Chemical UK Expo 2027 – Birmingham, United Kingdom

What to expect

Chemical UK Expo 2027, also known as CHEMUK Expo, is the UK’s largest B2B trade show supporting the chemicals, process engineering and formulated product industries. The expo is the premier annual meeting place for the entire chemicals, process engineering and formulated products ecosystem and is designed to bring the whole supply chain together in one giant hall at the NEC Birmingham.

You can expect to engage with over 600 specialist exhibitors and more than 150 expert speaker sessions over two days. The event is structured into five focused show zones, making it easy to navigate and ensuring that every part of the supply chain is represented. These zones cover Chemicals Supply, Chemicals Management, Process and Chemical Engineering, Chemical Laboratory, and Formulated Product Manufacture. Whether you are sourcing raw materials, managing logistics and regulatory compliance, designing process plant, equipping a laboratory or outsourcing formulated product manufacturing, you will find specialist partners ready to discuss your bespoke requirements.

The show is free to attend for everyone and is trusted as a platform where collaboration is fostered across the chemical supply chain. It also provides a platform for the industry to speak with a stronger collective voice about the critical role chemicals play in powering the economy, driving innovation, enabling sustainability and underpinning almost every aspect of modern society. Expect live product showcases, hands-on equipment, practical guidance on safety and regulation, and a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and skills.

Event dates

• Event Dates: 19th & 20th May, 2027
• Event Timings: 09:30 AM – 05:00 PM on Day One, 09:30 AM – 04:00 PM on Day Two
• Edition: 8th Annual Edition
• Frequency: Annual
• Launch Year: 2019 at Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate
• Venue: Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham, UK

All exhibition, conference sessions and networking activities take place within these two core days. Registration opens in January and early pre-registration is recommended due to high demand.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

The venue for Chemical UK Expo 2027 is Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham, United Kingdom. The full address is National Exhibition Centre, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT, UK. Hall 5 is one of the NEC’s flagship halls, offering a vast open floorplate ideal for large-scale chemical and process engineering exhibitions with heavy equipment.

The NEC Birmingham is the UK’s largest exhibition venue, located 8 miles east of Birmingham city centre at the heart of the UK motorway network with 16,500 parking spaces and its own train station. The site offers extensive facilities including free shuttle buses between car parks and halls, free Wi-Fi for visitors, award-winning catering, and fully accessible exhibition halls. Hall 5 provides high ceilings, heavy-duty flooring for plant and machinery, and excellent logistics access for exhibitors bringing process equipment, laboratory systems and bulk handling solutions.

The expo runs in one giant hall showcasing all five zones side by side, creating a highly efficient environment where you can walk from raw material suppliers to process engineering contractors to laboratory specialists within minutes. The venue is operated by the NEC Group and hosts over 500 events annually.

Full event programme

The full event programme for Chemical UK Expo 2027 combines a large-scale exhibition with a comprehensive 2-day speaker programme hosting 150+ expert speakers discussing the big challenges and opportunities affecting the UK’s chemical and chemical product industries.

The exhibition itself is divided into five focused show zones. The Chemicals Supply Zone covers sourcing, distribution, logistics, storage and handling of chemicals. The Chemicals Management Zone focuses on regulatory compliance, REACH, safety, hazardous goods handling, software and service partners. The Process and Chemical Engineering Zone showcases plant, equipment, pumps, valves, filtration, mixing and process optimisation. The Chemical Laboratory Zone, now in its third year and one of the most recent additions, showcases specialist technology, systems and services for laboratory professionals concerned with research and development, analysis, process design and development, scale-up and quality testing. The Formulated Product Manufacturer Zone, new for 2025 onwards, focuses on contract manufacturing, outsourcing and private label production.

Alongside the exhibition, the speaker programme runs across multiple conference theatres with downloadable presentation guides for Day One, Day Two and the full agenda. Sessions are curated to provide practical, technical and strategic insight rather than product pitches, with case studies from leading manufacturers and service providers.

Key speakers & keynote speakers

The speaker programme for Chemical UK Expo 2027 will host industry leaders from across the entire chemical value chain. The 2026 programme provides a strong indication of the calibre expected, with confirmed contributions from BASF, UK Government, IMechE, Chemical Business Association, Merck, Univar Solutions, Brenntag, and many more.

Key speakers typically include senior representatives from major chemical producers and distributors, regulatory bodies, engineering institutions and sustainability leaders. The IMechE at CHEMUK programme is a fixture, with speakers such as Alan D’Ambrogio MBA CEng MIMechE, EUR ING Richard Hellebrand BSc (Hons) CEng and EUR ING Martyn Ralph BSc CEng FIMechE MCIBD discussing process safety, plant integrity and professional development.

The Chemical Business Association provides keynote insights on supply chain resilience, while government speakers address UK chemicals strategy, regulation and net zero. Technical leaders from laboratory and innovation companies present on analytical methods, method transfers and sampling strategy. With over 150 speakers expected, the programme ensures every show zone has dedicated expert content.

Conference sessions & tracks

Conference sessions and tracks are organised across the five show zones, providing a structured and navigable event experience.

Chemicals Supply Show Track covers sourcing, distribution, logistics, storage, handling and supply chain resilience, with sessions on global sourcing challenges and UK supply chain innovation.

Chemicals Management Show Track focuses on regulatory compliance, REACH, CLP, hazardous goods, safety management, dangerous goods training, software and compliance services.

Process and Chemical Engineering Show Track explores process design, plant engineering, process optimisation, pumps, valves, mixing, filtration, process safety and decarbonisation of chemical manufacturing.

Chemical Laboratory Show Track showcases specialist exhibitors providing technology, systems and services to attending laboratory professionals concerned with research and development, analysis, process design and development, scale-up and quality testing. Topics include analytical method technology transfers, sampling and sample preparation as cornerstones of analytical strategy.

Formulated Product Manufacture Track covers contract manufacturing, outsourcing, private label and toll manufacturing, with insights from the British Contract Manufacturers and Packers Association on the advantages of outsourcing in the chemicals sector.

Each track includes panel discussions, technical presentations and case studies, with downloadable guides available before the show.

Session times & schedule

The daily schedule is designed to maximise time for both exhibition and conference attendance.

Morning Opening begins with hall opening and registration from early morning, with exhibition viewing starting from mid-morning and running continuously. The speaker programme begins shortly after hall opening.

Mid-Morning to Afternoon Content Blocks run in parallel across multiple conference theatres. Visitors can move freely between exhibition zones and theatres, with sessions typically lasting 30 to 45 minutes including Q&A.

Lunch and Networking takes place on the show floor with catering outlets in Hall 5 and surrounding Piazza areas. The single-hall format makes it easy to continue networking while viewing equipment.

Afternoon Sessions continue until late afternoon, with the exhibition remaining open for business discussions after formal presentations end.

Closing Times follow the pattern of previous editions with Day One closing later to allow for extended networking, and Day Two closing slightly earlier for breakdown. Free shuttle buses between car parks and halls operate continuously during show hours.

Ticket types & registration

Chemical UK Expo 2027 is free to attend for everyone, including visitors, exhibitors’ guests, press, students and speakers. This free-to-attend policy has been consistent since the launch in 2019 to ensure the entire industry can attend.

Visitor Ticket provides full two-day access to all five show zones, the 2-day speaker programme with 150+ sessions, networking areas and downloadable presentation guides. The ticket price is $0 USD. Registration is via the official website https://www.chemicalukexpo.com/ and via the registration portal at register.visitcloud.com. All attendees must hold a valid badge and be registered for the current show either pre-show or onsite.

Exhibitor Ticket is included within exhibitor stand packages. Exhibitors receive multiple exhibitor badges, E-Zone access for profile management and marketing materials.

Student and Group Tickets are also free. The show welcomes laboratory professionals, process engineers, chemical engineers, supply chain managers, R&D teams and students.

Exhibitor Stand Pricing is available on application. Previous editions have offered space-only and shell scheme options across Hall 5. For current rates in USD, contact the organiser at +44 20 3196 4000 or chemukexpo@gmail.com. Early booking is recommended as over 600 exhibitors are expected and 60% of space is often assigned months in advance.

Registration deadlines

Registration for free visitor tickets typically opens in January and remains open until the final day of the show, with onsite registration also available at Hall 5 reception for industry professionals.

Early Registration is recommended to receive the conference timetable, speaker presentations guide and exhibitor list in advance, and to plan meetings via the show platform.

Exhibitor Booking Deadline for prime positions in Hall 5 closes well in advance, as the show regularly hosts 550 to 600 specialist exhibitors. Companies planning to exhibit should register their interest early via the official website.

Marketing Profile Deadline for exhibitors to complete their E-Zone profile, logo and business categories closes approximately six weeks before the show to ensure inclusion in the official show guide and online exhibitor list.

Group Registration for BCMPA, CBA and IMechE members is supported through association portals and closes shortly before the show.

Exhibitor list & major companies

Chemical UK Expo 2027 will present over 600 specialist exhibitors and is recognised as the best kept secret in science for the breadth of supply chain coverage.

The exhibitor list spans five zones and includes global chemical manufacturers, distributors, logistics providers, plant and equipment manufacturers, laboratory equipment suppliers, regulatory and compliance service providers, and formulated product manufacturers.

Typical exhibitors include major names such as BASF, Brenntag, Univar Solutions, Merck, Monarch Chemicals, GRG Waste UK, Friedheim International with over a hundred years of history as a leading supplier, Butterworth Labs, Yordas Group, Portakabin for modular laboratory and industrial buildings, BM Aluminium and many more. Over 25% of exhibitors in recent editions have been new to the show, reflecting growing international interest with exhibitors from United Kingdom, India, United States, Germany and China.

The 2026 edition reported 5,200 attendees and 550 exhibitors expected so far, with growth anticipated for 2027. The full exhibitor list for the current edition is published on https://www.chemicalukexpo.com/ and via 10times.com listings showing over 1,800 historical exhibitors across editions.

Exhibition halls & floor plan

The exhibition is hosted in one giant hall – Hall 5 at the NEC Birmingham – creating a highly efficient and navigable environment.

Hall 5 Layout is divided into five focused show zones: Chemicals Supply Zone, Chemicals Management Zone, Process and Chemical Engineering Zone, Chemicals Laboratory Zone, and Formulated Product Manufacturer Zone. This clear framework allows visitors to quickly locate relevant suppliers and technologies.

Chemicals Supply and Management Areas cover sourcing, distribution, logistics, storage, handling, regulatory compliance, safety and software, ensuring core supply chain functions are fully represented.

Process and Chemical Engineering Area showcases plant, process equipment, pumps, valves, filtration, mixing and engineering services.

Chemical Laboratory Zone showcases specialist exhibitors providing technology, systems and services for laboratory professionals.

Formulated Product Manufacturer Area hosts contract manufacturers and outsourcing partners.

The single-hall design ensures all exhibitors are within easy walking distance. Free shuttle buses connect car parks to Hall 5, and the NEC’s Piazza provides additional catering and meeting space. The official floor plan and exhibitor locator are available via the website and event app.

Networking & business meetings

Networking and business meetings are central to Chemical UK Expo’s purpose as the UK’s premier annual meeting place for the entire chemicals ecosystem.

The event provides a platform for face-to-face meetings with specialist chemical industry supply chain partners to discuss bespoke requirements. With over 5,200 attendees in recent editions, the show attracts chemical engineers, process engineers, laboratory managers, supply chain directors, R&D leaders and procurement professionals from across the UK and internationally.

The show app and registration platform allow visitors to search exhibitors by zone, product category and capability, and to pre-book meetings. Exhibitor stands provide meeting space for technical discussions, while association areas such as IMechE Stand M2 for Membership and Professional Registration and BCMPA networking areas offer neutral meeting points.

The Process and Chemical Engineering Show running as part of CHEMUK provides additional networking for plant engineers and safety professionals. Evening networking and informal meetings continue in the NEC’s onsite hotels and Piazza bars.

Industry sectors & highlights

Chemical UK Expo covers all industry sectors within the chemicals and chemical product industries, from basic chemicals to highly formulated products.

Chemical Supply and Distribution includes raw materials, specialty chemicals, dyes, pigments, solvents, polymers, additives and bulk chemicals.

Chemical Management includes regulatory compliance, REACH, hazardous goods handling, waste management such as GRG Waste UK, logistics, storage and safety training.

Process and Chemical Engineering includes chemical engineering, process engineering, plant design, process equipment, industrial engineering, plant safety and decarbonisation.

Laboratory and Innovation includes laboratory equipment, analytical instruments, R&D services, process development, scale-up and quality testing.

Formulated Product Manufacture includes contract manufacturing, toll manufacturing, private label, personal care, household, adhesives and coatings.

Highlights for 2027 include expanded laboratory content now in its third year, new outsourcing focus through the Formulated Product Manufacturer Show, and continued emphasis on sustainability, innovation and skills. The show also champions the critical role chemicals play in enabling sustainability across modern society.

Event rules & visitor information

Chemical UK Expo is a professional B2B trade show with clear visitor information.

Trade Only Policy – the exhibition, conference and all networking opportunities are aimed at industry professionals. Registration requires business details and proof of industry involvement may be requested.

Badge Policy – all attendees including visitors, exhibitors, press and speakers must hold a valid badge and be registered for the current show. Badges must be worn at all times within Hall 5.

Safety Policy – as a show featuring chemical and process engineering equipment, safety is paramount. Exhibitors handling chemicals must comply with NEC safety regulations and hazardous goods handling rules.

Photography Policy – official photography takes place throughout the show. By attending, you consent to being filmed for promotional purposes.

Sustainability Policy – the organiser encourages responsible behaviour and promotes sustainable practices across the chemical supply chain.

Contact Information – for queries, contact CHEMUK EXPO Ltd at +44 20 3196 4000, chemukexpo@gmail.com or via https://www.chemicalukexpo.com/. Additional phone lines include +44 (0) 203-829-6060.

How to get there

Chemical UK Expo 2027 takes place at Hall 5, NEC, Birmingham, UK, National Exhibition Centre, North Ave, Marston Green, Birmingham B40 1NT.

By Car – the NEC is at the heart of the UK motorway network, 8 miles east of Birmingham city centre, with direct access via M42 and M6. Follow electronic signage to Hall 5 parking areas. Once parked, take a free shuttle bus or walk via signposted footpaths.

By Train – Birmingham International Station is directly connected to the NEC via covered walkway and free Air-Rail Link. Direct services run from London Euston, Birmingham New Street and across the UK.

By Air – Birmingham Airport is adjacent to the NEC and Birmingham International Station, with free monorail link providing easy access for international visitors.

By Bus – public bus services operate regularly to the NEC from Birmingham and surrounding areas.

Local Directions – use postcode B40 1NT for navigation and follow signs for Hall 5 and CHEMUK Expo upon arrival.

Public transport & parking

Public transport and parking at the NEC are extensive and designed for large-scale events.

Parking includes 16,500 spaces available across well-signposted car parks with electronic signage directing you to specific areas for Hall 5. Parking is chargeable with pre-bookable options including NEC Express car parks via parking.thenec.co.uk. EV charging spaces are available in designated areas.

Shuttle Buses are free and always running between car parks and halls when there is an exhibition taking place, including services to Hall 5.

Train and Air-Rail Link provides hassle-free access from Birmingham International Station directly to the NEC.

Accessibility includes pre-bookable accessible parking spaces, step-free access throughout Hall 5 and accessible facilities.

Additional Services include free Wi-Fi for all visitors and trained medical staff available at the venue at all times.

Accommodation areas

Accommodation near the NEC Birmingham is extensive due to proximity to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International Station.

Onsite and Immediate Vicinity includes hotels within walking distance of Hall 5 such as Hilton Birmingham Metropole, Crowne Plaza NEC, Premier Inn Birmingham NEC/Airport and Resorts World complex hotels. These offer chargeable onsite parking, restaurants, breakfast and free Wi-Fi and are ideal for exhibitors.

Birmingham International and Bickenhill Area includes hotels in Bickenhill near Birmingham International Airport just off the M42 motorway, with convenient shuttle access.

Birmingham City Centre including Broad Street and ICC hotels accessible via train from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham International.

Coleshill and North Warwickshire offers B&Bs with secure parking and early breakfast options for exhibitors needing early access.

Early booking is essential as the NEC hosts multiple events concurrently and hotels sell out quickly.

Previous year’s highlights

Previous editions have shown significant growth and strong industry engagement.

CHEMUK 2026 is expected to host 5,200 attendees, 550 exhibitors and 150 speakers across Hall 5, while the 2025 edition showcased 550 specialist exhibitors and 100 expert speaker sessions across five show zones. The 2024 edition featured 500+ specialist exhibitors and 150+ expert speakers split across Chemicals Supply, Chemicals Management, Process and Chemical Engineering and Chemical Laboratory zones, plus new Safety content.

Highlights included strong representation from the entire supply chain, from raw material suppliers to laboratory innovators, and extensive conference content covering analytical method transfers, sampling strategy, waste management and outsourcing. Associations such as BCMPA, CBA and IMechE used the show to promote professional development, membership and best practice.

The show’s growth from its launch in Harrogate in 2019 to over 600 exhibitors at the NEC demonstrates its position as the UK’s largest gathering of chemicals experts, with increasing international participation and record numbers of newcomers.

Official registration & tickets

Official registration and tickets are managed through the official website https://www.chemicalukexpo.com/.

Official Website: https://www.chemicalukexpo.com/
Registration: Free to attend for everyone via register.visitcloud.com portals linked from the official site
Organiser: CHEMUK EXPO Ltd
Contact Phone: +44 20 3196 4000 and +44 (0) 203-829-6060
Contact Email: chemukexpo@gmail.com and info@chemicalukexpo.com

Visitor attendance is free with registration opening in January. Exhibitor enquiries for Hall 5 stands should be made via the official website or by contacting the organiser directly. The expo is free to attend for everyone and provides downloadable presentation guides and conference timetables in advance. Beware of third-party sites charging fees – the only official source is chemicalukexpo.com.