From today, the process industry will come together in the Frankfurt exhibition halls for Achema. Until 14 June, more than 2,800 exhibitors from 56 nations will be showcasing their solutions for the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries. Internationality and innovations were the focus of the opening conference.
With the six innovation themes of Process, Pharma, Green, Lab, Digital and Hydrogen, which are reflected in both the exhibition and the lecture programme, the Achema the key challenges facing the process industry today and in the coming years.
At the opening press conference on 10 June 2024, the main focus was on internationality and innovation. Industry experts emphasised their importance for the Achieving climate targets and overcoming challenges such as security of supply and stable supply chains.
From 10 to 14 June 2024, manufacturers of laboratory equipment and process engineering components, plant manufacturers, automation specialists and materials developers will be showcasing their latest products and processes. Almost two thirds (63 per cent) of the exhibitors come from abroad. This makes Achema 2024 the more international than ever before. Exhibitors from the Asian region are making a major contribution to this: After the number of Indian exhibitors at Achema 2022 had already reached the pre-corona level again and this year amounts to 185 exhibitors, the Chinese participation this year even reaches an all-time high with 438 exhibitors.
„The engine of our industry is far from running smoothly. Our companies generate profits primarily abroad. Politicians must not sugarcoat the situation, but must take decisive action to tackle the largely home-made problems such as excessive bureaucracy, high energy prices and a declining willingness to invest. We need the right balance between ecology, economy and social issues. Only successful companies can maintain and create jobs, pay taxes and achieve ecological goals. Our goal must be an economically strong Europe. Then the EU will also have political weight. And that will be more important than ever in the future.“
Dr Wolfgang Große Entrup, Managing Director of the German Chemical Industry Association
As Chairman of the Achema Committee, Jürgen Nowicki emphasised that Innovations in the field of apparatus and plant engineering are crucial to making the process industry more sustainable: „Digitalisation, automation and new materials offer enormous potential for using resources more efficiently and reducing emissions. However, the introduction of these technologies requires considerable investment and therefore close cooperation between industry, research, politics and the capital market.“ Where this does not succeed, the momentum on the topic of sustainability appears to have slowed - despite all the progress made. „The The road to sustainable production is long and rocky, and there must be no standstill. to take action. Especially now, when the challenges are greater than ever, we must continue to consistently drive forward the transition to sustainable production,“ Nowicki appealed.
In recent decades, the process industry has established itself as a Engine for innovation proven. This is precisely why it is aware of its responsibility to continue developing pioneering technological solutions. „So that both the process industry and many other industries that rely on our expertise can successfully embark on the path to a climate-neutral future,“ says Nowicki.
„As Achema organisers, we also dare to innovate - and it pays off: At the last Achema, we fully integrated the congress into the trade fair for the first time, which brought us a lot of positive feedback and high visitor numbers.“
Dr Klaus Schäfer, Chairman of DECHEMA e.V.
The congress programme at Achema 2024 is top-class and broader than ever before: in up to 25 parallel strands, over 900 lectures, discussion panels and workshops from more than 1,000 speakers await Achema visitors. „I would particularly like to emphasise the fact that the congress Increase of 50 per cent in the number of foreign speakers Achema is also becoming much more international in this respect,“ says Schäfer. However, the topic of innovation will not only play a central role in the congress and the established exhibition: „Achema 2024 will once again offer young companies in the process industry and start-ups a unique opportunity with the Start-up Area. central point of contact and provides a wide range of services for young professionals, students and pupils. This is a concrete contribution to countering the shortage of skilled labour - which is also becoming an increasing challenge for our industry,“ Schäfer concludes.
Source: Achema
