The signs for the trade fair are good: Achema is receiving positive impetus from its core industries. According to the ZVEI, sales in electrical process automation grew by 8.8% in 2017. The organizers expect Achema to benefit from these effects and possibly slightly exceed the figures from previous years. "We are seeing significant growth in some exhibition areas - such as automation, pharmaceutical, packaging and storage technology, but also in mechanical process engineering - which gives rise to positive expectations," says Dr. Thomas Scheuring, Managing Director of Achema Ausstellungs-GmbH. Specifically, around 3800 exhibitors and 167,000 participants from over 100 countries are expected.

This year's edition of the trade fair will reflect the digitalization trend - especially with the two focus topics 'Flexible Production' and 'Chemicals and Pharma Logistics'. Another important point is modularization - from engineering to automated operation. ZVEI, Namur, Dechema and VDMA want to show what flexible production looks like in practice with the joint theme stand 'Modular Production' in Hall 9.2, Stand D41.

In addition to the exhibition, the presentations in the congress program will provide insights into current research and present the latest scientific findings.

At the 'Practical Forums', topics relevant to the market and practice will be presented and discussed in close proximity to the respective exhibitor groups. The focus here is on industrial applications, trends and new products and services in the fields of chemical engineering, biotechnology and the process industry.

Founder award for the second time

The Achema Founders' Prize, which was awarded for the first time in 2015, will also be presented on the first day of the trade fair as part of the opening session. In the competition sponsored by Dechema, High-Tech Gründerfonds and Business Angels FrankfurtRheinMain, 21 potential entrepreneurs submitted business plans from all areas of chemical engineering, process engineering and biotechnology. Ten finalists will be able to present themselves at the Achema Founders' Award stand. The three overall winners will be announced during the opening ceremony and will each receive prize money of 10,000 euros.