ACHEMA 2009 from May 11th – 15th in Frankfurt am Main is still on the road to success. So far the econonomical situation has had no consequences for the leading worldwide event of the process industries. "We assume that ACHEMA 2009 will be even a bit larger than ACHEMA 2006", said Prof. Dr. Gerhard Kreysa, CEO of DECHEMA and organizer of ACHEMA, on the occasion of a press meeting on January 27th in Frankfurt. Exhibitors continue to show a high level of interest. "We notice the aspiration rather not to miss an event like ACHEMA – especially in a time like this." As the most important international exhibition congress for chemical engineering and the process industries ACHEMA is the platform for new technologies and products, but also for worldwide exchange and setup of new business connections.
The trend for internationalization of the c. 4,000 exhibitors expected continues. Booked space so far (January 2009) is only 1.5% below the final level of ACHEMA 2006, and new bookings are arriving every day. The exhibitor list is updated daily and available on www.achema.de .
Various drivers of innovation
Up to now, there is no significant shift between exhibition groups. Pumps, Compressors, Valves and Fittings make up the largest group of exhibitors (944 on January, 28th), and numbers are still growing. They are followed by Laboratory and Analytical Techniques (671 exhibitors), Engineering (567 exhibitors) and Thermal Processes, Mechanical Processes, Instrumentation, Control and Automation Techniques and Pharmaceutical, Packaging and Storage Techniques.
ACHEMA 2009 is once again the innovation forum for the process industry. Energy efficiency remains an important driver for innovation, as well for individual components as for measurement and control technology. Process intensification maintains a crucial role. In addition, new topics like advanced fluids and microreaction technology have also entered into industrial applications, and some interesting new developments can be expected.
Trend for internationalization continues
The proportion of international exhibitors at ACHEMA continues to grow. The quota of foreign exhibitors at ACHEMA 2009 is increasing further in comparison with 2006. Compared to 44% in the year 2006, the organizers expect a plus of 2%. Noticeable is e.g. the increasing number of Chinese companies: In 2006 57 of them attended the exhibition. This year, there are already 84 bookings from China.
Keen interest in the congress
Expectations for attendance are also optimistic. Exhibitors make extensive use of the new ticket booking system. "Via exhibitors, we reach new target groups" explained Professor Kreysa. And there is another indication that the number of visitors will be high: From experience, it correlates with submission of papers, and the response to the congress was noticeably higher than in the past. The program consists of 925 lectures on topics like white biotechnology, advanced fluids / ionic liquids, microchemical engineering, process intensification and energy generation and supply. Many of them are also covered by the exhibition, but several sessions present emerging trends. "Topics of today`s congress will be seen in tomorrow`s exhibition" summarized Professor Kreysa the interplay between the two aspects of ACHEMA. Besides the main lecture series special sessions deal with upcoming research trends like microalgae.
Panel discussions pick up topics of public interest
Four panel discussions with high-ranking personalities from politics, economy and science are addressing topics of public interest: "Raw materials off the field – Help by genetic engineering?", "Biosafety Regulations – how can we find a proper level?", "Tomorrows` university – from ‘Reformstau’ to ‘Reformstress’", "Energy Supply in the Future – difficult decisions between statism, market and opportunism" are the questions; panel members include Sigmar Gabriel, German Federal Environment Minister, Dr. Stefan Marcinowski, member of the BASF executive board, Prof. Dr. Ferdi Schüth, director of Max-Planck-Institute of Coal Research and vice-president of DFG (German Research Foundation), and Heather Sheeley, Health Protection Agency (GB) among others.
Special Show "Chemistry and Biotechnology for Renewable Resources and Energy"
The Special Show "Chemistry and Biotechnology for Renewable Resources and Energy" brings together exhibitors presenting established processes as well as processes that are still in the stage of development. Topics include processing of renewable resources, biopolymers, solarchemical processes, energy storage and photovoltaics. "As this is a cross-sectional topic which is part of the portfolio of many exhibitors, it will not be restricted to the special show but run through all exhibition groups" predicted Professor Kreysa. Thus, the special show touches also the traditional general topics at ACHEMA, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, which are presented by c. 1,000 exhibitors each.
Excellent visitor services
Starting immediately, exhibitors and visitors can plan their visit at ACHEMA. All important information can be found in the program which is available in print and online on www.achema.de . Visitors with PDAs and mobile phones will find information on a dedicated platform on http://pda.achema.de . For research on exhibitors and products the database WOICE provides extensive information. Registered users can use its full functional range year-round. From March to the end of ACHEMA the database on www.woice.de will be accessible to everyone free of charge. The catalogue and the Handbook New Developments will be published in time for the opening of ACHEMA. For congress members abstracts of all lectures will be assembled on CD-ROM.
Partnering Conference Industrial Biotechnology
At the "Industrial Biotechnology Exhibition and Partnering Conference" on May 12th and 13th, national and international research institutions and companies present their application-oriented and market-ready products and services as well as cooperation opportunities.
ACHEMA worldwide Business Forum
The Business forum on May, 12th deals with the burning issue "China`s energy strategy and perspectives". On May, 13th the topic will be "Sustainable chemical engineering made in France".
Established collaboration: NAMUR expert round tables
After the great success in 2006, the NAMUR expert round tables in hall 10 will again be an inherent part of the ACHEMA programme. From Monday afternoon until Friday noon experts discuss current topics of instrumentation, control and automation techniques under the slogan "Automation in Dialogue".
A chance for career: ACHEMA Recruitment Forum
Being the largest event of the process industries, ACHEMA is an ideal opportunity to build contacts between employers and job seekers. The ACHEMA Recruitment Forum brings them together: Starting from March 31st 2009, job offers and job applications can be published for free on www.achema.de/recruitmentforum . Additionally the jobvector Forum in hall 6.3 provides extensive information for job candidates throughout the whole ACHEMA.