ACHEMA 2006 – World-Class Engineering Achievements and Investment Decisions Begin Here

As the leading international platform for suppliers of equipment to the chemical industry and all other sectors of the process industry, ACHEMA will once again provide a vital stimulus for the continued development of technology, worldwide contacts and new business relationships.

4,000 exhibitors from 50 countries and nearly 200,000 visitors from 100 nations including 40,000 decision makers will ensure that ACHEMA retains its leadership role as the flagship event for the process industries. Although there has been a noticeable tendency to delay registration, bookings received six months in advance of ACHEMA (3,300 bookings received by December 2005) already exceed the 2003 level. New registrations arrive on a daily basis, and the latest status is available online at www.achema.de. A number of contracts, especially with co-exhibitors, are still pending.

As usual, Pumps, Compressors, Fittings and Values (826 as of December) and Laboratory and Analysis Equipment (600 as of December) will be the largest groups of exhibitors followed by Thermal Processes, Mechanical Processes, Engineering, Instrumentation Control and Automation, and Pharmaceutical, Packaging and Storage Techniques. The exhibitors will display their latest developments and products on around 140.000 m2 of net exhibition space in 10 halls and on the grounds outside.

Strong demand for system solutions and synergy effects

Similar to 2003, growth in the number of exhibitors was highest in the categories Pharmaceutical Packaging and Storage Techniques, Pumps, Compressors, Fittings and Valves, and Thermal Processes. This year’s special show, “Service Providers for the Process Industry” will show the largest growth in exhibition space and number of exhibitors. This reflects increased demand in the industry for holistic solutions and integration of external service providers into company operations. Prof. Gerhard Kreysa, CEO of DECHEMA and event organizer, explained that “the range and depth of these complete, state-of-the art solutions for all sectors of the process industry and the excellent synergy effects for exhibitors and visitors alike, which result from interaction between the different exhibitor groups, underline the leadership position of ACHEMA”.

ACHEMA 2006 – emerging industrial nations square off against the competition

The proportion of international exhibitors continues to grow at ACHEMA. Emerging countries from the Asian region including China, India and South Korea along with Eastern European countries, for example the Czech Republic, are showing an increased presence at ACHEMA. Foreign exhibitors now account for 42 % of the total (as of December 2005), which exceeds the quota at of the any previous events (2003: 40.9 %, 2000: 37.7 %). Apart from Germany, the largest contingents come from Italy, Switzerland, the UK, the USA and France. The total number of German exhibitors is down somewhat (due to concentration in the industry following insolvencies, mergers and acquisitions). South Korea, China, India, the Czech Republic, Italy and Holland showed the strongest growth in percentage terms (for countries with at least ten exhibitors).

ACHEMA points the way: the economic outlook looks bright

ACHEMA 2006 will be held on May 15th – 19th in Frankfurt am Main. As the flagship event for equipment suppliers to the process industry, the show expects to benefit from a favorable economic climate. OECD forecasts remain optimistic, and growth outside of Europe has given a boost to Germany industry which is a major exporter to the rest of the world. Figures released by VDMA point to increased turnover and business expansion in drive engineering, fluid engineering, pumps and systems, large projects and water and waste water systems. This trend is expected to continue as the economic recovery in Germany gains momentum.

ACHEMA Congress turns the spotlight on tomorrow’s innovation

A dialogue with potential users and customers at an early stage is a vital step which can help turn excellent research results into innovative products. Around 800 talks on topics that cut across the whole range of exhibitor groups and a carefully planned series of talks on current R&D trends in all sectors of the process industry (chemicals, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, foodstuffs, etc.) reflect the current dynamism of the industry. The topics include microreaction technology, nanotechnology, the use of alternative solvents, industrial biotechnology, the increasing intelligence of process machinery and systems, responsible and economical use of air, water and energy resources and renewable or recyclable raw materials.

Four panel discussions featuring high-profile personalities will look at sensitive economic and social issues. The topics are “Certificate Trade: Experience and Outlook from the Perspective of the Chemical Industry”; “REACH – Chemical Approvals in Europe”; “Elite Universities – Vision and Reality” and “Across the Petrochemical Frontier” which will look at what is likely to happen when the oil age comes to an end.

World’s leading platform for integrated environmental protection and industrial biotechnology

Environmental protection and biotechnology are recurring themes which are found throughout ACHEMA. Both of these industries use engineering solutions which are borrowed from the chemical process industry. There will be 1,500 exhibitors from the environmental protection industry and 1,100 exhibitors from the biotechnology industry at ACHEMA, making it the world’s largest platform for embedded environmental protection solutions and for equipment, processes and services in the biotechnology industry. One third of visitors at ACHEMA cite environmental protection engineering as their main focus, and there is a similar level of interest in biotechnology.

“Industrial Biotechnology Exhibition & Partnering Conference”

A two-day partnering conference focusing on “Industrial Biotechnology” with participation by international research organizations and companies will highlight the growing importance of “white” biotechnology. The latest results and products from the R&D sector along with services and the bio business will be at the top of the agenda. A large workshop program will provide an insight into the global potential of industrial biotechnology, with particular emphasis being placed on the high growth markets in China, Eastern Europe, India, Japan and the US. International incentive programs will be presented which are intended to promote the formation of networks in this sector.

Hot topic: the increasing importance of automation solutions in the process industries

New: NAMUR discussion panels and EU Cooperation Fair

Automation solutions are becoming an increasingly important factor throughout the process industries, from the chemical industry to biotechnology and environmental protection. NAMUR (association of users of process control technology) will provide strong impetus for the automation engineering sector at ACHEMA. For the first time, around 20 discussion panels will take place in Hall 10.1 in close proximity to the exhibitors. Experts will lead discussions on topics ranging from instrumentation and process control systems to plant management, process management, communications, explosion protection and instrumentation. Hasso Drathen, NAMUR Business Manager for ACHEMA worldwide, expressed the view that “economic, organizational and technological trends will lead to changes in automation systems in the near future”. The direction will be set at ACHEMA. The cooperation fair, which will be organized by the European Network of Innovation Relay Centres to kick start European-wide research and technology collaboration, will be another new event at ACHEMA.

Special show: Service providers for the process industries

At 8 – 12 % of turnover, logistics and supply chain costs represent a significant portion of production costs, and this makes them an attractive target for cost savings initiatives. The biggest potential lies in optimized logistics flows which can be fine tuned to meet specific process and production requirements. Distribution networks, global purchasing and sales as well as carefully-selected locations with good infrastructure can make an important contribution. This year’s ACHEMA special show, “Service providers for the process industry”, will be dedicated to innovative strategies such as chemical logistics, supply chain management, chemical parks, contract production and research service providers. A range of services will be on display in the special show in Hall 1.2 and in numerous presentations.

ACHEMA Worldwide Business forums: focusing on China and the Middle East

The opportunities and risks for companies in the industry today must be viewed in the context of the world economy. Industry experts will provide first-hand information about the dynamic developments in China and the Arab region at two ACHEMA worldwide forums:

• “China on the verge to an innovation super power” (May 16th) and
• “The Middle East – upcoming hot spot for the world’s process industry” (May 17th).

ACHEMA Recruitment Forum: Recruitment forum for exhibitors and job candidates

Following the success at the last ACHEMA show, DECHEMA would once again like to support exhibitors in their search for suitable candidates to fill job openings. The Internet-based job forum makes it possible to tap into the unparalleled resource pool of around 200,000 ACHEMA visitors. Exhibitors and job candidates can make contact prior to the show at www.achema.de.de/recruitmentforum or at a centrally located information stand during the show. The forum will be available online from March 31st – July 31st, 2006.

Excellent visitor service

Given the expected number of exhibitors (around 4,000) and the unavoidable flood of information, visitors will need to come well prepared to ensure that their visit to ACHEMA is both efficient and successful. To help visitors get ready for the show, DECHEMA has set up an excellent Internet-based visitor service. A wealth of information about exhibitors, the congress programme and media information will be available online starting in January 2006. Users will also be able to access “WOICE of ACHEMA” (World Catalogue of International Chemical Equipment) from March until the end of ACHEMA free of charge to search for exhibitors, products, new developments, etc. and to map out the route they will take during their visit. The visitor service will also include online tickets and an electronic catalogue for PDAs. A brochure containing all of the information which visitors need will be published at the end of January, and it will also be available on the Internet.

To see the full range of information and services for exhibitors, visitors and the press, please visit the ACHEMA website.