The 32nd International Exhibition for Fine and Speciality Chemicals, Chemspec Europe 2017, concluded after two successful exhibition days. From May 31 to June 1 ,2017, international industry experts from the fine and speciality chemicals industry met at the Munich Trade Fair Centre for their major sourcing and networking event in Europe. Prior to the show, the organiser Mack Brooks Exhibitions had already announced a record net floor space of 6,200m2 and an increase in exhibitor numbers of around two per cent.
With a total of 402 exhibitors and 6,476 attendees from all over the world, the specialised industry event could further increase its overall attendance figure (exhibitors, visitors, press and conference delegates), compared to the previous show in Basel. This year’s Chemspec Europe attracted a total of 3,867 trade visitors which represents an increase in visitors of approximately two per cent.
“We are delighted that our exhibitors were actually able to perceive the higher number of visitors at their stands. Aside from the visitors’ high calibre, the exhibitors also valued the fact that they were able to meet existing clients as well as a striking number of new faces”, said Liljana Goszdziewski, Exhibition Director at the organisers, Mack Brooks Exhibitions. “Throughout the two exhibition days, there was a bustling atmosphere in the halls. Chemspec Europe offered international industry experts an ideal platform to conduct successful business deals and exchange views on current trends which were mainly regarding “Continuous Flow Chemistry”, the approaching REACH deadline and the changing competition in worldwide markets.”
At Chemspec Europe 2017, a total of 402 exhibitors from 29 countries showcased a wide variety of fine and speciality chemicals for a large range of applications on a record net floor space of 6,200m2. Compared to the previous year’s event, this represents a growth of five per cent in net floor space and an increase of two per cent in exhibitors. The major European exhibitor countries were Germany, the UK, France and Switzerland; Asian exhibitors mainly came from China and India. The USA was also well represented by exhibitors.
Visitors to Chemspec Europe 2017 came from a total of 67 countries; predominantly from Germany (43 per cent), followed by the UK, Switzerland, France, India, Italy, China, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan and the USA.
The preliminary results of the exhibition survey show that the majority of visitors came from the following industries: pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, petrochemicals, cosmetics, adhesives and sealants, paints and coatings, polymers, biotechnology, colourants and dyestuffs, industrial cleaning as well as water treatment. The majority of visitors were manufacturers, distributors or raw material suppliers and work in research and development or for consulting firms. The main responsibilities of the visitors within their companies were senior management, purchasing and procurement, research and development and marketing.
Visitors were mainly interested in the following products and services: chemical intermediates, general chemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, custom synthesis, agrochemicals, contract and toll manufacturing, catalysts, green chemicals and polymers.
Chemspec Europe works with a large number of renowned partner organisations and offers its visitors a great selection of free conferences on various topics. Due to popular demand, this year’s conference programme was expanded and complemented by additional lectures and workshops.
For the first time, Dr Magid Abou-Gharbia not only moderated the Pharma Outsourcing Best Practices Panel, but also gave a lecture on the topic “Drug development in a changing environment: Current challenges and future opportunities”. BCNP Consultants were also represented for the first time with their conference “Innovative Start-ups: New Chemicals & Industrial Biotechnology” and in addition, the European Fine Chemicals Group (EFCG) returned with their “7th Crop Protection & Fine Chemicals Forum”.
The remaining conference programme consisted of the RSC Symposium, organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry, dedicated to the topic “Continuous Flow Chemistry for Industrial Processes: Across Speciality and Fine Chemical Market Sectors”, the Regulatory Services Conference, organised by REACHReady, the Chemspec Agrochemical Outlook Conference, sponsored by Agrow Magazine, the Chemspec Careers Clinic, organised by Chemical Search International (CSI) as well as the Scientific Update Sessions by Dr Will Watson.
An initial evaluation of the exhibition survey revealed that exhibitors, visitors and conference delegates were highly satisfied with the show. A large majority of exhibitors already secured their stands for Chemspec Europe 2018 whilst on-site. As a result, 72 per cent of the total net floor space is already booked and reserved for the upcoming exhibition.
Chemspec Europe 2018 will take place from 20 to 21 June 2018 in hall 8 of the Koelnmesse in Cologne. The Rhineland is one of the leading chemical regions in Europe, where a large number of chemical parks and approximately 250 chemical companies with more than 80,000 employees are located.
“Chemspec Europe has grown into the central meeting point for industry experts from of the fine and speciality chemicals industry from all over the world. Chemspec Europe is a must for everyone who wants to establish new contacts and do business at an international level. Together with the broad conference programme, which will certainly be expanded further, Chemspec Europe 2018 is an exhibition which should be a fixed date in everyone’s diary”, emphasised Liljana Goszdziewski.