ACHEMA 2015: Information and Innovation

In 2015 for the first time, exhibitors from abroad are expected to be in the majority at ACHEMA. The list of top trends at the show includes system and process modularization and automation, energy and resource efficiency and integrated process development. All of this requires networking between different industries and technologies. The ACHEMA App and ACHEMA Partnering platforms provide an ideal networking environment.

The global process industry is looking forward to the upcoming event in Frankfurt. Over the course of a week on roughly 132,000 m² of exhibition space starting on June 15th 2015, nearly 3,800 exhibitors will be showcasing their products, technologies and expertise targeted at chemical production and the pharmaceutical and food processing industries. In selecting three focal topics, ACHEMA has identified some main threads which will run through all of the exhibitor groups. Innovative process analytical technology, industrial water management and the BiobasedWorld platform for the bio-based industry and biotechnology are themes which will appear at various points in the exhibition and Congress. The special publications, markings and ACHEMA App provided by the organizers contain background information and act as orientation aids to assist visitors who have a special interest in these topics.

Information and interaction with ACHEMA Partnering

ACHEMA Partnering provides a simple means of selectively contacting potential collaboration and business partners in the run up to the show and during the event as well. Following simple free registration at www.achema.de you can set up a profile, search and contact other users and arrange to meet them at ACHEMA. The partnering function is also available in the free app. In addition, you can use the app to create your own individual congress schedule and plan your tours through the exhibition halls. 

Key trends at ACHEMA

System and process modularization and automation will be a major theme common to all exhibitor groups, from lab technology to packaging.  
Energy and resource efficiency including industrial water management is another key topic which remains on the agenda and leads further down the road to process integration. Heat and raw material recovery and closed-loop processing create the need for holistic analysis and design of energy, material and heat flows right from the start.

The onward march of internationalization

Current registrations reflect the increasingly international character of the event. For the first time, more than 50% of exhibitors will come from outside the country. The largest foreign contingents are from China and Italy which are competing for second place (behind Germany) in the exhibitor number rankings. The US, the UK, India, Switzerland and France are next on the list. There is also a big increase in the number of exhibitors from Taiwan, Turkey and Spain. Exhibitors from 55 countries in total will take part in the world process industry forum. 

The biggest increase is in the Pharmaceutical, Packaging and Storage Technology exhibitor group which has literally outgrown Hall 3 and has now spread to the Forum and the Agora Pavilion. Pumps, Compressors, Valves and Fittings is still definitely the largest exhibitor group, highlighting ACHEMA’s role as the world’s biggest show for this sector. The Instrumentation, Automation and Control Technology group is also bigger this time around, which is hardly surprising given the increasing importance of automation. 

Meeting ground for researchers, developers and users

Around 800 talks will be given at the ACHEMA Congress, providing a window on future innovation again in 2015. The list of major topics will include materials, biorefineries and “conventional” process technology. The PRAXIS forums are a new format which places some of the themes closer to “their” exhibition halls, giving exhibitors and visitors the opportunity to initiate a dialogue and providing a first-hand look at the items on display at the stands. A number of guest events organized by national and international organizations underline the importance of ACHEMA as a meeting ground for professionals from the world of safety engineering, power and nano technology, high-throughput research and other disciplines.

Encouraging innovation: the ACHEMA Start-Up Award

DECHEMA in partnership with the High-Tech start-up fund, Business Angels FrankfurtRheinMain and other sponsors and supporters have launched a special initiative targeted at the exhibitors of tomorrow. The ACHEMA Start-Up Award will be presented for the first time, giving budding entrepreneurs and start-up companies in the fields of instrumentation/analytical technology, energy and industrial biotechnology the opportunity to project their profile to the international trade public. Nine ideas have been chosen and will be on display for the whole week at the Start-Up Award booth in Hall 9.2. The winners in the three categories will be announced at the opening session at 11 A.M. on June 15th, 2015.