Industrial Innovation Takes Root in Saudi Arabia

Achema

As Saudi Arabia accelerates its major industrial projects and energy transition, the process industries landscape in the Middle East is undergoing a profound transformation. Between carbon capture, green hydrogen, and the modernization of production chains, the region is entering a new phase defined by decarbonization, systems integration, and technological innovation.

Among the flagship projects is the carbon capture hub in Jubail, which aims to capture up to nine million tons of CO₂ per year by 2028. Another landmark initiative is the Neom Green Hydrogen Company project, backed by an investment of $8.4 billion, with a target of producing 600 tons of clean hydrogen per day starting in 2027 within Neom. These projects illustrate the Kingdom’s ambition to position itself as a key player in the low-carbon energy industry.

It is in this context that Achema Middle East will make its regional debut from October 26 to 28, 2026, at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center in Riyadh. Held under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, the event is also supported by Asas.

The exhibition aligns with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to diversify the Kingdom’s economy and strengthen its domestic industrial capabilities. The goal is to support technology localization, the development of advanced manufacturing, digitalization, and sustainable investment across key sectors such as chemicals, energy, pharmaceuticals, food processing, water, and advanced materials.

The show will cover the entire value chain of the process industries through six major segments: industrial engineering, process technologies, laboratory and analytical solutions, automation and digital systems, packaging and logistics, as well as research and innovation. This integrated approach reflects the need for cross-disciplinary solutions in increasingly complex industrial systems.

The program will also feature accredited conferences, technical sessions, and roundtables addressing key topics such as process electrification, bioprocessing, artificial intelligence applied to industry, and circular economy models.

Dr. Björn Mathes, CEO of Achema Exhibitions, emphasizes: "Achema Middle East is not simply a regional extension; it is a strategic evolution. By hosting it in Riyadh, we are creating a platform where science, engineering, and industrial innovation connect with the ambitions of one of the world’s most dynamic economies."

For his part, Azzan Mohammed, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia, believes the event reflects "the importance of international collaboration and knowledge sharing in supporting the Kingdom’s industrial transformation."

With its positioning focused on technical depth and systems integration, Achema Middle East 2026 aims to become a defining platform for the process industries in a region undergoing rapid industrial transformation.

Caroline Haïat