The Mediterranean Congress of Chemical Engineering (MeCCE) has established itself as a landmark event in the field of chemical engineering, dedicated to fostering collaboration between industry and academia to address critical challenges and drive innovation. Its origins lie in the creation of Expoquimia (Fira de Barcelona), founded in 1965 as Spanish leading international chemistry trade fair, providing a platform to showcase advancements in the chemical industry. MeCCE was created by Fira de Barcelona in 1978 within the framework of Expoquimia and driven by the Spanish Society of Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (SEQUI), with the goal of uniting professionals and advancing the field of chemical engineering in Spain and beyond.

Over the years, MeCCE has expanded its scope and influence, providing a forum for crucial dialogues and showcasing pioneering research. In 2017, the Congress played a key role by hosting the 10th World Congress of Chemical Engineering (WCCE-10) at Fira de Barcelona. This successful event, highlighted by the Barcelona Declaration, demonstrated the leadership of both the city and the Congress in tackling global chemical engineering challenges.

MeCCE continued to evolve, and in 2020, two additional organizations joined SEQUI in co-organizing the Congress: the AIQS (Professional Association of the Institut Químic de Sarrià) and the EIC (Association of Industrial Engineers of Catalonia). This alliance strengthened the scientific foundation of the Congress, bringing together all major engineering institutions in Catalonia.

Historic Edition in 2023: Leading Solutions for the Planet

Under the theme "Chemical Engineering, Leading Solutions for the Planet," the 15th edition of MeCCE took place in 2023, presided over by Dr. Rosa Nomen. This in-person event, following the online edition in 2020, tackled urgent topics such as circularity, decarbonization, advanced materials, critical raw materials, functional surfaces, and digitalization across industrial sectors. With over 250 international participants, the Congress reaffirmed its commitment to providing practical and innovative solutions to global challenges.

Looking Ahead: The 16th Edition in 2026

We are pleased to announce the 16th edition of MeCCE, to be held from June 2 to June 5, 2026, within the framework of Expoquimia (Fira de Barcelona). Under the motto “Transforming the Industry, Shaping the Future," this edition will invite chemical engineers from both national and international spheres, but also academia and industry, to explore new solutions in areas such as circularity, industrial decarbonization, the application of new technologies like artificial intelligence, and water resources, among others. With a renewed commitment to collaboration between academia and industry, MeCCE 2026 promises to be a platform for innovation and global progress, showcasing the critical contributions of chemical engineering to industry.