Discover the latest products and technology at ACHEMA 2024. © ACHEMA
ACHEMA 2024 will feature over 750 presentations across lecture halls and stages. © ACHEMA
Over 2,500 exhibitors are already confirmed. © ACHEMA
The Innovation Stages will highlight production challenges, and solutions. © ACHEMA
Join the gathering of industry leaders and decision-makers at ACHEMA 2024. © ACHEMA

ACHEMA 2024: Pioneering innovation for the process industry

Apr 12 2024

ACHEMA 2024, the World Forum for Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering and Biotechnology and the world’s leading show for the process industries, will take place in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from 10 to 14 June 2024. Bringing together chemists, engineers, process technicians, biotechnologists, energy and environmental experts, IT specialists and professionals from many other disciplines, the event will address critical industry challenges, particularly focusing on hydrogen, sustainability, circular economy and digitalisation.

Integrated exhibition and congress programme

With over 2,500 exhibitors already confirmed and numbers continuing to rise, ACHEMA 2024 will showcase the latest technologies spanning the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries, covering everything from laboratory innovations to large-scale plant equipment and packaging solutions. Anticipating significant interest from exhibitors, organisers expect a surge in attendance. The previous edition in 2022 attracted over 170,000 participants from 127 countries, with 2,211 exhibitors representing 51 countries, establishing Frankfurt am Main as the global hub for the process industries for an entire week.

ACHEMA 2024 is poised to once again revolutionise the landscape of the process industry with its multifaceted lecture programme, seamlessly integrated with the exhibition. Building on the success of previous editions, ACHEMA 2024 will feature over 750 presentations across lecture halls and stages, offering unparalleled insights into the latest trends and technologies shaping the future of the industry.

“Science and Industry in Dialogue has always been DECHEMA's credo and since the last ACHEMA it has also been a living practice in the lecture and congress programme. The success proves us right: With more than 20,000 listeners, the number of attendees in 2022 was significantly higher than at ACHEMA 2018, which had more participants overall," says Dr Andreas Förster, Executive Director of DECHEMA eV and organiser of ACHEMA.

This year's congress programme will focus on key topics including hydrogen, sustainability, circular economy, and digitalisation. Across six Innovation Stages within the exhibition, as well as five highlight sessions in the congress, ACHEMA 2024 will delve into these themes and more, addressing the pressing challenges and opportunities facing the process industry.

Process Innovation

Process Innovation takes centre stage at the GEA Process Innovation Stage in Hall 9.0, where experts will explore topics such as electrification, flexibilisation, and biotechnologisation of chemical processes. The highlight session, 'Nature as a Role Model – Maximum Resource Efficiency in the Chemical Industry,' is scheduled for Friday, 14 June 2024, from 12:00 to 13:00. It aims to envision a fully resource-efficient chemical industry and explore strategies for its realisation.

Pharma Innovation

Pharma Innovation will be showcased at the ZETA Pharma Innovation Stage in Hall 4.1, with a focus on biopharmaceutical production and advancements in cell and gene therapy. The Pharma Highlight Session is scheduled for 10 June 2024, from 13:00 to 14:00. It will delve into the challenges of decentralised production of cell therapeutics and translational research in the pharmaceutical sector.

Lab Innovation

Now more than ever, the success of laboratory endeavours hinges on cutting-edge technologies and their integration with engineering and production processes. This emphasis on technological advancement is central to the presentations featured on the Lab Innovation Stage in Hall 12.0 at ACHEMA 2024. Moreover, the event will showcase an action area specifically dedicated to the digitalised, miniaturised, and automated laboratories of the future. Alongside highlighting innovative bioanalytics and pharmaceutical applications, ACHEMA 2024 will spotlight sustainability and all aspects related to laboratory planning, construction, equipment and operation. Notably, the SEFA Theatre, hosted by the Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association, will serve as a focal point for laboratory operators, architects, users, and industry experts seeking insights into the latest advancements and successful case studies in laboratory environments worldwide.

Green Innovation

The Green Innovation Stage in Hall 6.0 will address the imperative of climate-neutral production and sustainable practices in the process industries. "ACHEMA is a key platform for bringing industry experts together to address these challenges and foster innovation,” emphasises Matthias Brey, Head of Sustainability Consulting Europe West at EY. The highlight session, ‘Beyond fossil fuels – exploring alternative carbon sources for a sustainable chemical industry’ on Thursday, 13 June 2024 from 13:00 to 14:00, will explore pathways to fossil-free production and the role of innovative technologies.

Digital Innovation

Digital Innovation remains a cornerstone of industry progress, with the Siemens Digital Innovation Stage in Hall 11.0 showcasing key digital trends such as Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. “For the process industry, ACHEMA is the key platform where innovation and practical application come together. We will show how Siemens is connecting the real world with the digital world to create a more sustainable future for our customers," says Axel Lorenz, CEO Process Automation at Siemens. The highlight session, ‘Artificial intelligence and autonomous systems in the process industry’, on Wednesday, 12 June 2024 from 13:00 to 14:00, will discuss will examine the journey towards autonomous systems and the challenges ahead.

Hydrogen Innovation

Hydrogen Innovation takes centre stage at the Siemens Hydrogen Innovation Stage in Hall 6.0, reflecting the pivotal role of hydrogen in the transition to a low-carbon economy. The highlight session, ‘Hyperscaling hydrogen – turning strategy into reality’ on Tuesday, 11 June 2024 from 13:00 to 14:00 will address the challenges of scaling up hydrogen production and infrastructure.

All highlight sessions will take place in the Europa room in Hall 4.0.

Innovation Stages

While the congress sessions will predominantly concentrate on application-oriented research and the transition from proof-of-concept to market entry readiness, the Innovation Stages will highlight present production challenges, best practices, and readily deployable technologies through succinct presentations, all with practical applications in mind. With the exhibition's closer integration of its various components, ACHEMA will provide a comprehensive 360-degree view of all trends and technologies in the process industries. The lecture program stands out as a key attraction, drawing experts and users from 130 countries back to ACHEMA in Frankfurt this year.

ACHEMA Start-up Award

In addition to the lecture programme, ACHEMA 2024 will feature the ACHEMA Start-up Award, showcasing ten innovative start-ups poised to make a significant impact on the process industry. From sustainability solutions to digital innovations, these start-ups embody the spirit of entrepreneurship and technological advancement.

With its comprehensive programme and emphasis on collaboration and innovation, ACHEMA 2024 promises to be a transformative event for the global process industry. As experts and stakeholders from 130 countries converge in Frankfurt, ACHEMA will continue to serve as the premier platform for driving progress and shaping the future of the industry.

ACHEMA 2024 takes place from 10 - 14 June in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Over the following pages we take a look at a selection of exhibitors and products that will be on display. For more information and a detailed programme visit www.achema.de.