POWTECH TECHNOPHARM 2026: The International Process Industry Focuses on Collaboration and Sustainability

Approximately 6,000 trade visitors traveled to Nuremberg, primarily from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Poland, Turkey, Slovenia, France, and Japan. They value POWTECH TECHNOPHARM as the ideal platform for gaining inspiration for their own projects, finding concrete solutions, gaining an overview of the market, and expanding their networks. As a multi-industry trade show, POWTECH TECHNOPHARM brings together various process industries, thereby facilitating the transfer of knowledge across industry boundaries. Specifically, numerous discussions focused on the challenges of the future in terms of intelligent, flexible, and efficient plants.

“The current economic conditions are posing major challenges for many companies across various industries. The passionate discussions during the three days of the trade show demonstrate just how great the need is—especially now—for in-person interaction and a shared platform for the processing community,” summarized Stefanie Leege, Head of Brand Strategy at POWTECH TECHNOPHARM, following the event.

Exhibitors confirmed the high caliber of visitors and were pleased with the in-depth discussions regarding specific projects. The percentage of visitors involved in investment and procurement decisions remained consistently high at around 90 percent.  96 percent of visitors were satisfied with their visit to the trade show, and 93 percent are already planning to attend POWTECH TECHNOPHARM again in 2028.

International reach remains a key pillar

Robert Hild, Managing Director of the VDMA General Air Technology Association, sums it up: “This year, POWTECH TECHNOPHARM once again demonstrated what Germany can rely on even in challenging times: the innovative strength of its industry and its clear focus on problem-solving, ranging from climate protection and energy efficiency to clean and safe processes.”  According to the VDMA, exports of general ventilation technology as well as process engineering machinery and equipment showed an overall positive trend in the first half of 2026, though with significant differences between countries and regions. While exports of process engineering to China saw strong growth, key growth drivers in general air technology came particularly from France and Switzerland.

POWTECH TECHNOPHARM once again met the demand for broad international representation in 2026: 45 percent of exhibitors traveled to Nuremberg from 29 countries, and 40 percent of visitors came from 66 countries. “We see it as an important sign that companies from so many countries came to Nuremberg and that the number of countries represented by exhibitors has even increased.  We want to further strengthen this important international and cross-industry exchange,” said Leege. Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim, Managing Director of VDMA Process Engineering Machinery and Equipment, also emphasized: “The current figures show how important international markets are for process engineering. Germany needs better investment conditions and faster approval processes so that innovative and resource-efficient technologies can continue to be developed here in the future. A broad international presence therefore remains of central importance for companies.”

Knowledge and Innovation for Sustainable Process Engineering

The extensive supporting program, which offered numerous opportunities for professional exchange and networking, demonstrated that POWTECH TECHNOPHARM is more than just a product showcase. At the EXPERT FORUM, experts delivered 88 technical presentations on topics such as pharmaceutical processing, smart industry, energy efficiency, recycling, and “The Future of Processing.” The themed pavilions “Pharma-in-Focus” and “Recycling-in-Focus” showcased specialized solutions. Further insights into innovative solutions along the entire process chain, as well as more efficient, resource-conserving, and safe production processes, were provided by participating companies at the DSIV Process Solutions Pavilion, the VDMA special exhibition “Clean Air – Smart Processing” and during the VDMA Guided Tours on battery production. The daily live demonstrations on explosion protection offered a hands-on perspective. In addition, the IND EX® Explosion Safety Forum provided a platform for international professional exchange on safety, standards, and new insights in explosion protection.

Focus on Networking and the Next Generation

A central aspect of POWTECH TECHNOPHARM is dialogue and networking within the processing community. International exchange between associations plays an important role here: Representatives from DSIV (German Bulk Materials Industry Association) from Germany, SHAPA (Solids Handling & Processing Association) from the United Kingdom, APPIE (Association of Powder Process Industry and Engineering) from Japan, and Techsolids from Spain came together for the international meeting of bulk solids associations and discussed business and collaboration opportunities in their respective markets. The WOMEN4PROCESSING networking event once again brought together women from the processing industry. The event was first held at the trade show in 2025 and has continued following its successful debut.  With the Young Innovators joint booth and Student Day, POWTECH TECHNOPHARM also turned its attention to the next generation. Guided tours and career presentations brought students and young professionals together with companies and experts in process engineering.

Next gathering of the processing community: 2028

After three intensive days at the trade show, attention is already turning to the next edition. The next POWTECH TECHNOPHARM will take place from September 26 to 28, 2028, once again in conjunction with the International Congress on Particle Technology, PARTEC, at the Nuremberg Exhibition Center—alongside FACHPACK, the European trade fair for packaging, technology, and processes. Registration for exhibitors is already open.