On September 24, 2026, industry media outlet VoxelMatters reviewed the inaugural Expo 3D Istanbul: held September 17–19 at the Istanbul International Convention and Exhibition Center, the first edition's visitor and exhibitor numbers far exceeded expectations, and organizers are positioning it as a key node in the global additive manufacturing event calendar connecting the Eastern and Western AM industries. At this expo, several Chinese materials companies exhibited directly, most notably metal powder producers Vilory (booth D230) and Avimetal: Vilory showcased its full product line, including TC4, TA15, and T70X titanium alloy powders, GH4169 and GH4099 superalloy powders, as well as high-strength aluminum alloy, cobalt-chromium alloy, MIM-grade TC4, mold steel, and high-thermal-conductivity copper alloy powders, targeting the Turkish, European, and Middle Eastern markets; polymer filament maker SUNLU also exhibited. Notably, no Chinese equipment manufacturers exhibited directly this year, despite the fact that Chinese-made metal additive equipment was running at numerous booths on the show floor. This structural contrast — 'equipment going global, brands absent' — became a focal topic in the expo review. Value for powder buyers: ① AM demand is emerging in Turkey and the Middle East, and East-West distribution channels for titanium alloy and superalloy powders are taking shape; regional agency and inventory channels for domestic powder brands such as Vilory are worth tracking; ② inquiries from Central and Eastern European/Central Asian customers for standard grades such as TC4 and GH4169 may increase; ③ it is advisable to watch exhibitor and equipment maker branding trends at the next expo to gauge regional market maturity.