Looking forward to ChemUK

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EVENT PREVIEW • THE CHEMUK EXPO RETURNS TO BIRMINGHAM NEXT MONTH WITH UPWARDS OF 300 EXHIBITORS AND MORE THAN 100 SPEAKERS, ALL OF INTEREST TO THE CHEMICALS SECTOR

AFTER TWO YEARS of Covid-related lockdowns and disruption, industry is eager to get back to meeting in person and one of the first opportunities in the UK will be the ChemUK 2022 Expo, which returns to the NEC in Birmingham on 11 and 12 May. The event combines two shows, the Chemical, Process & Plant Engineering Show and, for HCB readers in particular, the Chemical Industries Supply Chain Show.

“ChemUK is deliberately set out to be a total industry meeting point, creating a fusion of cross-sector energies, inputs and connectivity,” says show organiser Ian Stone. “However, we also recognise the contrasting needs of attendees on themes such as supply chain, chemicals and ingredients, logistics and outsourcing, HSE, regulatory compliance, R&D management and more.

“Separating into two complementary yet contrasting exhibition shows can only help us get attendees locked into discussions with their primary target quicker, as well as providing an easy ‘under one giant roof’ experience to take in the broader trends of the sector,” Stone adds.

The Chemical Industries Supply Chain Show will showcase specialist exhibitors to attendees in the product development, R&D, supply chain, operational and logistics functions within the chemicals sector and users of those chemicals. It will cover not just logistics, transport and regulatory compliance, but also toll manufacturing, laboratory analysis and testing, specialist labelling, training and recruitment, and business and operational support.

Those already booked to exhibit at this event include BTC Europe, Brenntag, Surfachem, Robinson Brothers, Kimia UK, Airedale Group, Briar Chemicals, Libra Specialty Chemicals, Air Sea Containers, TAS Risk & Hazard Management, Rutpen, the National Chemical Emergency Centre (NCEC) and many others. The organisers have also partnered with relevant industry bodies, including the Chemical Business Association (CBA), the Royal Society of Chemistry and the Association for Contract Manufacturing, Packing, Fulfilment and Logistics (BCMPA).

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO SEE? The Chemical, Process & Plant Engineering Show will showcase the latest technology and specialist services to UK plant, process, control and engineering professionals across the chemical and wider process industries. It will look at a wide range of equipment and engineering technologies, along with digitisation and automation, process design, predictive maintenance, plant safety and much more. Some familiar names will be exhibiting, including Elaflex, Atlas Copco, Endress+Hauser, Carbis Filtration and many others.

In addition to the two main events, the organisers have arranged some more focused strands to the two days. A feature of the ChemUK 4.0 stage will be ‘The Digital Opportunity’, reflecting the tectonic shift towards digitised operations, which will have a dedicated speaker programme on process automation and robotics, big data management, AI, the Internet of Things, virtual reality, digital-driven sustainability and strategies for the adoption of digital techniques.

New for this year’s event is the Sustainability Stage, hosting panel sessions and feature presentations embracing critical themes such as chemical recycling, sustainable chemical processing, ‘green chemistry’ innovation and transition to bio-based products. Also new for 2022 will be the ‘Bio-Based Chemicals & Processing Innovation Zone’, showcasing breaking innovation start-ups, university spinouts etc, with exciting concepts.

On top of all that, ChemUK 2022 will also showcase a specialist Chemlab programme with exhibitors providing laboratory solutions and services.

HCB will be on hand to bring back news from the show halls and conference sessions but there will be so much to see that it is very much worthwhile attending in person. All those interested can register for a free entry badge – and learn more about the event – at www.chemicalukexpo.com.