Positive Outlook for Achema 2012 – Energy and Resources in Focus

The figures speak for themselves. The forecasts for the chemical industry and plant engineering of a stable to slightly positive trend are already reflected in good registration figures: the exhibition groups Instrumentation, Control and Automation Techniques and Pharmaceutical, Packaging and Storage Techniques manifest clear growth rates over 2009 when a total of 3,767 exhibitors and over 173,000 visitors was recorded. The share of international exhibitors is currently around 47 %; the increases from India and China are particularly striking, and also those from several Eastern European countries. Achema, which takes place in Frankfurt am Main in a three-yearly cycle, is the global summit for technology developers, suppliers and users.

The hot topics at Achema 2012 are energy and resources. New energy storage technologies, particularly energy-saving plant, are highly relevant for the energy-intensive chemical industry. Similarly, the increasing use of renewable resources coupled with the application of biotechnological processes is generating new requirements for equipment and technology. Achema spans the complete value chain of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, from laboratory techniques through to packaging technology.

Similarly, with over 900 lectures the Congress programme of Achema 2012 addresses the entire spectrum of process engineering, pharmaceutical production and biotechnology. The focus will be not only on close-to-market solutions, but also on the latest findings from research and industrial application.

BiobasedWorld at Achema provides the bioeconomy with a platform, bringing together representatives from politics, industry and research. The transition to an economy based almost exclusively on renewable resources depends first and foremost on cooperation with the chemical industry. BiobasedWorld also features Technology Transfer Days as well as an Accelerator Forum of the European BIOCHEM project, the rationale being to facilitate market entry for SMEs with biotechnology solutions.

The first-ever Achema Partnering Platform enables exhibitors and attendees to selectively identify potential cooperation partners, initiate contacts and schedule meetings with them well in advance of the event.

An extensive supporting programme with guest events and panel discussions rounds off the impressive variety of the Achema spectrum. NAMUR, ARC Advisory Group and ZVEI, for instance, offer a discussion forum for manufacturers, users, consultants and public authorities with the focus on "Automation in Dialog".