Aquatech China Strengthens Leading Position

International water trade show Aquatech China saw attendance grow by well over 20% for its latest edition thanks to an expanded, market-focused programme, confirming the event’s leading position as an essential destination for visitors and exhibitors alike. More than 70,000 visits were made to Aquatech China 2016 and its co-located events, held in Shanghai on 15-17 June, with exhibitors enjoying access to high quality visitors from right across the country. This audience was boosted by the participation of equally influential international visitors, with South Korea, Taiwan, India, Japan, Malaysia and Thailand among the other most prominent countries represented.

Aquatech China 2016 in numbers
The impressive results for Aquatech China 2016 included:
-       a total of 150,000 gross square metres of floor space
-       participation of 2647 exhibitors from 36 countries
-       a record-breaking 71,968 visitors from 89 countries, 86% Chinese /14% international

Industrial opportunities
The industrial water market represents one of the biggest growth opportunities in China, with government action driving improvements by water users in sectors such as coal, chemicals, petrochemicals, power stations, textiles, and the food and beverage industries. At the same time, Chinese contractors are looking increasingly at opportunities around the world.
Aquatech China picked up again on this key market with its latest Industrial Water Leaders Forum, with this year’s event organised in partnership with Global Water Intelligence. It delivered quality speaker sessions and meeting opportunities across both of these areas for an audience of high-level executives. Speakers and participants included representatives of international financing institutions and development banks, as well as Chinese regulators, government officials, contractors, technology providers, and end-users.

Highlighting innovation
China’s on-going efforts to tackle its water issues means solutions are in demand. The need for action in areas such as difficult to treat industrial wastewater streams, municipal wastewater and biosolids, and stormwater management means there is a strong interest in innovative approaches.
The first ever China BlueTech Awards Innovation Pavilion was hosted on the show floor. This new addition allowed the seven finalists of the 2016 China BlueTech Awards to showcase their groundbreaking solutions to the tens of thousands of show visitors. The awards were organised by BlueTech Research and Mandarin Environment. The overall winners, selected for their innovation and readiness for the Chinese market, were acknowledged at a special ceremony at the pavilion: industrial wastewater specialist OriginClear and stormwater innovator PaveDrain, both of the US.

Satisfied exhibitors
With record visitor numbers in attendance, Aquatech China was a firm success for exhibitors, whether participating in regular booths, in the pavilions hosted by Canada, Holland, Korea and the Water Quality Association, or in the co-located FlowEx, Ecotech and BuildEx events.

“A great visitor attendance this year, with amazing opportunities to meet our customers and build new relationships,” commented Claire Zhang of Evoqua Water Technologies.

Peter Clinckemalie, of first time exhibitor Pollet Water Group, said: “The target of this first participation in Aquatech China was to find out if Asia could be one of Pollet Water Group’s markets for the future. We collected good contacts to achieve this.”

“It is a great event where Chinese and international companies can meet and do business together,” added Tony Huang of trade organisation RCRO.

Next stop: Aquatech China 2017
“This year’s event was remarkably successful. My predecessors have set the bar high with a visitor growth of 26 percent compared to 2015,” comments Sisi Chou, the new Product Manager of Aquatech China. “Next year Aquatech’s will mark its 10th anniversary, and as new Product Manager Aquatech China, my team and I aspire to continue this trend and exceed previous editions.”

The market opportunities in China have been highlighted by Global Water Intelligence in its 2016 report, which noted the increased emphasis on water quality issues such as wastewater effluent quality, sludge management and drinking water quality by the government in its latest five yearly targets. “The release of many favourable regulations, policies and laws in 2014 and 2015 have shown the determination of the Chinese authorities to improve the quality of the whole water environment,” it notes. Aquatech China provides the ideal opportunity to build the business relations needed to access this market.

The next edition of Aquatech China will take place on 7-9 June 2017 at the National Exhibition and Conference Center in Shanghai. The 2017 event will again feature the Industrial Water Leaders Forum and the BlueTech China Innovation Awards.
For details of activities and how to participate in Aquatech China 2017, visit www.aquatechtrade.com/china