Ilmac, the Swiss trade fair for the chemical and life science industry, returns at the end of summer. Céline Futterknecht, Brand Director of Ilmac, spoke with ChemieXtra about the upcoming Basel edition, taking place from 16 to 18 September.

How was Ilmac Lausanne in September 2024?
Céline Futterknecht: We saw a remarkable increase of 65 per cent in entries compared to 2022, with more visitors than ever before attending. International participation also increased, with high levels of satisfaction reported by both visitors and exhibitors. The event created a welcoming atmosphere for networking, making it a great success for us.

Building on the fair’s 66-year history, Ilmac has become the leading platform in Switzerland. It plays a vital role in connecting decision-makers, innovators, and future leaders across the entire industry.

What are you carrying over to Ilmac Basel?
We are expanding the exhibitor segments and delving into future-relevant topics such as robotics, automation, biotechnology, and digitalization. This year’s Lux stands in Basel offer new opportunities for companies to showcase their products and services.

Today, Ilmac is much more than just a laboratory trade fair; it presents a wide range of topics, including interactive formats and real-time exchanges. In Basel, we anticipate a diverse group of participants, ranging from executives and researchers to buyers and innovators, all representing the entire value chain of the life sciences and process industries.

The fair has been around for over 65 years. Is anything special planned to mark this?
We are excited to celebrate Ilmac’s 66th anniversary! To mark this special occasion, we will be hosting a party on the first evening in the Bambusnest. We hope both visitors and exhibitors will join us in Hall 2.0 starting at 5:00 p.m, and we’re expecting around 1,500 guests for an evening filled with networking opportunities and engaging discussions with industry colleagues. Food, drinks, and music will be provided. We look forward to seeing you there!

You’re launching the “Women in Life Sciences” format. What can visitors expect?
On September 17th, we are dedicating the evening to highlighting the contributions of women in the life sciences sector. The event will start at 4:30 p.m. and will focus on the “gender health gap” and the significance of female leadership in the life sciences field.

This exclusive gathering aims to provide insightful discussions, networking opportunities, and actionable strategies to promote diversity, equity, and innovation in healthcare. The evening will conclude with an aperitif.

The “Future of Life Sciences Area” will also debut in 2025. What does it offer visitors?
The Future of Life Sciences section will showcase groundbreaking technologies, ranging from AI-driven drug development to advanced robotics that are shaping the industry’s future. This exhibition focuses on genuine innovations that promise to transform tomorrow. Hall 1.0 will highlight bold ideas and pioneering technologies tailored for progressive players in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technology sectors. This interactive platform will feature live demonstrations, expert discussions, and opportunities for hands-on engagement with innovations.

There’s also a change to the Pharma Logistics Days this year?
We have fully integrated the Pharma Logistics Days into Hall 1.0 for all three days of the fair. We anticipate an increase in exhibitors from both Switzerland and other European countries. Additionally, we are excited to introduce the new “PLD Coffee Talks Corner” stage, which will feature engaging discussions on industry topics and showcase innovative products related to pharmaceutical logistics, packaging, and transport.

How many visitors are you expecting in September?
We’re expecting over 12,000 visitors in Basel, which we’re very excited about.

What else should people interested in Ilmac 2025 know?
Ilmac has been Switzerland’s largest industry trade fair for 66 years, and my team and I are dedicated to ensuring its continued success. This year’s edition will focus on future-oriented themes presented across all four stages. We will promote trends, innovations, and real-world applications through open dialogue.

In addition to the trade fair itself, Ilmac 2025 will provide an interactive ecosystem for networking and knowledge exchange, further enhancing Basel’s role as the heart of Switzerland’s life sciences sector.

What’s the best way to prepare for the trade fair?
The easiest way is with the Ilmac app. We are encouraging both exhibitors and visitors to download it — which also gives access to the Ilmac 365 community platform.

First published in ChemieXtra issue 5-6/2025 in German