Smart Chemistry returns to Expoquimia 2026 with a focus on competitiveness and the green transition

The Smart Chemistry forum, promoted by FEIQUE, will hold its fifth edition from 2 to 5 June 2026 at Fira Barcelona’s Gran Via venue, as part of Expoquimia. This initiative will spotlight the role of chemistry as a key driver of industrial transformation, with a comprehensive programme of conferences, debates and SmartTalks featuring leading companies and organisations. The focus will be on strengthening industrial competitiveness and accelerating the green transition.

Smart Chemistry has established itself as the leading forum in Spain where the chemical industry reaffirms its strategic role as a catalyst for industrial transformation. Under the banner Green Industry Deal, the 2026 edition will highlight the need for a strong, resilient and innovative chemical sector capable of driving technological development at a pivotal moment for Europe. Competitiveness, a central pillar of the European Commission’s Clean Industrial Deal, places chemistry in a decisive position to help Europe achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

Smart Chemistry 2026 will bring together top-tier companies and key organisations from across the sector, showcasing real-world technological solutions and success stories that demonstrate how chemistry enhances industrial competitiveness and accelerates the green transition. Participants include the Tarragona Chemical Business Association (AEQT), Air Liquide, BASF Española, Bondalti, Carburos Metálicos, the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI), the Tarragona Chemical Cluster (ChemMed), Covestro, Ercros, Industrias Químicas del Ebro, Messer Ibérica de Gases, Moeve, Quimidroga, Química del Cinca and Repsol. Institutional partners will include ChemSpain, Foro Química y Sociedad and SusChem España.

Conferences and best practises
Over the course of four days, Smart Chemistry will offer a packed agenda of activities, including SmartTalks hosted by participating companies, as well as panel discussions and keynote sessions. These will address key challenges facing the chemical industry, such as access to affordable energy, the creation of a stable and efficient regulatory framework, innovation for decarbonisation, strategic autonomy in essential raw materials, and the financing required to scale up clean technologies and sustainable infrastructure. The programme will also maintain a strong focus on energy transition and the circular economy, exploring cutting-edge technological pathways such as CCUS (carbon capture, utilisation and storage), electrification, renewable gases, hydrogen, chemical recycling and digitalisation.

FEIQUE’s General Manager, Juan Antonio Labat, commented: “Smart Chemistry returns to Expoquimia with a clear roadmap: to strengthen the competitiveness of the chemical industry as a prerequisite for accelerating innovation and achieving Europe’s climate goals by 2050. Strategic autonomy, climate neutrality, energy transition and technological transformation are not possible without a robust chemical sector.”
“We aim to decarbonise, but we must remain competitive. The green transition cannot come at the expense of industrial strength. A resilient, innovative and export-capable chemical industry will be essential for continued societal progress.”

Chemistry as a driver of the economy
The products, advanced materials and technologies developed by the chemical industry are present in over 98% of productive sectors throughout the value chain. Chemistry is truly an industry of industries—without it, progress towards climate neutrality and the successful navigation of the green transition would be impossible.

Spain’s chemical industry is one of the country’s key economic engines. With a turnover of €85.483 billion, it accounts for nearly 4% of national GDP and generates over one million jobs. It also leads industrial investment in R&D&I, with more than €2 billion annually. Furthermore, it is a highly internationalised sector, with 69.2% of its turnover generated in foreign markets, giving it a strategic role in Spain’s global economic positioning.

With its fifth edition, Smart Chemistry is not only one of the sector’s flagship initiatives, but also a high-level platform for dialogue, visibility and collaboration. It serves as a unique meeting point for leading companies, public administrations, investors, universities, research centres and other key stakeholders, continuing to shape the future of industrial transformation. Held every three years since 2014, the forum is one of the most followed events at Expoquimia.

All sessions and events at the Smart Chemistry Agora will be available via live streaming.

About FEIQUE
FEIQUE (Spanish Chemical Industry Business Federation) represents and defends the interests of Spain’s chemical sector across more than 150 committees and executive bodies. Its mission is to promote the growth and competitive development of an innovative and sustainable chemical industry that contributes to value creation, employment and products that enhance societal wellbeing and quality of life.

About Expoquimia
Expoquimia is the leading international meeting point for the chemical industry, taking place from 2 to 5 June 2026 at Fira Barcelona’s Gran Via venue. Under the theme Transforming the Industry, Shaping the Future, the event connects chemistry with productive sectors, showcasing innovative solutions for more efficient and sustainable processes. Expoquimia features a wide-ranging exhibition offer and a full programme of conferences, seminars and networking opportunities. It also hosts key events such as Smart Chemistry, the 16th Mediterranean Congress of Chemical Engineering and the Gala Dinner. In 2026, it will once again be held alongside Equiplast, creating a joint commercial platform for the chemical and plastics industries, with over 800 exhibiting companies and an expected attendance of 21,000 professional visitors.

Madrid, 16 October 2025

Further information https://www.feique.org/smart-chemistry/

Esmeralda Honrubia
Directora de Comunicación y RSE
Tel.: 91431794 | 690011962  ehm@feique.org

Rosa Sepúlveda
Coordinadora de Medios, Digital y Divulgación
Tel.: 914317964 | 691047081 rosasepulveda@feique.org