66 years Ilmac

1959 – 2025 | Ilmac

2025 is a very special year for us as – we celebrate the 66th anniversary of Ilmac, one of the oldest and most important industry event of MCH Swiss Exhibition Ltd. We have been constantly evolving since 1959.

Ilmac is one of the most important trade fairs for laboratory, analytical and process technology in Switzerland. Since its inception in 1959, it has served as a central innovation platform for the Swiss life sciences, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. Over six decades, the event has evolved from a classic industrial trade fair into a modern, hybrid and strongly community-oriented format.

Below you can see an overview of the important milestones in Ilmac’s history since 1959.
Click on the images to find out more about each section.

Ilmac Timeline Übersicht — The years 1959 – 1978

The beginnings of Ilmac

Ilmac (International Congress and Exhibition of Laboratory, Measurement and Automation Techniques in Chemistry) was held for the first time in Basel in 1959. In this early phase, Ilmac established itself as a meeting place for experts from the fields of research, production, and engineering.

Growth and professionalization

Technological advances—e.g., automated analysis, chromatography, digitization of initial laboratory processes—led to a significant expansion of the range of products and services on offer. Ilmac gained in international importance.

Laboratory 4.0 and new horizons

The digitization of laboratories (“Laboratory 4.0”) changed the industry—and with it, Ilmac. Topics such as robot-assisted workflows, data management, AI-based analyses, sustainability, and process transparency became increasingly important. In 2017, Ilmac Lausanne took place for the first time, catering to the growing life sciences region in western Switzerland.

Ilmac in the age of digital innovation

The pandemic accelerated digital transformations. In 2023, Ilmac’s branding was revamped. The Ilmac 365 community network, including an app, was introduced. Ilmac 2023 and 2025 clearly show the evolution towards a community ecosystem that not only offers a trade fair every two years, but also facilitates ongoing exchange. Ilmac is thus positioning itself as the leading Swiss platform for laboratory and process technology in the age of digitalization, sustainability, and global life sciences innovations.

66 years of innovation

Over the course of 66 years, Ilmac has evolved from a traditional industrial exhibition into a modern platform for innovation, knowledge, and networking. It reflects the transformation of the Swiss chemical and life sciences industry, from mechanical equipment technology and biotechnology to data-driven, automated laboratory and production environments.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Ilmac remains a key driver that connects, strengthens, and further develops the Swiss scientific and industrial landscape.