Manufacturing

The exhibition will cover six core product groups spanning the full lifecycle of process industries. (Image source: ACHEMA)

Saudi Arabia’s expanding industrial and energy transition ambitions are set to gain a new international platform with the launch of ACHEMA Middle East, scheduled to take place from 26-28 October 2026 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center.

The inaugural regional edition of the long-established ACHEMA exhibition comes as the Kingdom accelerates large-scale projects aimed at decarbonisation and advanced manufacturing. These include a major carbon capture hub in Jubail, designed to capture up to nine million tonnes of CO₂ annually by 2028, and the US$8.4bn NEOM Green Hydrogen Project, which targets the production of 600 tonnes per day of clean hydrogen by 2027.

Held under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and supported by ASAS, the event is organised by Messe Frankfurt and powered by DECHEMA. The exhibition extends ACHEMA’s century-long legacy in chemical engineering and process industries into the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region.

For more than 100 years, ACHEMA has served as a global meeting point for the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and laboratory sectors. Its debut in Riyadh is intended to connect international technology providers with regional manufacturers, policymakers and researchers at a time when Saudi Arabia is pursuing industrial diversification under Vision 2030.

Exhibition main themes

The exhibition will cover six core product groups spanning the full lifecycle of process industries, including industrial engineering, laboratory and analytical solutions, automation and digital systems, packaging and supply chain technologies, and research and development. Organisers say the integrated scope reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of modern industrial operations.

Conference programming will centre on six innovation themes: process, pharma, lab, digital, green and energy innovation. CPD-accredited sessions and expert-led discussions will address topics such as electrification, bioprocessing, artificial intelligence-enabled operations and circular economy models.

Dr Björn Mathes, chief executive of DECHEMA Exhibitions, described the Riyadh edition as a strategic evolution. “By bringing ACHEMA to Riyadh, we are creating a platform where science, engineering and industrial innovation align with the ambitions of one of the world’s most dynamic industrial economies,” he said.

Azzan Mohammed, managing director of Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia, said the event would foster knowledge exchange and support the development of sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystems.

Early confirmed exhibitors include Yokogawa, GMM Pfaudler, Hach, Beckhoff, Aptek, Pharmadule Morimatsu, Tofflon and Sealmatic, signalling strong international interest ahead of the show’s first edition.

Ducab, a leading UAE-based manufacturer of high-quality cables and energy solutions, has achieved a major technical milestone with the Middle East’s first Extended Pre-qualification (EPQ) test for an Extra-High Voltage (EHV) 400kV cable system at 105°C emergency temperature.

The achievement, completed in collaboration with Swiss specialist Brugg Cables, reinforces Ducab’s reputation for technical excellence and positions the company for global expansion.

The EPQ and system type test represents a regional first and demonstrates Ducab’s ability to meet the most stringent international standards, including IEEE, IEC, and AEIC. The testing was conducted in partnership with Brugg Cables, a recognised leader in high-voltage accessories; TAQA, Abu Dhabi’s government-controlled energy holding company; and DEKRA, the world’s largest independent testing, inspection and certification organisation.

“This successful Brugg test cements Ducab’s reputation for technical leadership and innovation, opening new opportunities in Europe,” said Charles Edouard Mellagui, CEO of Ducab Cables Business. “We are delighted to accelerate our efforts to take our quality HV cables from the UAE to the world.”

The collaboration offers strategic advantages for Ducab, which is now the only supplier on TAQA’s vendor list with two approved accessory suppliers – SEI and Brugg Cables. The EPQ milestone enhances Ducab’s competitiveness for EHV cable system projects across the region and internationally, enabling faster, more effective service for TAQA, regional utilities, and new clients in Europe and the US.

Gianluca Vettese, CEO of Brugg Cables, said: “We are proud to support Ducab in achieving this significant EPQ test, highlighting the strength of our technical collaboration and our shared commitment to delivering world-class high-voltage cable systems that meet the highest international standards.”

Brugg Cables’ specialised testing services for HV and EHV cables, up to 550kV, incorporate a large Faraday cage and on-site diagnostics to ensure insulation integrity and performance. Key elements of the testing process include AC voltage tests, partial discharge measurements for joints, and sheath testing, all designed to ensure reliable, long-term operation of high-voltage cable systems.

With this milestone, Ducab strengthens its technical leadership in the Middle East and sets the stage for international growth, offering utilities and industrial clients high-quality, globally certified EHV cable solutions.

Ras Al Khaimah has taken a major step to simplify industrial approvals with a new partnership between Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ) and the Environment Protection and Development Authority (EPDA). The two entities signed an MoU to establish a structured framework for environmental verification and approval in priority sectors, including cement, chemical, and general industries.

The MoU, signed by RAKEZ group CEO Ramy Jallad and EPDA acting director general H.E. Dr Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi, aims to speed up licensing procedures while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The framework has been developed in coordination with RAKEZ’s Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Department to align regulatory oversight with operational processes.

Under the new system, industrial companies can expect a faster, more predictable approval process, with clear guidance on expansion or modification requests from the outset. Officials said the initiative would enhance transparency for investors and provide a smoother pathway for project development while safeguarding Ras Al Khaimah’s environment.

“The collaboration reflects our commitment to balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility,” said Ramy Jallad. “By aligning processes with EPDA, we are creating a more efficient framework that benefits investors while upholding the highest environmental standards.”

H.E. Dr Abdulrahman Al Shayeb Al Naqbi added that the MoU represents a significant step in integrating world-class environmental practices with industrial development. “By establishing clear, time-bound approval frameworks, we are helping investors in the cement, chemical, and industrial sectors while protecting the emirate’s environment,” he said. “This approach ensures that faster business setup and expansion occur with strict compliance and technical oversight, fostering a sustainable and competitive industrial ecosystem.”

The agreement also includes joint initiatives for knowledge sharing, technical alignment, and training between EPDA and RAKEZ’s HSE teams, aimed at improving environmental governance across the emirate’s industrial base.

RAKEZ, home to nearly 40,000 companies, continues to strengthen its ecosystem through partnerships that enhance operational efficiency, regulatory clarity, and long-term sustainability. Industry observers say the new framework could significantly reduce delays in project approvals and reinforce Ras Al Khaimah’s reputation as an investor-friendly hub for sustainable industrial development.

Emerson has been awarded the 2026 Saudi Aramco Local Manufacturers Quality Award, recognising its performance in manufacturing excellence and long-term alignment with Saudi Arabia’s national industrial strategy.

The award was presented during an official ceremony on 29 January 2026 at the Dhahran Plaza Conference Center. The event was hosted by Saudi Aramco and led by its Technical Services executive vice president, Wail A. Al Jaafari, who honoured companies demonstrating high standards in local manufacturing and product quality.

The accolade followed a formal assessment process conducted in coordination with Saudi Aramco’s technical teams. Emerson’s Control and Safety Systems (CSS) division spearheaded the company’s participation in the evaluation and represented the group at the ceremony in Dhahran.

Hussein Zein, vice president of Emerson in Saudi Arabia, said the recognition reflected a long-standing partnership built on trust and technical discipline. He added that Emerson’s emphasis on governance, leadership accountability and in-Kingdom manufacturing supports the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 economic diversification programme.

The Saudi Aramco Local Manufacturers Quality Award is presented to organisations that achieve high performance across technical, operational and quality benchmarks, in line with the In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) programme. IKTVA is designed to increase local content, strengthen domestic supply chains and foster sustainable industrial growth within the Kingdom.

Emerson has expanded its footprint in Saudi Arabia steadily over the past 16 years. Key milestones include the opening of facilities in Jubail, Dammam and Dhahran, as well as the launch of a major manufacturing hub at King Salman Energy Park (SPARK) in 2024. The SPARK development has been positioned as a cornerstone of Saudi Arabia’s strategy to localise energy sector manufacturing and services.

The company’s growing presence in the Kingdom aligns with national efforts to enhance industrial capabilities, reduce reliance on imports and generate skilled employment opportunities for Saudi nationals. By increasing local production of automation and control systems, Emerson is contributing to the resilience and competitiveness of the country’s energy and industrial sectors.

Industry observers note that such awards play a role in encouraging international suppliers to deepen their in-country commitments, particularly as Saudi Arabia accelerates reforms aimed at strengthening its non-oil economy.

For Emerson, the recognition underscores its strategy of combining global technical expertise with local manufacturing capacity, reinforcing its position as a long-term partner to Saudi Arabia’s energy and industrial transformation.