POWTECH TECHNOPHARM 2026 in Nuremberg brought together the international processing community from 29 September to 1 October. A total of 397 exhibitors from 29 countries showcased technologies and innovations for the processing and handling of powders, granulates, bulk solids and liquids, as well as for pharmaceutical production. In a challenging market environment, the international trade fair for process engineering provided a place for fruitful discussions and concrete solutions for a sustainable process industry. The focus was on topics such as pharmaceutical processing, Smart Industry, energy efficiency, recycling, security and the future of processing. With 45 percent of exhibitors and 40 percent of visitors coming from abroad, the trade fair once again demonstrated its broad international reach.
Around 6,000 trade visitors travelled to Nuremberg. Most came from Germany, but many others also came from Austria, Switzerland, Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Poland, Türkiye, Slovenia, France and Japan. They see POWTECH TECHNOPHARM as the ideal platform for finding inspiration for their own projects, discovering practical solutions, gaining an overview of the market and expanding their network. As a multi-sector trade fair, POWTECH TECHNOPHARM brings together various process industries, facilitating the transfer of knowledge across sector boundaries. Specifically, numerous discussions centred on the challenges of the future in terms of smart, flexible and efficient plants.
“The current economic climate is posing major challenges for many companies across various sectors. The passionate discussions that took place during the three days of the trade fair demonstrate to us just how great the need is – particularly at this time – for face-to-face interaction and a shared platform for the processing community,” said Stefanie Leege, Head of Brand Strategy at POWTECH TECHNOPHARM, in summary after the trade fair.
The exhibitors confirmed the high quality of the visitors and were pleased to have held in-depth discussions about specific projects. The proportion of visitors involved in investment and procurement decisions was, as usual, high at around 90 percent. A total of 96 percent of visitors were satisfied with their visit to the trade fair, and 93 percent are already planning to visit POWTECH TECHNOPHARM again in 2028.
International participation remains a key pillar
Summing up the event, Robert Hild, Managing Director of the VDMA Air Handling Technology Association, said: “This year’s POWTECH TECHNOPHARM has once again demonstrated that, even in challenging times there’s something Germany can rely on: the innovative strength of its industry and its clear focus on problem-solving, from climate protection and energy efficiency to clean and safe processes.” According to the VDMA, exports of air handling technology and process engineering machinery and apparatus showed an overall positive trend in the first half of 2026, albeit with significant differences between countries and regions. Whilst exports of process engineering to China rose sharply, the air handling technology sector saw significant growth, particularly from France and Switzerland.
POWTECH TECHNOPHARM 2026 also met the requirements for a high degree of international participation: 45 percent of exhibitors travelled to Nuremberg from 29 countries, whilst 40 percent of visitors came from 66 countries. “We see it as an important sign that companies from so many countries have come to Nuremberg and that the number of countries represented by exhibitors has actually increased. We want to further strengthen this important international and cross-sector exchange,” said Leege. Johannes Schmid-Wiedersheim, Managing Director of the VDMA Process Engineering Machinery and Apparatus Division, also said: “The latest figures show just how important international markets are for the process engineering sector. Germany needs better conditions for investment and faster approval procedures to ensure that innovative and resource-efficient technologies continue to be developed here in the future. Because of this, a broad international presence remains of key importance to companies.”
Knowledge and innovation for sustainable process engineering
The extensive supporting programme demonstrated the fact that POWTECH TECHNOPHARM is more than just a product exhibition. Here, there were numerous opportunities for professional discussion and networking. At the EXPERT FORUM, experts delivered 88 specialist presentations, providing insights into topics such as pharmaceutical processing, Smart Industry, energy efficiency and recycling, as well as ‘The Future of Processing’. The themed pavilions ‘Pharma in Focus’ and ‘Recycling in Focus’ brought together specialised solutions. The participating companies provided further inspiration for innovative solutions across the entire process chain, as well as more efficient, resource-efficient and safe production processes at the DSIV Process Solutions Pavilion and the VDMA special exhibition ‘Clean Air – Smart Processing’, as well as through VDMA guided tours on battery production. The daily live demonstrations on explosion protection provided a practical insight. In addition, the IND EX® Explosion Safety Forum provided a platform for international professional dialogue on safety, standards and the latest findings in the field of explosion protection.
A focus on networking and young talent
A key aspect of POWTECH TECHNOPHARM is the dialogue and networking within the processing community. International exchanges between associations plays an important role in this regard: Representatives from DSIV (Deutscher Schüttgut-Industrie Verband e. V.) in Germany, SHAPA (Solids Handling & Processing Association) in the UK, APPIE (Association of Powder Process Industry and Engineering) in Japan and Techsolids in Spain came together at the international meeting point for bulk solids associations to discuss business and cooperation opportunities in their respective markets. The WOMEN4PROCESSING networking meet-up once again brought together women from the processing industry. The event was first held at the trade fair in 2025 and was continued following its successful debut. With the ‘Young Innovators’ joint stand and the ‘Student Day’, POWTECH TECHNOPHARM also turned its attention to the next generation. Guided tours and career talks brought students and those starting out in their careers together with companies and experts in process engineering.
Next processing community meet-up: 2028
After three busy days at the trade fair, attention is already turning to the next edition. The next POWTECH TECHNOPHARM will take place from 26 to 28 September 2028 at the Nuremberg Exhibition Centre, once again in conjunction with PARTEC, the international congress on particle technology – alongside FACHPACK, the European trade fair for packaging, technology and processes. Registration for exhibitors is now open.
