Duncan Harrison of organiser UK Industry Events looks ahead to the latest iteration of ChemUK
EVENT PREVIEW
Largest ever ChemUK returns in May
Duncan Harrison of organiser UK Industry Events looks ahead to the latest iteration of ChemUK
The ChemUK 2025 ‘ group of events ’ exhibition , the UK ’ s largest B2B event for the chemicals , process engineering and formulated product industries , will return on 21-22 May at the NEC in Birmingham . Opening hours are 9.30- 17.00 on the first day and 9.30 – 16.00 .
ChemUK 2025 will host a record 500 + exhibitors and also a record number of new exhibitors , including Croda , Sulzer Pumps Wastewater , Zwick , Merck KGaA , Arxada , EasyXAFS , GMM Pfaudler , Krohne and Womag Weighing . A full listing is on the website , where you can also register to attend as a visitor free of charge .
The expo is divided into five focused
‘ zones ’ reflecting the full supply chain :
• Chemical Laboratory Show Zone
• Process & Chemical
Engineering Show Zone
• Chemical Supply Show Zone
• Chemical Management Show Zone
• New for 2025 : Formulated Product Manufacturer Show Zone The new zone will focus on downstream chemical user sectors , connecting product brand owners and retailers with specialist ingredient , contract manufacturing , logistics , packing and fulfilment partners . Confirmed exhibitors here include Thomas Swan , Kerax , Cod Beck Blenders , Univar Solutions – Beauty & Care , Briar Chemicals , Wyepak , Surfachem and Safapac , plus many more .
The ChemUK speaker programme is an unmissable opportunity to hear from the heads of industry and academia as they discuss the challenges , opportunities and innovation affecting the UK ’ s chemicals industries landscape in 2025 . The programme brings together over 100 expert sessions across five stages , providing the latest intelligence on critical issues such as regulation , sustainability , innovation and downstream supply chain trends .
Provisionally slated contributors include the IChemE , the Royal Society of Chemistry , Innovate UK , the Henry Royce Institute , the Chemical Business Association , the Chemical Industries Association and BASF , among many others . The full speaker programme will be released in late March . Please see the website for full details .
Attendees will be invited to a full UK government programme at ChemUK . The HSE and DEFRA will be providing industry briefings on 21 May , while the UK Export Academy team will be exhibiting , ready to meet with visitors looking to develop international trade opportunities . The academy team will also be running a one-hour panel session on 22 May , outlining the international trade landscape .
In an industry ‘ first ,’ the heads of several members of the Alliance of Chemical Associations ( ACA ) will come together for a summit panel discussion to address the common challenges and changes affecting the UK ’ s chemical industries . The ACA consists of trade associations representing some 1,400 companies operating in many sectors of the chemical industry supply chain , most of which are SMEs
The Big Education Debate , running on 22 May , will invite senior panel leaders from across academia and industry to
discuss the UK ’ s educational framework and commitment to supporting its science skills and science base requirements . This critical debate comes in response to the recent pressures facing higher education chemistry departments across the UK .
ChemUK 2025 will also present several of the UK ’ s primary innovation support organisations , giving start-ups and spin-outs the opportunity to receive the support they need to continue their development journey towards fullscale commercialisation . Participating partners include the Henry Royce Institute , Innovate UK Business Connect , Aston University , RSC Changemakers , Materials Innovation Factory and the Biorenewables Development Centre .
Finally , visitors this year will be able to see the hydrogen-powered Le Mans Prototype Class 3 car , fuelled by sewage in a project entitled Waste2Race . The engineering team behind the project from the University of Warwick will be at the show to meet with visitors and explain the technology creating green hydrogen from wastewater , powering the groundbreaking vehicle . ●
CHEM UK k + 44 203 829 6060 J info @ chemicalukexpo . com j www . chemicalukexpo . com
MAR / APR 2025 SPECCHEMONLINE . COM
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