AchemAsia opens in Shanghai

AchemAsia is thus following its strategy of sharpening its profile and orienting itself more strongly towards the current needs of the Chinese process industry and the current five-year plan. The increase in the number of exhibitors (+11% compared to 2016) shows that this effort is being rewarded. "With the new concept, we are offering exhibitors and visitors a platform that concentrates on the topics that are currently occupying the industry," says Dr. Thomas Scheuring, CEO of DECHEMA Exhibitions, who was very satisfied with the start. The move from Beijing to Shanghai also follows the wishes of exhibitors and visitors, in order to be closer to the industrial centres.

Growing international cooperation

At the opening ceremony, Chinese and German representatives praised the decades of successful cooperation that have made AchemAsia a success story. Chen Lei, Deputy Division Chief at the China Association of Science and Technology, said that AchemAsia had witnessed China's opening and rapid development over the last three decades and accompanied the development of the Chinese process industry in the chemical, environmental and biotechnology industries. Zhao Jungui, Vice President of the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation, emphasized the high internationality and visibility of AchemAsia and expressed his hope that AchemAsia could act as a driver for the development towards a comprehensive community of academia, science, technology and industry with a common future. Jürgen Nowicki, Managing Director, Member of the Board of Directors of Linde Engineering Division and Chairman of the ACHEMA Committee, thanked the organizers for the long lasting good cooperation and underlined the strong roots of AchemAsia in China as well as the high degree of internationality.

Launch of the ISC3 Innovation Challenge

The core topic of "sustainability" also was the read thread of the opening press conference. In recent years, China has restructured its industry, closed old sites and implemented higher environmental and safety standards. Both Professor Hua Wei, Executive Vice President and Secretary General of the Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China (CIESC) and Dr. Cheng Xu, Procurement and Logistics Director at Lanxess and President of the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative emphasized the importance of involving people in this process, saying that good education and training were key to ensuring safety for people and the environment.

Dr. Alexis Bazzanella, Co-Director of the ISC3 Innovation Hub, presented the global ISC3 Innovation Challenge at the press conference. From today until September 2019, start-ups, young companies and (potential) founders can apply with innovations in the field of "Sustainable Building and Life".  
Positive outlook

After the successful opening day, the organisers are looking forward to the coming days of the show with confidence: "As we walk through the hall, we see many attractive stands, and exhibitors and visitors in lively conversation. There is a lot for every player in the process industry to discover here, and I am convinced that many visitors will seize this opportunity," says Dr. Björn Mathes, Deputy Managing Director of DECHEMA Ausstellungs-GmbH, summing up his impressions.

AchemAsia - International Expo and Innovation Forum for Sustainable Chemical Production - is the international technical and scientific exhibition and conference for the Asian market. With about 350 exhibitors from some 20 countries it focusses on the exchange of experience between scientists and engineers as well as between equipment suppliers and users. We draw on 30 years of expertise as event organizers in China with the unique background of 99 years of ACHEMA. AchemAsia takes place every three years. It is organized by DECHEMA and CIESC (Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China) in cooperation with numerous Chinese and international partners. The current AchemAsia will run until 23 May 2019 at the NECC in Shanghai.