expected to draw more than 30,000 professionals,” which indicates the level of engagement and knowledge sharing within the industry.
   • Growth in domestic supply chain connections: The success of the “Supply Chain Zone” can be measured by the number of new partnerships formed between UK-based suppliers and manufacturers, indicating a stronger domestic procurement network.
   • Investment in modernization: The presence of “new and returning exhibitors” is cited as a reflection of “confidence in the sector’s capacity expansion and modernization,” which can be seen as an indicator of investment in industrial innovation.

4. Indicators for SDG 17 (Target 17.17)

   • Number and diversity of partners: The article lists a wide range of collaborators, including the MTA, Lloyds Bank, Iscar Tools, the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, and Make UK. The number and variety of these organizations serve as an indicator of a strong multi-stakeholder partnership.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: 3dprintingindustry.com