In the global marketplace, innovation and continuous development are essential for companies in the process industry. In particular, at the technological interface a great deal is being done, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain an overview of the marketable innovations. Starting in 2015, Dechema (the Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology based in Frankfurt, Germany) will offer a new event format with the "Praxisforums" (German for practice forums), aimed at supporting the networking of specialists who engage themselves with similar issues both across all industries and along the value chain. They are designed to differ considerably from the already established academic congresses, conferences and colloquia. CHEManager International asked Dr. Björn Mathes, head of Dechema Praxisforums, about the format.

What is the idea behind the new event format Praxisforums, and how do they differ from other academic congresses?

B. Mathes: The Praxisforums clearly appeal to industry representatives who are looking for concrete solutions, the latest trends and knowledge. The emphasis is on clear, focused information brokerage and discussion within the scope of expert presentations, best practice examples, an exposition and interactive discussion formats. Users from industrial production and suppliers of products, services and technology are able to communicate directly with each other. Purely academic congresses are more often concerned with questions that lie ahead of the specific application.

What topics will the first Praxisforum deal with?

B. Mathes: The first Praxisforum takes place from the 4^th to 5^th February 2015, with the topic "Enzymes for Industrial Applications." The topic plays an important role in many different groups within our broad network, e.g., in industrial biotechnology or the food sector. Further topics in the near future will be additive manufacturing/3-D printing in the field of apparatus and plant engineering, fire protection or database systems for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Which groups are targets for the Praxisforums, and what added value or advantages are offered to participants?

B. Mathes: The Praxisforums appeal to representatives from industry and small and medium-sized enterprises who are looking for innovation for highly specific requirements of everyday practice. In the Praxisforums participants have the opportunity to exchange and network with colleagues from other companies and branches, with potential cooperation partners, and get to know the latest trends, innovations and practices. At the same time participants can present their needs and future requirements in direct exchange with suppliers of technology, services and products. As well as a forum for the networking of specialists who deal with similar issues both across all industries and along the value chain, the Praxisforums create a B2B platform on which leads can be generated efficiently.

How will the events be organized? What will the procedure be?

B. Mathes: As well as expert presentations, there will be best practice examples and tandem presentations that demonstrate the latest trends and future challenges, but also lessons learned from the past. However, the presentations are only a part of the new format. The exhibition and interactive discussion forums are integral components of the concept and not only "padding" in the coffee breaks.

The topic for the first Praxisforum in early February 2015 is "Enzymes for Industrial Applications," which rates among the core competencies of the Dechema. What is it concerned with?

B. Mathes: Enzymes have huge industrial relevance and ensure enormous added value. However, their potential is far from being completely exhausted. Enzyme technology is a platform technology that has the potential to make many processes more sustainable and more cost efficient. One can already describe them as small miracle substances. In the Praxisforum this potential will be outlined by way of expert presentations, discussion panels and the exposition. The addressed application sectors range from foodstuffs, nutritional supplements and animal feedstuffs to the pharmaceutical branch, textiles, leather, detergents, biorefineries, fine and special chemicals, as well as paper through to cosmetics. As well as new enzymes and practical examples for successful enzyme applications, the Praxisforum will also be concerned with the possibilities of enzyme utilization in other branches. Also, the production and design of enzymes as well as practices for the reduction of time-to-market are also in the focus.

With the Dechema community, you have a unique expert group for numerous topics in the area of chemical and biotechnical processes at your disposal. Which subject areas do you envisage for future Praxisforums?

B. Mathes: With more than 5,000 honorary delegates who are engaged in our panels as well as the numerous events and R&D projects that are conducted and overseen at the Dechema, we always have our finger on the pulse of our technical community. As a result, new thematic areas continually arise for which the Praxisforums are suitable meeting points for networking, presentations and information. For example, sensor technology or process analysis as well as automated formulation and continuous production in the pharmaceuticals branch are areas of great interest. However, communications topics such as crisis management or social media and efficient innovation management could also be picked up in the future. This is only a short list of possible topics for our new event format.

Where do you see the hot topics being?

B. Mathes: In particular, topics such as Industry 4.0 and complete automation will fundamentally change production plants, which we have known for some time. In the fine chemicals industry, this will happen earlier than in the commodities industry. However, the already mentioned 3-D printing has the potential to fundamentally change a few value chains. The shale gas boom and the associated investment decisions for large plants as well as the bioeconomy will also be further drivers of the industry. A recent topic for discussion is the use of excess electrical power in chemical processes. Some more developments in this area lie ahead.

In addition, the topic of water management, also in Germany with its ever-present water, will increasingly become an important focal point. Zero liquid discharge and low-emission production are topics which businesses in today's global competition have to become involved with. The worldwide process industry can profit greatly from German solutions. Finally, industrial water management is also one of the focal topics for the upcoming Achema.

Will you also take advantage of the Achema, the world forum and leading trade show for the process industries, for the implementation of the Praxisforums?

B. Mathes: Next year, the Achema will again be a trendsetter for the process industry as well as the bio- and environmental technologies. It is the communications platform for direct contact to suppliers and customers from our branch. Naturally, the momentum which originates from the Achema 2015 is also of great interest for future activities in the scope of the Dechema Praxisforums.

For the first time, the format of the Praxisforums will find its way into the Achema Congress. Here, market- and practice-relevant presentations in the vicinity of the respective exhibition groups will be presented. After the presentation, the audience can further discuss the topic personally at the exhibitor's stand, view the exhibits and discuss possibilities for prospective solutions. Through their presentations, this new format will make it easier for exhibitors to generate new leads.