Anniversary edition of Cleanzone: review and restart give reason to celebrate

Anja Diete und Frank Duvernell tauschen sich über 10 Jahre Cleanzone aus. (Quelle: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH) / Anja Diete and Frank Duvernell exchange views on 10 years of Cleanzone. (Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH)

The 2010s - a decade full of changes: Smartphones, electric cars as well as Covid-19 shaped the last ten years and posed new challenges and impulses for cleanliness technology. In the past years, cleanliness technology has received more and more attention and experienced strong growth. Since 2012, Cleanzone has brought international companies and visitors together in Frankfurt am Main, making it an important meeting place for the cleanroom technology sector. The anniversary edition will take place on 23 + 24 November 2022 in Frankfurt am Main.

Ten years of interesting innovations, ground-breaking developments and exciting lectures - definitely a reason to celebrate. Anja Diete, Show Director Cleanzone, and Frank Duvernell, Managing Director Cleanroom Future and concept creator Cleanzone, agree. We invited the two of them to look back together and learned some interesting facts.

The first edition of Cleanzone took place in 2012. How did it come about in the first place?

Anja Diete: "Ten years ago, we, Messe Frankfurt, held Cleanzone - International Trade Fair for Cleanroom and Cleanliness Technology, Hygiene and Contamination Control - for the first time. Before that, Frank Duvernell, initiator of Cleanzone, approached our "New Business" division with an elaborate concept. The idea was to present all topics from design, construction and layout to qualification, measurement technology and ongoing operation for a wide range of applications. Since then, Cleanzone has taken place every year - with the exception of the pandemic - and has developed into the unmissable international and interdisciplinary meeting place for cleanliness technology. Even then, the Frankfurt location with all its advantages was best suited for the ever-growing sector and its applications in industry."

A trade fair on cleanroom technology was nothing new at that time. How does Cleanzone differ from other formats?

Frank Duvernell: "Some successful trade fair and congress concepts had developed for users and the industry, but they were usually too one-sided. There was either a clear focus on the pharmaceutical industry or not all industrial sectors in which cleanroom technology is used today and in the future were covered. Precisely as a cross-sectional platform, Cleanzone serves medical technology, the food industry, optics, microtechnology, the automotive sector, the pharmaceutical industry as well as aerospace and manufacturing pharmacies. This coming together of different industries and the resulting interdisciplinarity, which Anja has already mentioned, distinguishes Cleanzone from other formats. Furthermore, it was important to me to create an industry platform that makes innovations in cleanroom technology visible. With the Cleanroom Award, since 2019 Cleanzone Award, we have succeeded in this and we have been able to honour innovations in the industry every year."

How do you see the future development of Cleanzone?

Anja Diete: "We are really proud when we look back at the individual issues of Cleanzone. So much has happened in the last ten years. Especially in terms of the sharp increase in the use of smartphones, the expansion of electromobility and the progress of renewable energies. Unfortunately, there have also been developments, such as the war in the middle of Europe, but also the Corona pandemic, which have not left the industry and the trade fair business unscathed. All in all, the challenges and developments of the last few years have once again brought cleanroom technology into focus. Solutions are being found in various areas, including supply chain issues, critical infrastructure, energy efficiency, sustainability and digitalisation. We are also seeing a strong increase in exhibitors for this year. With 82 exhibitors from 17 countries, we have more registrations and space rentals than ever before."

What can visitors look forward to in particular?

Anja Diete: "Definitely on a diverse supporting programme and on personal exchange with international companies. Another new feature this year is that the Cleanzone Conference is a free part of the trade fair. This means that participation is included in the admission ticket. Over two days, top-class lectures will highlight and discuss topics such as energy efficiency, important new developments in international quality standards, sustainability, but also transport systems for cleanrooms as well as new educational strategies for the next generation. In addition, the Cleanzone Award 2022 will be presented to companies and movers and shakers in the industry who have developed innovative solutions in cleanroom technology. Visitors will be able to vote for the winner from the five nominations on site."

And what are you personally looking forward to the most?

Frank Duvernell: "I am pleased that Cleanzone has grown so much over the last ten years and that both international suppliers and users can meet and exchange ideas here at the highest level, initiate innovative and sustainable projects and find corresponding partners. It is extremely important for us to present ourselves with our stand and our services and to pick up on the mood and demand in the market."

Anja Diete: "I am extremely pleased that after two years of pandemic we are finally able to organise a Cleanzone event live on site again and to see old familiar faces but also new ones. I'm particularly looking forward to the industry's innovations, successful discussions and a great trade fair atmosphere."

Cleanzone, international trade fair for cleanroom and cleanliness technology, hygiene and contamination control, will be held in Frankfurt am Main on 23 and 24 November 2022.