- 07/05/2026
- Article
- Insights
Discover, network, get started: POWTECH TECHNOPHARM for the next generation
Young companies, young visitors – the next generation is welcome at POWTECH TECHNOPHARM. There are numerous opportunities for students and young professionals – traditionally particularly on Thursday, Student Day. Start-ups can showcase themselves and their innovative offerings at a shared stand, whilst benefiting from substantial support.
Written by Dr. Ulla Reutner
For many of them, POWTECH TECHNOPHARM offers their first in-depth insight into the world of the process industry: students and young professionals strolling through the exhibition halls in small groups. As well as visiting certain exhibitors they are keen to see, they spontaneously take a closer look at some exhibits along the way and pepper the experts at the stands with questions.
The young visitors come from universities offering renowned degree programmes in process engineering, chemical or bioengineering, mechanical engineering or natural sciences.
Students are also drawn to POWTECH TECHNOPHARM from further afield. For example, from Albstadt-Sigmaringen University of Applied Sciences. The university’s Faculty of Life Sciences, which offers degree programmes including pharmaceutical engineering, regularly organises a bus trip to Nuremberg, supported by a travel allowance from NürnbergMesse.
“An important platform for keeping track of technological trends and innovations”
Dean of Studies Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karsten Köhler, who is accompanying the delegation, says: “POWTECH TECHNOPHARM offers an excellent opportunity to give our students practical insight into the world of production and process engineering. What makes this particularly valuable is that the exhibited plants and machinery can be viewed at close quarters. Whilst production facilities in companies are often only accessible to students to a limited extent, the trade fair offers the chance to experience modern technologies first-hand and engage directly with manufacturers and users.” The trade fair is also an important platform for teaching staff to keep track of technological trends and innovations in process and production engineering.
Students typically spend five to six hours at the exhibition. Here, they can link theoretical content from their studies to practical applications, learn about the latest developments and establish contacts within the industry. In between, there is time to witness a dust explosion live during a demonstration on explosion protection in the outdoor area.
Tips for career starters and special guided tours by the kjVIs
On Thursday, 1 October 2026 – the traditional Student Day at POWTECH TECHNOPHARM – there will be a very special event at the Expert Forum in Hall 7, Stand 7-489. It has been organised by the kjVIs, the creative young process engineers at the VDI-GVC, who have been collaborating with POWTECH TECHNOPHARM since 2025. Pauline Rust and Ida Tolksdorf from VAA e. V. will be giving two talks from 1 pm, offering tips for those starting their careers. What matters most in the application process? What salary expectations should you state? And what are the essential things to look out for before signing an employment contract? After the talks, the speakers will be available to answer individual questions.
Another highlight for school pupils and students are the guided tours, also organised by the kjVIs. You can register in advance on the POWTECH TECHNOPHARM website. From the VDI Knowledge Forum stand in Hall 7/7-716, participants will visit selected companies together to discuss technology, as well as opportunities for work placements and starting a career.
Paul Neugebauer, a PhD student at KIT – IAM-ET and co-chair of kjVI, says: “These tours offer school pupils and students a great opportunity to gain an overview of the professional field and to engage in dialogue with companies. This is helpful for career guidance and provides an insight into the wide range of activities one can undertake as a (process) engineer.” The range of activities is broader than students often realise whilst studying. Aishe Grotjohann, also a co-chair and PhD student in Fluid Process Engineering at RWTH Aachen University, was able to get a first-hand impression of POWTECH TECHNOPHARM last year: “It was very motivating to see the enthusiasm with which some stands and staff presented their work. Even though the topics didn’t always fit exactly with my own field, it gave me new motivation for engineering and increased my knowledge of and interest in related industries.”
Last year, the kjVIs also organised the ChemCar competition at the trade fair. This will be repeated in 2028 – a real highlight for the trade fair and the young engineers.
Plenty of support for start-ups
POWTECH TECHNOPHARM also offers start-ups and young companies the perfect opportunity to present themselves to an industry audience. A presence at the ‘Young Innovators’ joint stand can be achieved with minimal effort and maximum visibility. Young companies based in Germany can also benefit from funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy. Most important of all, however, are the valuable contacts made with visitors and exhibitors.
A warm welcome to the process engineering innovators of tomorrow
Whether you’re a start-up founder, a young professional or a student nearing graduation or still in the thick of your studies: you will all play a key role in shaping the world of process engineering of tomorrow. A visit to POWTECH TECHNOPHARM is not only valuable for them. For long-standing exhibitors and regular visitors in particular, the trade fair would be only half as interesting if ‘the next generation’ were missing. Young visitors can therefore rest assured that they are warmly welcome at the exhibition stands and at the various events in the supporting programme, and that they will take away plenty of inspiration.
Interested in this topic? Then come to POWTECH TECHNOPHARM and experience this and many other topics live at the trade fair. Secure your ticket here using the following code: PTTP26Insights
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