(Ismaning/Dortmund, September 16, 2026) The program for the 34th German Material Flow Congress has been finalized. More than 30 speakers from the business and academic communities will discuss challenges and potential solutions in technical logistics on January 26 and 27 at Messe Dortmund. The 2027 theme is “Driving Intralogistics Beyond Limits.” Speakers on the Congress Cube stage will include Carola Appel (Carl Kühne), Stefan Hohm (Dachser), Sebastian Kraft (Mercedes-AMG), and Jacqueline Michalek (Deutsche Bahn).

The program committee has organized the presentations and discussion formats into six major sessions. “Logistics Engineering—Europe’s Key to Success?” and “Innovations and Best Practices” are the overarching themes of the sessions on January 26. The following day, high-profile experts will speak on the topics of AI and digitalization, sustainability, circular economy, and the digital product passport.

The sessions will be led and moderated by, among others, well-known German researchers—such as Prof. Dr. Johannes Fottner (Technical University of Munich), Prof. Dr. Alice Kirchheim (Technical University of Dortmund / Fraunhofer IML), and Prof. Dr. Thorsten Schmidt (Technical University of Dresden).

“For decades, this long-standing conference has been a symbol of the intersection of science and business. This allows theory to be immediately evaluated by practitioners. The conference thrives on this direct—and at times controversial—exchange,” says conference director Prof. Dr. Johannes Fottner.

Following its successful premiere in April 2026, the event for users, suppliers, planners, consultants, and researchers will take place for the second time as part of TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS at the Dortmund Exhibition Center. Prior to that, the community met for more than two decades at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) in Garching. The VDI Society for Production and Logistics serves as the technical sponsor. The conference is supported by the chairs in the fields of technical logistics and material flow at the Technical Universities of Dortmund, Dresden, and Munich.

Since the conference is taking place as part of TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS in Hall 7, participants’ tickets grant them access to TEST CAMP. “For us, the theory doesn’t end at the conference door: Just 50 meters from the stage, participants can try out more than 100 curated innovations for themselves—from forklifts to robots and AI solutions to exoskeletons. This combination of knowledge and hands-on experience is what makes the format unique,” says Thilo Jörgl, manager of TEST CAMP. As is tradition, the innovations on display will include the finalists of the global innovation competition, the IFOY AWARD 2027, who will undergo an audit there.

Networking after the testing won’t be neglected either: Congress participants, exhibitors, and visitors to the test event will come together at the joint Networking Night on January 26 to enjoy dinner, drinks, and music from DJ XMBA.

The program for the German Material Flow Congress can be found at www.testcamp-intralogistics.com

German Material Flow Congress (MFK)

The German Material Flow Congress (MFK) has become the premier gathering for the intralogistics industry. It is organized by the VDI Society for Production and Logistics. The two-day event is Germany’s leading platform for exchange, knowledge transfer, and networking among manufacturers, users, planners, and researchers in this sector. Each year, the congress focuses on a current key theme, which is brought to life through presentations and panel discussions featuring experts from research and industry. A key component of the program is presentations based on real-world experience—for example, on topics such as digitalization, automation, and sustainability.

Under the theme “Driving Intralogistics Beyond Limits,” the MFK @TEST CAMP 2027 focuses on technologies and strategies that go beyond traditional automation. The focus includes, among other things, artificial intelligence, robots, and networked systems that not only automate processes but also intelligently control them, learn, act autonomously, and reintegrate humans into the process. The conference will explore how these developments can be translated into practical and economically viable solutions—with concrete application examples, the latest research findings, and opportunities for lively debate. 

TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS

TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS is a curated testing event featuring an accompanying conference dedicated to innovations and new developments in logistics and intralogistics. Test-drive forklifts and warehouse vehicles, operate all types of warehouse equipment, interact with automated guided vehicles and logistics robots, and try out software—at TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS, it’s all about hands-on testing. Decision-makers from industry, retail, and the service sector with a concrete interest in innovation and investment have the opportunity to test the exhibits themselves and learn about the key trends.

TEST CAMP INTRALOGISTICS also serves as the exclusive venue for the IFOY Audit, during which the finalists for the IFOY AWARD undergo various test series, as well as for the German Material Flow Congress. TEST CAMP is a registered trademark of impact media projects GmbH. The company is headquartered in Ismaning near Munich. www.testcamp-intralogistics.com

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