Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: The global process industry will soon gain a powerful new platform in the Middle East, as DECHEMA, the organiser of ACHEMA, the world’s leading trade show for the process industry, partners with Messe Frankfurt to launch ACHEMA Middle East in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2026. Supported by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, the event will be held every three years and aims to advance industrial innovation and economic diversification across the wider Middle East and North Africa region.

ACHEMA Middle East will serve as a key regional hub for sectors critical to industrial development and transformation, including process machinery and equipment, engineering & asset lifecycle solutions, hydrogen & green tech, process automation, digitalisation & industry 4.0 solutions, pharmaceutical manufacturing & bioprocessing, and lab, quality control & analytics. By providing a platform to showcase the latest equipment, engineering solutions, and sustainable technologies, the event will support the regional drive for localisation, sustainability, and technological advancement.

As Saudi Arabia prepares to host this influential event, ACHEMA Middle East is set to promote collaboration and partnerships across the GCC and MENA region, aligning with national development strategies, including Vision 2030 and similar industrial initiatives taking place in neighbouring countries. The event will play a central role in driving investment and innovation in process industries, contributing to broader economic diversification efforts across the region.

Reflecting strong regional and international interest, the event is expected to welcome around 400 international exhibitors and will feature a comprehensive congress programme, providing opportunities for regional and international industry leaders, policymakers, and technical experts to exchange insights, showcase innovation, and address the challenges and opportunities shaping the sector.

Dr. Björn Mathes, CEO of DECHEMA Exhibitions, stated:
“With Messe Frankfurt, we have found a strong partner who shares our vision of further expanding ACHEMA internationally, moving into new markets and adding new, future-oriented elements to our programme. Messe Frankfurt brings its vast expertise in the international trade show business and its worldwide network to the table. At the same time, we contribute our in-depth sector knowledge and technological expertise from the chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry – not to mention the experience and community that comes from organising ACHEMA for over a hundred successful years. This opens up excellent opportunities for us to firmly establish ACHEMA Middle East and to reach a global audience there.”

Wolfgang Marzin, CEO of Messe Frankfurt, added:
“We are very proud that DECHEMA has been holding its leading event for the chemical industry at our Frankfurt base for 88 years. This is why we are especially pleased to join forces with DECHEMA in setting up ACHEMA Middle East and to launch this renowned brand in a whole new region.”

As it makes its debut in 2026, ACHEMA Middle East is set to become a key meeting point for advancing the industrial landscape of the GCC and MENA region, promoting cross-border cooperation, and reinforcing the region’s position as a growing hub for process industry innovation.

About ACHEMA

ACHEMA is the world forum for chemical engineering, process engineering and biotechnology. The world’s leading show for the process industry takes place in Frankfurt every three years. The spectrum ranges from laboratory equipment, pumps and analytical devices to packaging machinery, boilers and stirrers to safety technology, materials and software, thus covering all the needs of the chemical, pharmaceutical and food production  industries. The accompanying congress, featuring scientific lectures and numerous guest and partner events, complements the wide range of exhibition themes. The next ACHEMA will take place from 14 to 18 June 2027 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

About DECHEMA

DECHEMA Gesellschaft für Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V. (Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology) brings together experts from a wide range of disciplines, institutions and generations to promote scientific exchange in chemical engineering, process engineering and biotechnology. DECHEMA identifies and evaluates emerging technological trends and facilitates the transfer of research results into industrial application. Over 5,500 engineers, scientists, students, companies and institutions belong to the non-profit association. DECHEMA Ausstellungs-GmbH organises international flagship and specialist events, drawing on the technical, organisational and professional expertise of DECHEMA. DECHEMA e.V. and DECHEMA Ausstellungs-GmbH are joint organisers of ACHEMA. 

About Messe Frankfurt

The Messe Frankfurt Group is the world’s largest trade fair, congress and event organiser with its own exhibition grounds. With a workforce of some 2,300 people at its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and in 28 subsidiaries, it organises events around the world. Group sales in financial year 2023 were more than € 609 million. We serve our customers’ business interests efficiently within the framework of our Fairs & Events, Locations and Services business fields. One of Messe Frankfurt’s key strengths is its powerful and closely knit global sales network, which covers around 180 countries in all regions of the world. Our comprehensive range of services – both onsite and online – ensures that customers worldwide enjoy consistently high quality and flexibility when planning, organising and running their events. We are using our digital expertise to develop new business models. The wide range of services includes renting exhibition grounds, trade fair construction and marketing, personnel and food services.

Sustainability is a central pillar of our corporate strategy. Here, we strike a healthy balance between ecological and economic interests, social responsibility and diversity.