• Platform reflects growing demand for integrated process engineering, digital systems, and advanced manufacturing ecosystems

• Knowledge-led exchange to support localisation, energy transition, and downstream industrial development under Vision 2030

Riyadh, KSA: As Saudi Arabia advances large-scale industrial and energy transition projects — including a carbon capture hub in Jubail designed to capture up to 9 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2028 and the USD 8.4 billion NEOM Green Hydrogen project targeting production of 600 tonnes per day of clean hydrogen by 2027 — the region’s process industries are entering a phase defined by system integration, decarbonisation, and advanced manufacturing.

Against this backdrop, ACHEMA Middle East debuts in the region, taking place from 26–28 October 2026 at the Riyadh International Convention & Exhibition Center (RICEC), in Saudi Arabia, under the patronage of the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and with the support of ASAS. The event brings ACHEMA’s century-long heritage in chemical engineering, process technology, and applied industrial science into a region undergoing rapid industrial diversification and downstream expansion.

For more than 100 years, ACHEMA has served as a global reference point for the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory and process industries. Its arrival in Saudi Arabia extends this role into the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA), providing a full-scale exhibition and conference platform that connects international solution providers with regional manufacturers, policymakers, researchers and technology leaders.

Organised by Messe Frankfurt and powered by DECHEMA, ACHEMA Middle East is aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and the Kingdom’s industrial development agenda. The event is designed to support localisation, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, digitalisation, and long-term investment across sectors including chemicals, energy, pharmaceuticals, food production, water technologies, and advanced materials.

The exhibition covers six core product groups, spanning the full process industry lifecycle, from industrial engineering and process technology to laboratory and analytical solutions, automation and digital systems, packaging and supply chain solutions, and innovation-led R&D. This integrated scope reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of modern process industries and the need for cross-disciplinary solutions.

Programme content is structured around six innovation themes — process, pharma, lab, digital, green, and energy innovation — delivered through CPD-accredited conferences, technical sessions and expert-led discussions addressing current industrial challenges and future pathways, including electrification, bioprocessing, AI-enabled operations and circular economy models.

Commenting on the launch, Dr. Björn Mathes, CEO of DECHEMA Exhibitions, said: “ACHEMA Middle East is not just a regional extension – it’s a strategic evolution. By bringing ACHEMA to Riyadh, we’re creating a platform where science, engineering and industrial innovation align with the ambitions of one of the world’s most dynamic industrial economies.”

Azzan Mohammed, Managing Director, Messe Frankfurt Saudi Arabia, added: “Saudi Arabia is undergoing a significant industrial transformation. ACHEMA Middle East reflects how international collaboration and knowledge exchange can support regional progress and contribute to the development of sustainable, competitive industrial ecosystems.”

Strong early interest is reflected in confirmed international brands including Yokogawa, GMM Pfaudler, Hach, Beckhoff, Aptek, Pharmadule Morimatsu, Tofflon and Sealmatic, indicating solid market engagement ahead of the inaugural edition.

With its emphasis on technical depth, system integration and applied knowledge exchange, ACHEMA Middle East 2026 is positioned to play a meaningful role in the region’s evolving process industry landscape.

The platform provides a centralized workflow for submitting, managing, and publishing press releases, addressing what the company describes as growing demand for predictability and efficiency in regional media distribution. Businesses operating across multiple Middle Eastern markets often face fragmented media landscapes and varying editorial requirements, complicating the publishing process.

Press Release Middle East allows users to submit content through an online system, select predefined publishing packages, and choose participating media outlets prior to publication. The service supports distribution across more than 25 regional media platforms, depending on package selection and scope.

In addition to distribution, the platform offers writing, editing, translation, and localization services for both English and Arabic content. These services are intended to support organizations that require regionally adapted messaging or are entering the Middle East market for the first time.

The company also publishes content through several in-house media brands, including Business News, Travel & Markets, and Property News, which focus on sector-specific coverage. This structure allows announcements to be aligned with targeted industry audiences, such as business professionals, investors, and consumers, depending on the nature of the release.

The platform includes reporting tools that provide users with confirmation links and visibility into where and when content has been published. This reporting element is aimed at improving transparency in a process that has traditionally relied on manual follow-ups and informal confirmation, according to the company.

Press Release Middle East said the service is intended for a broad range of users, including startups launching new products, private companies managing ongoing communications, and corporate or institutional organizations seeking coordinated regional exposure.

The launch comes as the Middle East continues to attract international investment and business expansion, increasing the volume of corporate announcements competing for media attention. As audiences diversify and media consumption habits evolve, organizations are reassessing how they approach press release distribution and visibility across the region.

Press Release Middle East positions its platform as a structured publishing option within this environment, combining distribution, content services, and reporting into a single system. The company said it aims to provide organizations with clearer oversight of the publishing process while maintaining flexibility in media selection and content preparation.

A Vision Realized: The Three-North Shelterbelt Program

The journey began in 1978 with the launch of the “Three-North Shelterbelt Program,” also known as the “Great Green Wall.” This ambitious project aimed to combat desertification and halt the encroachment of sandstorms into China’s northern regions. Over the decades, more than 30 million hectares of trees have been planted, significantly increasing China’s forest coverage. In the arid Xinjiang region, where the Taklamakan Desert lies, forest coverage has risen from a mere 1% to 5% over the past 40 years.

Innovative Approaches: Solar-Powered Agriculture

In addition to traditional tree planting, China has integrated modern technology into its desertification control efforts. In regions like Ningxia, solar panels are installed above crops such as goji berries and liquorice. These panels provide shade, reducing soil moisture evaporation and promoting plant growth. This “sand-plus-solar” approach not only generates renewable energy but also stabilizes the soil, reduces wind erosion, and creates microclimates conducive to vegetation growth.

Restoring Degraded Lands

China has rehabilitated 53% of its treatable desertified land, decreasing the area of desertified land by 65 million mu (about 4.3 million hectares). This achievement makes China the first country to achieve zero growth in land degradation and to reduce the area of desertified and sandy lands.

The Human Element: Local Communities and Livelihoods

The success of these projects is not solely due to government initiatives but also the active participation of local communities. Farmers and workers have been instrumental in planting and maintaining the green belt, often facing challenging conditions. Their efforts have not only contributed to environmental restoration but have also improved local livelihoods through sustainable agriculture and forestry practices.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining the Green Wall

While significant progress has been made, challenges remain. Desertified land still constitutes 26.8% of China’s total land area, a slight improvement from 27.2% a decade earlier. To address this, China plans to continue its afforestation programs, expand solar-powered agricultural initiatives, and refine land restoration strategies to balance ecological health with economic development. These efforts underscore China’s commitment to combating desertification and transforming deserts into productive, sustainable landscapes.

Conclusion

The completion of the 3,046-kilometer green belt around the Taklamakan Desert is a testament to China’s dedication to environmental restoration and sustainable development. Through innovative approaches and the involvement of local communities, China is turning one of the world’s harshest deserts into a thriving ecosystem. This achievement serves as a model for other nations facing similar challenges and highlights the importance of long-term commitment to environmental stewardship.

Resources:

• China completes 3,000-km green belt around its biggest desert, state media says
• Reuters
• China enlists solar panels in war to halt desert sands

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions to safeguard the emirate’s environment and biodiversity. As part of UAE Innovation Month, Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, highlighted the importance of integrating modern technology into environmental protection strategies to achieve sustainable growth.

“Innovation allows us to confront environmental challenges effectively, develop strategic solutions, and ensure sustainable development in light of limited natural resources,” she said.

Innovation at the Core of Environmental Strategy

EAD has fostered a culture of innovation since its inception, implementing Artificial Intelligence (AI), satellite monitoring, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and other advanced tools to study ecosystems, species, and environmental indicators. AI plays a central role in data-driven decision-making, enabling accurate analysis, policy development, and the creation of scalable conservation projects.

Landmark Initiatives and Achievements

• Historical Milestones: GIS was introduced in 1996, satellite tracking of turtles in 1998, migratory birds monitoring in 2005, and Arabian Oryx tracking with GSM technology in 2007.
• Abu Dhabi Pearl Project: Produces 80,000–1,000,000 oysters annually, supporting marine biodiversity.
• Water and Agriculture: The world’s largest strategic water reservoir (2009) and the Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (2013) optimize water usage and support food security. Laser irrigation technology reduced water consumption for forests by 35%.
• Solar Desalination & Innovation Teams: EAD built the first regional solar desalination center in 2016 and launched its first foresight innovation team in 2017.
• Recent AI-driven Projects: Soil quality assessment, the Dugong Research Tool, and the Makhzan Al Kheir project have been recognized in national innovation reports.

Environmental Preservation Through Technology

EAD is implementing forward-thinking initiatives such as the Blue Carbon Project, which uses drones to plant 1.1 million mangrove seeds, earning recognition as a top innovation solution by the World Economic Forum. The agency also launched:

• BAADR mobile application: Engages the community in environmental preservation practices.
• Eltezam digital system: Enhances environmental inspections, enabling real-time, on-site compliance evaluation.

“Through innovation, AI, and community engagement, we are creating smarter, more effective approaches to preserve Abu Dhabi’s environment for future generations,” said Dr. Al Dhaheri.

EAD’s efforts showcase how technology, research, and citizen participation can work together to protect biodiversity, optimize natural resource usage, and achieve sustainable development—serving as a model for environmental agencies worldwide.