Commenting on the show’s outcome, Liljana Goszdziewski, Portfolio Director of Chemspec Europe and on behalf of Mack-Brooks Exhibitions, states: “We are very pleased to have staged the first Chemspec Europe since before the pandemic. From conversations with exhibitors, visitors and partners, we received positive feedback on the quality of connections formed at the show and general satisfaction with the high profile of attendees. The first results reflect the favourable outlook of the fine and speciality chemicals industry and positively stress the eagerness of the sector to return to face-to-face events. Once again, Chemspec Europe has confirmed itself as the key event to stay up-to-date with current trends, develop strategic relationships and enable business trade.”

A total of 3,162 trade visitors from 57 countries visited Chemspec Europe 2022, with strong participation from Germany and Switzerland, followed by United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain as major European visitor countries. Non-European visitors mainly came from India and USA. The primary responsibilities of the visitors within their companies were senior management, purchasing and procurement, research and development.

287 exhibitors showcased the full spectrum of fine and speciality chemicals for various applications and industries: pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, polymers, food and feed ingredients, flavours and fragrances, pigments and dyes, paints and coatings, household and cleaning chemicals, adhesives and sealants, bio-based chemicals, green chemicals, leather and textile chemicals, electronics and many more. Germany, France, Switzerland, United Kingdom and Belgium were major European exhibitor countries. Non-European exhibitors mainly came from India, USA and China.

An outstanding conference programme highlighting the latest industry trends

Participants in the show had the opportunity to attend a total of 43 conferences covering various topics, from ongoing R&D projects to current outlooks and regulatory challenges facing those in the global chemical supply chain. The conferences did not only offer valuable insights into trends and developments but also encouraged discussions, exchange of expertise and networking between international industry peers. The programme included the “Agrochemical Lecture Theatre”, organised in association with IHS Markit Crop Science, providing a review of the current market and future progress within the agrochemical sector. In the “Pharma Lecture Theatre”, speakers gave lectures on the challenges and prospects of the pharmaceutical industry. The “Pharma Outsourcing Best Practices Panel” brought together the pharmaceutical industry and CROs and CDMOs engaged in contract research and custom synthesis of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) to discuss current issues and strategic approaches to future success.

Furthermore, the conference programme included the “Chemspec Europe Lecture Theatre”, with a strong focus on sustainability, applications of quantum computing, digitalisation and AI, and the “Regulatory Services Lecture Theatre”, presenting current regulatory compliances, chemical regulations and risk assessments. Taking over the “Agrochemical Lecture Theatre” on the first day, the “Innovative Startups” conference, organised in cooperation with BCNP Consultants GmbH and European Chemistry Partnering, presented innovative ideas, substances and approaches in the emerging startups operating within the fine and speciality chemicals industry, with a particular focus on bio-economy, digitalisation and green chemistry.

Date of the next show

The 36^th edition of Chemspec Europe will take place from 24 to 25 May 2023 at Messe Basel, Switzerland. Many exhibitors have already secured their stands for Chemspec Europe 2023 whilst on-site. As a result, approximately 75 % of the total net floor space is already booked and reserved for the upcoming exhibition.