The chemical industry is in transition, driven by recovery and challenged by costs and sustainability demands. This ongoing evolution defines the agenda of AUTOMA Chem 2026 where leaders meet to discuss the digital shift and the future of chemicals. The dialogue takes center stage in Berlin on 26-27 October.
In 2025, the global chemical industry is valued at $6.324 trillion, up 2.3% year-over-year. Despite its foundational role in manufacturing (96% of goods), the sector faces uneven growth, trade tensions and a strong move towards green chemistry.
On the other hand, the outlook for 2026 points toward a cooling period, with output growth expected to decelerate to the 1.5%-2.0% range. While India remains a major growth engine (+10.9%), China’s growth is cooling (1.3%-3.6%), and Europe faces stagnation due to high energy costs. These diverging regional trends place the chemical industry at a significant crossroads.
To solve essential industry questions and clear a path for new solutions, companies maintain a strategic overview and engage with fellow leaders. To that end, AUTOMA Chem 2026 connects stakeholders across the value chain, from chemical producers to EPCs, to continue the work of the AUTOMA series, discussing new innovations and navigating the digital landscape together.
Among key drivers and trends that could potentially reinvent the chemical sector is Industry 4.0 with AI and digitalisation as well as sustainability and green chemistry. Nearly 75% of chemical leaders are investing in AI for R&D, sales enablement and operational efficiency. AI-powered platforms are becoming “indispensable” for technical sales and supply chain optimisation.
For instance, Thomas Heinzerling (SVP Linde Advanced Operations Solutions at Linde plc) is going to share insights at the AUTOMA Chem opening panel on how AI-driven autonomous operations tackle cost pressure, resource scarcity and market volatility in process plants.
Gianluca Di Lecce, who leads the Subcontracting division at Technip Energies, is offering insights into leveraging automated emissions tracking and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) intelligence to improve the effectiveness of decarbonisation initiatives.
For companies evolving with the times, holding project-specific discussions through pre-arranged meetings is essential. AUTOMA series demonstrates, adopting innovative practices to transform an industry is achievable within a secure and established environment.
Reflecting on participating at the series event, Luigi Anselmi, Head of Construction at Tecnimont SpA, details his perspective: “AUTOMA has become a community rather than just a conference. And this is the positive thing. That means that there is something, there is a strong foundation, upon which people believe.”
For its debut, AUTOMA Chem stands as a meeting point for suсh industry leaders as Repsol materials S.A., BASF SE, Merck, SABIC, McDermott, Wood plc, Linde plc and others. Their shared goal is to apply digital strategies to the chemical industry’s sustainability and efficiency imperatives. In what ways does Industry 4.0 impact chemical processes? Take a look at the full business programme at https://sh.bgs.group/3wt and pinpoint the sessions that stand out as key highlights.