Chemspec Europe returned to Cologne on 6–7 May 2026 with clear momentum, pulling in 4,238 attendees from 60 nations and 454 exhibitors from 28 countries—an uptick on last year that underlined the show’s growing pull across the specialty chemistry world.
Across the exhibition floor, the event’s defining theme was range and reach. “Chemspec stands out for the variety and diversity of companies, there really is something for everyone,” said Nicolas Sary, Sr Manager Responsible Chemistry at Henkel AG & Co KGaA.
Visitors reflected that breadth, spanning pharmaceuticals, agriculture, paints & coatings, oil & gas, and personal care & cosmetics.
The show also reinforced its role as a global meeting point, with strong attendance from Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, the UK, Switzerland, and Italy, alongside notable participation from India, China, and the USA—turning Cologne into a temporary hub for cross-border dealmaking and technical exchange.
“Chemspec Europe provides a great opportunity to connect with players from across different industries, all in one place.” said Jörg Ludwig Schulte, Managing Director at WeylChem. “I've even been able to make introductions between companies that I know will be mutually beneficial."
On stage, the tone sharpened. Speakers returned repeatedly to a sector under strain—caught between regulatory complexity, economic pressure, and global competition—and the need for tighter collaboration across Europe’s chemical value chain.
Sessions on the Strategy Stage pushed scenario planning as a survival tool in an era of volatility, arguing that disruption should be treated as input for learning rather than paralysis. The message was clear: collaboration is increasingly more valuable than competition.
“FECC is where that really happens, bringing stakeholders together to build the partnerships we need to stay resilient, navigate uncertainty, and future-proof our industry,” said Dorothee Arns, Director General at FECC.
Strategy Stage speaker Peter Deglmann, Team Leader Quantum Chemistry at BASF, echoed the sentiment: "What stands out about Chemspec is the diversity of attendees and the broad focus of the event, which brings together a wide range of perspectives from across the industry."
Beyond strategy, technical sessions dug into the industry’s most pressing challenges—from PFAS and tightening “forever chemicals” regulation to biological crop protection and speciality formulation—reflecting a sector adapting in real time to an increasingly complex compliance landscape.
“It has been a pleasure seeing everyone come together this year to tackle the industry’s challenges, form partnerships, and discuss how to emerge stronger," said Christiane Beck, Event Director for Chemspec Europe. "Next year marks our 40th anniversary, and I'm very much looking forward to celebrating that milestone in Basel.”
The next edition of Chemspec Europe will take place 24–25 May 2027 in Basel, marking four decades of the industry gathering.
