Achema 2003: Positive Signals

ACHEMA 2003 was a complete success for exhibitors and visitors. All the sectors represented at the show said they were very satisfied. Exactly 3819 exhibitors from 48 countries congregated from 19th to 24th May at the Frankfurt Exhibition Center on a total display area of 138,345 square meters divided into twelve main groups to display their offerings of equipment, technological expertise, new developments and services for the process industries.
Altogether the exhibition-congress was used by 192,161 participants from more than 100 countries as an opportunity to forge new contacts and talk shop. Although the numbers of exhibitors and participants were down 7.9% and 8.4% respectively compared to ACHEMA 2000, Prof. Gerhard Kreysa, Chief Executive of DECHEMA, said that those who took part were very satisfied with the results, particularly in view of the difficult state of the world economy and international politics. Particularly high marks were awarded to the technical expertise of visitors. A foreign exhibitor quota of 41% was far higher than at previous shows (2000: 37.7%, 1997: 34.2%). The top five countries in terms of exhibitors – after Germany with 2269 – were Italy (245), the UK (205), Switzerland (174), the USA (150) and France (129). The number of foreign exhibitors was practically the same as in the year 2000 (-0.8%). The biggest growth in display space was recorded by the pharmaceutical, packaging and storage techniques group with an increase of 38%. Growth was also recorded by the pumps, compressors, valves and fittings group and thermal processes.