Chemspec Europe 2026 in Cologne Again
The leading trade fair for the specialty chemicals industry in Europe will create additional added value for exhibitors and visitors in 2026 with new offerings.
On May 6 and 7, the international fine and specialty chemicals community will meet at Chemspec Europe in Cologne - the leading sourcing hub for all industry sectors. Six months before the start of the trade fair, three quarters of the stand space has already been allocated. The high-caliber exhibitor field includes market leaders such as Evonik, WeylChem, CABB, Saltigo, Seqens, Johnson Matthey and Brenntag.
In 2025, Chemspec Europe also brought together over 420 suppliers and more than 4,000 trade visitors from 62 nations in Cologne. With over 5,000 digital contacts and more than 2,000 pre-arranged meetings, it is clear that the fine and specialty chemicals industry thrives on direct exchange - especially in difficult times.
"The industry needs to come together right now," explains Christiane Beck, Event Director of Chemspec Europe, on behalf of organizer RX. "Customs duties, energy costs, complex supply chains - the challenges are real. Chemspec Europe offers exactly what companies need: focused access to decision-makers, the latest market information and valuable partnerships for successful change. Whether manufacturers, R&D or policy makers - they all face the same questions, just from different perspectives. We bring them together. That's where real chemistry - and real progress - comes from."
Chemical solutions and innovations along the entire value chain will be on display: from custom solutions, additives, ingredients and APIs to contract and toll manufacturing, regulatory support and more. The application areas are wide-ranging, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, cosmetics, personal care, coatings, water treatment, electronics, batteries, renewable energies and other future markets.
More offerings and new impetus for maximum business success
Chemspec Europe 2026 aims to enable even more business success with new and expanded trade fair content. The new exhibitor zone, which already ensured the successful networking of first-time exhibitors with trade visitors in 2025, will be back. This provides newcomers with a dedicated platform to establish themselves on the market and make valuable business contacts. A new addition is the Second-Year Exhibitor Zone for returning exhibitors. With comprehensive trade fair support and increased marketing presence, it offers optimum impact for the budget.
The Chemspec Europe conference program was already a complete success in 2025 with over 50 sessions. For 2026, it will be even more focused: two exciting conference series will provide strategic orientation and technical innovation, precisely tailored to current industry needs.
The Strategy Stage is all about regulation, geopolitics and supply chains - the business and strategy topics that are currently occupying the industry the most. How are geopolitical developments, procurement bottlenecks and cost pressure affecting the industry? The Strategy Sessions provide answers and solutions for decision-makers from purchasing, regulation, sustainability and corporate strategy.
The second stream, the Molecule Hub, will focus on technical trends and new developments. Experts will present exciting innovations from a wide range of industries - with specific sessions for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and other key sectors. The program provides practical insights and best practices for R&D, production and product development professionals who want to keep their finger on the pulse of the industry.
The clear division of the conference program into two parts helps participants to quickly find the content that is relevant to them. The full program will be announced in good time before the trade fair.
Proven platform for quality contacts
Chemspec Europe reliably delivers direct access to the decision-makers who matter. In 2025, 73% of visitors came from management positions - purchasing and procurement managers, research and development managers and C-level executives who were specifically looking for customized chemical solutions, manufacturing partners and expertise. Coupled with targeted networking opportunities, this results in efficient and high-quality business contacts with real potential for closing deals.
Chemspec Europe also focuses on digital innovation and data analysis to offer exhibitors even more added value. Smart matchmaking tools and the visitor-driven lead capturing tool Colleqt QR have already proven their worth at previous trade fairs. Exhibitors can find qualified contacts more efficiently than ever before. These tools will be further optimized for 2026: Exhibitors can track leads in real time, measure engagement and clearly demonstrate their ROI.
