The event surpasses 400 exhibitors (+44%) and features 150 activities with 300 speakers underscoring the strategic role of chemistry
Expoquimia 2026 drives the green industrial transformation with expanded offering and innovation
From 2 to 5 June, Expoquimia will celebrate its 60th anniversary with one of its largest editions in recent years, exceeding 400 exhibitors—44% more than in 2023—and over 1,000 represented brands. In an industrial context shaped by competitive pressure, the energy transition, and rapid technological acceleration, Fira de Barcelona’s event will once again position chemistry as a key sector for the evolution of the entire production system. It will be held alongside Equiplast, the international meeting point for the plastics and rubber industries, at the Gran Via venue.
Chemistry plays a critical role in 98% of manufacturing processes and is a key enabler in strategic sectors such as energy, healthcare, mobility, and advanced materials.
For all of them, Expoquimia will showcase the market’s leading innovations across areas including basic chemicals and raw materials, machinery and capital goods, pumps and valves, laboratory equipment, engineering and automation, pharma process solutions, industrial safety, and environmental technologies. Leading companies such as Air Liquide, BASF, Bondalti, Bosch Iberia, Carburos Metálicos, Covestro, Marchesini, Messer, Moeve, Quimidroga, Scharlab, Sener and Telstar, among others, will take part.
Expoquimia’s president, Carles Navarro, highlights that “chemistry is the science of sciences and the industry of industries; its cross-cutting nature makes it an essential element in advancing towards a more sustainable and competitive production model.” In this regard, he adds that “Expoquimia provides the space where industry, science, and public administrations can share solutions and accelerate industrial transformation.”
Meanwhile, the event director, Xavier Pascual, notes that “the growth of this edition strengthens Expoquimia’s position as a benchmark platform for the industry, both for business generation and knowledge exchange.”
Industry Showcase: technology and sustainability
In addition to expanding its exhibition space and commercial offering, Expoquimia is enhancing its activities programme this year with 150 sessions and more than 300 experts who will analyse the key factors shaping the current transformation of both the chemical sector and industry as a whole.
One of the main highlights will be the Industry Showcase area, featuring sessions focused on real-world applications of chemical industry solutions across sectors, covering areas such as decarbonization, circular water management, advanced materials, and digitalisation, including the use of artificial intelligence.
Within this framework, leading companies and organisations will present ongoing projects and share practical experiences. Participating entities include Verdemobil Biogaz, the Tarragona Chemical Business Association (AEQT), Ercros, Moeve, the Catalan Energy Efficiency Cluster (CEEC), LC Paper, BASF, Schneider Electric, the Catalan Water Partnership (CWP), CELSA, the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB), Natura Bissé, Kern Pharma, L’Oréal, Stanpa and Aqua España, among others.
Green transition and competitiveness
Another major highlight will be the Smart Chemistry forum organised by the Spanish Chemical Industry Business Federation (FEIQUE), which will address industrial competitiveness and the role of chemistry as a key driver of the green transition through a programme of conferences, debates, and SmartTalks led by major companies and organisations.
The programme will feature success stories and real technological solutions presented by leading companies and organisations such as AEQT, Air Liquide, BASF, Bondalti, Carburos Metálicos, Covestro, Ercros, Moeve, Quimidroga and Repsol, among others.
At the same time, Expoquimia will host a new edition of the Mediterranean Congress of Chemical Engineering (MeCCE), bringing together over 300 professionals from industry, research, and academia. The congress will feature international experts in sustainability, digitalisation, and emerging technologies, including Cristina Alonso Alija (UNIJES IQS), Selina Ambrose (Promethean Particles), Benoit Celse (IFP Energies Nouvelles), Juan M. Lema (University of Santiago de Compostela), Andrea Ramírez Ramírez (Delft University of Technology) and Marina Micari (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne).
This year, the event will also launch the Innovation Hub, a dedicated space connecting technology centres, universities, startups, and companies working on disruptive projects related to decarbonization, digitalisation, energy efficiency, and the circular economy. It will be complemented by the Innovation Day presentation programme, structured into three thematic blocks—energy transition and sustainability, research and advanced technologies, and innovation and talent—with the participation of organisations and companies such as ACCIO, ICAEN, Viver CleanTech, CAPEC, ICIQ, IQS, Nanomol Technologies, Eurecat, Associació Tecnio, FUNDAE and Mafer.
Expoquimia will also host Engineers Day, organised in collaboration with the Catalan Association of Industrial Engineers, focusing on the role of engineering in industrial decarbonization. On the international front, the event will dedicate two sessions to exploring business opportunities and technology transfer in Egypt and Japan. Additionally, it will host more than 40 side events organised by companies and sector associations such as the Official Association of Chemists of Catalonia (COQC), pharmaceutical consultancy ManageArt, Bequinor, and the Beauty Cluster, among others.
Gala Dinner: 60 years and best-in-class
This year, Expoquimia will celebrate six decades and 21 editions at its traditional Gala Dinner, to be held on 3 June at the Oval Hall of the National Art Museum of Catalonia (MNAC), bringing together more than 700 executives and institutional and industry representatives. The event will feature Katja Scharpwinkel, member of the BASF SE Executive Board and former vice-president of the European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), as keynote speaker.
On this occasion, Expoquimia and Equiplast will present the Best-in-Class awards, recognising Moeve, L’Oréal Groupe, Lefance and Almirall in the field of chemistry, and SEAT & CUPRA in plastics.
In addition, Expoquimia will pay tribute to companies, organisations, and professionals who have made a decisive contribution to the development of the chemical industry in Spain and to the evolution of the event over its 60-year history.
Joint celebration with Equiplast
Expoquimia 2026 will take place from 2 to 5 June in Hall 2 at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, once again alongside Equiplast in Hall 3. This dual event offers a cross-sector view of innovation across the entire industrial value chain. Together, both exhibitions will bring together 800 exhibitors and are expected to attract 21,000 professionals, strengthening synergies between the chemical and plastics sectors in areas such as advanced materials, sustainability, circular economy, and digitalisation.
Barcelona, May 2026
Maria Dolores Herranz / Josep Lluís Mérida
Tel. +34 93 233 25 41 – 2114
[email protected]
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PRESS ACCREDITATION here
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PHOTOGRAPHS (2023 edition) here
ACTIVITIES PROGRAMME here
EXHIBITOR LIST here