In short
ACHEMA serves process engineers from chemicals, pharma and biotech, and they judge a stand on technical depth. Show the equipment cut open, explain the process step it belongs to, and keep specialists and calculation tools at hand for detailed questions. Start a custom stand about 12–15 months ahead and confirm dates, height limits and rules in the exhibitor manual.
Key points
- Where and when: Frankfurt, every three years in Frankfurt; the organiser lists the next edition as 14–18 June 2027.
- The audience is mostly process and plant engineers.
- Cutaway equipment that shows the inside.
- Clear positioning in a process flow.
- Plan a custom stand about 12–15 months before the show.
ACHEMA for exhibitors
ACHEMA covers pumps, valves, lab equipment, pharma processing and digital plant tools. Its visitors come to specify equipment for real projects, so conversations tend to be long and technical, and a three-year cycle encourages launches.
| ACHEMA | |
|---|---|
| City | Frankfurt |
| Venue | Messe Frankfurt |
| Sector | Chemical and pharma process engineering |
| Cycle | Every three years in Frankfurt; the organiser lists the next edition as 14–18 June 2027 |
| Main stand activity | Working machinery |
| Custom stand lead time | 12–15 months |
Who you are designing for
Process and plant engineers, lab managers, procurement staff and R&D teams from chemical, pharmaceutical, food and energy companies.
What matters most on an ACHEMA stand:
- Cutaway equipment that shows the inside.
- Clear positioning in a process flow.
- Specialists with sizing tools on the stand.
- Tables for detailed specification talks.
Layouts for working machinery, by stand type
Most ACHEMA exhibitors build around working machinery. How that works depends on how many sides of your plot are open. If you are unsure which type you have, see exhibition stand types.
| Stand type | Open sides | What works |
|---|---|---|
| Row (inline) | 1 | One machine side-on to the aisle so its working side is visible, with a screen showing it in use. |
| Island | 4 | A hero machine centred with at least 1.5 m of walk-around space, demo times on a screen and meetings to one side or upstairs. |
Stand ideas for ACHEMA
- A cutaway pump or valve with lit internal flow paths.
- A process diagram that lights up when a visitor selects a step.
- A lab bench running a real, safe demonstration.
Planning, approvals and logistics
Heavy equipment needs a delivery plan, and running liquids or gases needs approval. Check the rules on chemicals early, and use safe substitutes in demos.
Allow about 12–15 months for a custom stand. The exhibitor manual sets height limits, open-side rules and service deadlines; see venue approval and technical drawings.
Where the budget goes at ACHEMA
Cutaways are expensive to make, but they last for years and travel to other shows. Treat one as an asset rather than as a single-show cost.
Mistakes we see at ACHEMA
- Brochures in place of a real cutaway.
- Assuming a working fluid demo will be approved without paperwork.
An example ACHEMA brief
A 10 × 8 m stand with a lit cutaway pump as hero, a process-flow wall, two sizing workstations and a closed meeting room. No live fluids unless approved.
Replace the size and the zones with your own. The plot and height limit come from your contract and the exhibitor manual.
Try your ACHEMA layout in 3D
ExhibitionBase Studio turns your plot size, open sides and a brief about working machinery into an editable 3D stand for 5 credits, renders it and exports a plan for your builder. New workspaces get 5 free credits.
Frequently asked questions
01When is the next ACHEMA?
The organiser lists 14 to 18 June 2027 in Frankfurt. Confirm on the official site before you plan around it.
02Can I run liquids on an ACHEMA stand?
Possibly, with approval and containment. Check the technical regulations, and use water or safe substitutes where you can.
03How early should I start designing an ACHEMA stand?
For a custom stand, about 12–15 months ahead: long enough for design, organiser approval, production and shipping. Shell scheme stands can be planned in weeks.
04Can I reuse my ACHEMA stand at other shows?
Often, if it is modular. Design the core (walls, counters, working machinery area) to work on several plot sizes, and swap graphics per show. See [modular vs custom stands](/guides/modular-vs-custom-exhibition-stands).
Put it into practice
From a client brief to a 3D stand concept in minutes
An editable 3D exhibition stand concept from a written brief and the brand's website, at your exact size.
Guidance here reflects common practice. Venues, organisers and countries set their own rules: always check the exhibitor manual and work with a qualified stand builder and engineer for structures.
