ACHEMA is the global meeting place for the process industry. It usually takes place every three years on the Frankfurt fairgrounds, but due to the Pandemic, ACHEMA 2021 was moved to April 2022.

A crisis always offers opportunities, so the organizers DECHEMA CEO, Dr. Thomas Scheuring, and Executive Board Member and ACHEMA Pulse Project Lead, Dr. Björn Mathes, decided to create “ACHEMA Pulse” as a brand new digital flagship event for the global ACHEMA community.

Over the course of two days, the digital event covered a broad variety of topics from automation to industrial security, from the pharma industry to the hydrogen economy on three separate stages.

I had the immense pleasure of being part of a group of four moderators who hosted the extensive program on the various stages. A big shout out to my always wonderful colleagues Helena Felixberger, Yasmine Blair, and Chris Brow, a true dream team.

Next to the program, filled to the brim with interviews, presentations and panel discussions, entrepreneurial scientists, future founders and owners of start-ups were called to apply for the ACHEMA Start-up Award – for the 1st time also on an international scale. From more than 30 applications, an expert jury selected 10 finalists who presented their ideas live on the virtual stage.

Despite the diverse landscape of the process industry, the main topics that dominated the discussions were sustainability, digital transformation, and the new normal. The spirit was high, with a lot of energy, optimism, and inspiration for the future and the next ACHEMA event in 2022.