Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
ERTC 2026 returns for its 30th edition at a critical time for the downstream industry. With a focus on innovation, digitalisation, and collaboration, the event will explore how refiners can stay competitive and drive decarbonisation.
Join industry leaders in Madrid to position your business at the forefront of innovation and growth in global refining. ERTC 2026 takes place in Madrid, Spain.
TL;DR
- 1Dates: 30 November - 3 December 2026, Madrid, Spain; the venue address and daily start times are confirmed on the ERTC site (ertc.wraconferences.com).
- 2Organiser: World Refining Association (WRA) with Clarion Events; ERTC is WRA's refining technology conference series, and the Madrid edition runs under the ertc.wraconferences.com domain.
- 3Format: A conference-led programme of plenary and technical sessions on downstream refining and petrochemical technology, with an accompanying exhibition where licensors, catalyst suppliers, equipment vendors and EPC contractors meet refinery operators.
- 4Sector Focus: Clean fuels and hydroprocessing, FCC and hydrocracking, petrochemical integration, decarbonisation and CCUS, hydrogen, digital operations and asset reliability.
- 5Who Should Attend: Refinery and petrochemical plant operators, process and reliability engineers, technology licensors, catalyst and equipment suppliers, EPC contractors and downstream strategy leads.
Why visit
Attendees will gain insights from industry leaders and network with over 1200 senior executives. Dates and Venue: ERTC 2026 takes place from November 30 to December 3, 2026, in Madrid, Spain. Scale and Focus: The event expects over 1200 attendees, including 400 refiners and 130 speakers. Buyer Authority: Senior executives, technologists, and regulators from the refining and petrochemical sectors will attend.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors will have direct access to decision-makers from refiners and EPCs, enhancing brand visibility and generating valuable leads. The event offers opportunities to showcase innovations and solutions to key industry challenges. Meet qualified buyers and partners including Refinery equipment manufacturers, Petrochemical technology providers, Consulting firms specializing in energy. Position your offer across refining technologies and equipment, petrochemical production.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Refining and petrochemical operations directors comparing process unit upgrades, catalyst change-outs and turnaround strategies for their sites
Process engineers evaluating hydrotreating, hydrocracking and FCC technologies against tightening fuel sulphur and aromatics specifications
Reliability, maintenance and inspection engineers sourcing corrosion control, fouling mitigation and condition-monitoring services for crude and conversion units
Technology and licensing managers assessing licensors, basic engineering packages and pilot-plant data before committing to a revamp study
Energy transition and decarbonisation leads scouting CCUS, blue and green hydrogen, electrification and biofeed co-processing options for existing assets
Digital and automation specialists looking at APC, real-time optimisation and plant data platforms that can be retrofitted to legacy refinery control systems
Procurement and supply chain managers meeting catalyst, valve, heat exchanger and rotating equipment suppliers ahead of planned shutdowns
Strategy, economics and market analysts tracking refining margins, capacity rationalisation and refinery-petrochemical integration across Europe and the Mediterranean
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Process licensors offering hydroprocessing, hydrocracking, FCC, reforming and aromatics technologies with basic engineering design packages
Catalyst and adsorbent manufacturers supplying hydrotreating, FCC additive, reforming and guard-bed products plus reload and regeneration services
Refinery equipment makers for heat exchangers, reactors, valves, flanges, compressors, pumps and fired heaters rated for high-pressure hydrogen service
Corrosion, inspection and asset integrity providers offering NDT, RBI, fouling monitoring and turnaround planning services
Decarbonisation technology suppliers covering carbon capture solvents, hydrogen production and blending, electrification of fired heaters and biofeed pre-treatment
Digital and automation vendors for advanced process control, plant-wide optimisation, simulation and predictive maintenance in downstream operations
EPC contractors and engineering houses that execute refinery revamps, unit additions and brownfield tie-ins across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East
Analytical, testing and certification labs plus consultancy firms covering catalyst testing, crude assay work, energy transition roadmaps and regulatory compliance
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Hydrotreating and hydrodesulphurisation catalysts, guard beds and reactor internals for low-sulphur fuels
Hydrocracking and FCC technologies, catalysts and additives for conversion and propylene yields
Catalytic reforming, isomerisation and aromatics complex technology for octane and petrochemical feed
Refinery-petrochemical integration solutions covering naphtha, LPG, aromatics and steam cracker feed preparation
Decarbonisation and CCUS technology: amine and advanced solvents, hydrogen production, biofeed co-processing and electrified heat
Heat exchangers, reactors, valves, flanges and high-pressure equipment for hydrogen and sour service
Corrosion control, chemical treatment, fouling mitigation and inspection or asset integrity services
Advanced process control, real-time optimisation, simulation and industrial analytics for refinery operations
Turnaround, maintenance and revamp engineering services, including modular construction and brownfield tie-in execution
Energy and carbon management consulting, crude assay and catalyst testing, and downstream market advisory
Location & Facilities
Venue
Madrid
Madrid, Spain
Facilities
Parking
Madrid in Madrid typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Madrid in Madrid typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Madrid for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Who runs the show
Organisers
World Refining Association
Clarion Events Limited
How the last edition performed
Previous edition
Next edition
Not announced yet
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Madrid, Spain
Why it matters
Attending ERTC 2026 on 2026-11-30 to 2026-12-03 in Madrid lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · EUR
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas
to venue
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Room Gran Via
budget
Gran Via, central Madrid2-star hotel with guest rating around 4.1 from roughly 1,300 reviews; breakfast, free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, parking and restaurant on site. Google Hotels showed a EUR 3,580 aggregate figure for the 30 Nov - 3 Dec window, which looks like a stay total rather than a nightly rate - verify the rate basis at booking. USD band is an approximate nightly anchor, not a quoted price.
ibis Styles Madrid Airport Valdebebas
midscale
Valdebebas, airport corridor3-star airport-area hotel rated around 4.6; free Wi-Fi, outdoor pool, bar and restaurant, with breakfast and parking charged separately. Convenient if you land late at Barajas or leave early. USD band is approximate, confirm the live rate.
Zleep Madrid Airport
midscale
Airport corridor3-star hotel rated around 4.4 with fitness centre, bar and restaurant; breakfast and parking charged separately. Practical for conference teams flying in and out of MAD on tight schedules. USD band is approximate.
B&B Hotel Madrid Getafe
midscale
Getafe, southern Madrid4-star hotel rated around 4.3 with free parking, business centre, free Wi-Fi and air conditioning; breakfast chargeable. Best suited to delegates arriving by car from the south. USD band is approximate.
B&B Hotel Madrid Vallecas La Gavia
budget
Vallecas / La Gavia, eastern Madrid3-star hotel rated around 4.5 with breakfast charged separately; a lower-cost base on the eastern side of Madrid with metro access into the centre. USD band is approximate.
Livensa Studios Madrid Alcobendas
midscale
Alcobendas, northern MadridStudio-style accommodation north of the city, rated around 4.3 in the Google Hotels listing; useful for longer stays or teams wanting kitchen facilities. USD band is approximate, confirm availability for the 30 Nov - 3 Dec window.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
metro
Estimated costApprox. EUR 2-5 per single metro journey on a Multi Card; confirm current zone fares
Best forCentral Madrid (Gran Via, Atocha, Nuevos Ministerios) to the venue district
Madrid Metro tickets load onto the rechargeable Multi Card bought from station machines. Journeys from the centre to exhibition districts usually need one interchange, and Line 8 links Barajas airport to Nuevos Ministerios with an airport supplement.
train
Estimated costEUR 10-22 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forAdolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) and suburban towns via Cercanias
Cercanias commuter trains connect Terminal 4 at Barajas with Chamartin, Nuevos Ministerios, Sol and Atocha, and are the cheapest rail option for hotel-to-venue days. Trains run frequently but are busiest in the weekday morning peak.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. EUR 30-35 fixed airport fare into central Madrid; metered or app fares of EUR 10-25 for city trips; confirm posted rates
Best forAdolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD) to Madrid
Madrid applies a fixed taxi fare for journeys starting at the airport into the city centre, with surcharges for luggage or certain destinations. Official taxis are white with a red diagonal stripe and green light.
shuttle
Estimated costApprox. EUR 15-30 by taxi or ride-hailing for short airport-corridor hops; hotel shuttles where offered, confirm locally
Best forAirport-corridor hotels (Valdebebas, Barajas) to the venue
Hotels such as ibis Styles Madrid Airport Valdebebas and Zleep Madrid Airport sit closest to Barajas. Check whether your hotel runs a shuttle and whether it covers the venue, otherwise budget a short taxi or metro ride.
Plan your trip
Visa & entry documents
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Visa not required
ATA Carnet: check with organiser
Weather
Late November in Madrid is late autumn: daytime highs typically 13-18 C, night-time lows around 4-8 C, with a real chance of rain spells and gusty days. The capture-date AccuWeather snapshot recorded 19 C with an incoming shower band, which illustrates how quickly conditions can shift across a three-day conference. Pack layers and a waterproof shell, and confirm the forecast in the week before travel. Bands are climatological guidance, not a forecast for the exact show dates.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Spanish mobile networks (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, Yoigo and MVNOs) give good 4G/5G coverage in Madrid, and EU roaming rules let visitors on EU tariffs use their home allowance. Non-EU delegates should check roaming charges or buy a prepaid SIM or eSIM at the airport or a city phone shop. Badge QR codes, the conference app and live translation of technical slides all depend on data, so keep an offline copy of your agenda. Hotel Wi-Fi in the captured Madrid properties is listed as free or included; venue Wi-Fi at conference centres is often shared and slow during session breaks, so do not rely on it for large file transfers.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business language and greetings
Spanish is the working language of most Madrid businesses, but ERTC is an international conference where English dominates the technical sessions and stands. A handshake and a formal address (Senor/Senora plus surname) work well in first meetings; exchanging business cards is still common in engineering firms.
Daily rhythm and dining
Madrid eats late: lunch typically from 14:00 and dinner from 21:00, with many restaurants closed between services. Coffee breaks are short and standing. If you are booking dinner meetings with Spanish counterparts, a 21:00 table is normal, and a menu del dia at lunch is the practical option between conference sessions.
Tipping and payments
Tipping is modest: rounding up or leaving 5-10 percent in restaurants is appreciated but not obligatory, and taxi tips are usually small change. Cards are widely accepted in Madrid hotels and restaurants, though small bars and taxis may prefer cash, so keep some euros on hand.
Punctuality and scheduling
Business meetings start on time and conference sessions run to schedule, but social conversation before the agenda item is expected. Build buffer into taxi transfers, since Madrid traffic around the M-30 ring road can be heavy in the morning and late afternoon.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: MAD
Plan round trips around a 29 or 30 November 2026 arrival and a 3 or 4 December return, matching the ERTC Madrid window. Google Flights captures for 30 November departures showed London LHR at roughly EUR 116 round trip on adjacent dates, New York JFK around EUR 449, and Dubai DXB around EUR 346 via Munich, Jeddah or Zurich; prices were flagged as high, so book early rather than waiting. Register with the organiser before ticketing if you need an invitation letter for visa or corporate travel approval, and cross-check the cheapest nearby-date fares rather than fixing rigidly on the exact show days.
Visa
Spain is in the Schengen area; non-EU business visitors who are visa nationals need a Schengen short-stay visa before travelling to a Madrid exhibition, while visa-exempt nationals can enter for short business visits.
Processing: The captured Schengen application guide describes a nine-step process from visa-need check to passport collection; allow several weeks for appointment scheduling plus processing.
The captured guide lists the steps as: check whether a visa is needed, identify the visa type, choose where to submit, complete the form, book an appointment, prepare documents, attend the interview, wait for processing and collect the passport. Carry an organiser invitation letter and hotel confirmation for the interview.
OfficialTransport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas (MAD). Allow road or rail time to Madrid; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Madrid: Gran Via, central Madrid: Room Gran Via; Valdebebas, airport corridor: ibis Styles Madrid Airport Valdebebas; Airport corridor: Zleep Madrid Airport.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing is well established in Madrid: Uber, Bolt, Cabify and FreeNow operate in the city, with designated pick-up points at Barajas terminals and app-based payment. Journeys from the airport into central Madrid typically cost more than the fixed taxi fare, especially at surge times, and the fixed airport taxi rate is often the better deal. For short hops between hotels and the venue, apps are convenient; for the return leg to Barajas during the morning peak, allow extra time and pre-book. Confirm the current app coverage and any airport pick-up rules in the app before you land.
Public transit: Madrid's metro and Cercanias commuter rail network is the workhorse for conference travel. Buy a rechargeable Multi Card from a station machine (a small card deposit applies) and load single or 10-trip tickets; airport journeys on Metro Line 8 carry a supplement, and Cercanias C1 connects Terminal 4 with Chamartin, Nuevos Ministerios, Sol and Atocha. Trains run from roughly early morning to after midnight, with the busiest period on weekday mornings between 07:30 and 09:30. Validate on entry, keep your ticket until you exit, and allow 20-40 minutes for typical hotel-to-venue journeys. Fares change - confirm current prices at the machine or on the CRTM site.
Parking: Madrid's exhibition venues and larger hotels generally provide on-site or adjacent parking, usually charged per day and often with limited capacity during big events. If you drive, pre-book a space where possible, note the height restrictions on underground car parks for vans carrying exhibition material, and check whether your hotel rate includes parking (some suburban properties such as B&B Hotel Madrid Getafe advertise free parking). Central Madrid adds low-emission zone restrictions for some vehicles, so confirm your car's compliance before driving into the centre. Daily rates and hall access rules should be verified with the venue or organiser.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November 2026 (late autumn in Madrid)
Temperature: Daytime highs typically 13-18 C, night-time lows around 4-8 C; a mild 19 C day was recorded in the capture snapshot, so pack for variability
Seasonality: Late autumn is one of Madrid's wetter periods, with rain spells arriving quickly and often clearing just as fast. The capture-date AccuWeather snapshot showed 19 C with an incoming shower band. Expect at least one wet day across a three-day conference stay and plan indoor alternatives for evening plans.
Packing: Bring a light waterproof shell or compact umbrella, a warm mid-layer for cool evenings and air-conditioned session rooms, and comfortable shoes for long days on concrete exhibition floors and metro stairs. Business casual with a jacket works for both the conference and Madrid restaurants; add a small day bag for brochures and a power bank for the conference app.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at ERTC 2026 usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
D-14: Confirm your ERTC delegate registration and, once organiser credentials arrive, download the conference app and mark the refining technology sessions you want to attend.
T-2
D-12: Book flights into Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas (MAD) arriving 29 or 30 November and returning after the closing session, so visa and travel approvals are not left to the last minute.
T-3
D-10: Reserve a hotel either in central Madrid (Gran Via, Atocha) or in the Barajas and Valdebebas airport corridor; confirm the cancellation policy before paying.
T-4
D-8: If you hold a visa-national passport, book the Schengen appointment and complete the document checklist; carry an organiser invitation letter if one is issued.
T-5
D-6: Load a Madrid Multi Card transit plan, check Cercanias timetables from the airport, and note the metro route to the venue district for the first morning.
T-6
D-5: Pre-book short technical meetings with licensors, catalyst suppliers and EPC contractors you want to see, since senior process specialists are only on the stand for part of the show.
T-7
D-4: Pack a waterproof outer layer, warm mid-layer and comfortable shoes for cool, changeable late-November Madrid weather and long hours on concrete exhibition floors.
T-8
D-3: Prepare one-page summaries of your refinery or plant problems (unit, feed, constraints, budget stage) so stand conversations move past generic brochures.
T-9
D-2: Print hotel confirmation, insurance, visa copy and badge QR code; download offline maps for the metro and Cercanias routes you will use.
T-10
D-1: Check in online, re-confirm first-day session timings on the ERTC programme page, and set an early alarm to allow for security screening at the venue.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Madrid
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2ERTC 2026 registration concourse
Madrid
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Madrid
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights€190.00
- Per diem × 2€150.00
Estimated total€340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether ERTC 2026 fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
Where and when does this refining and petrochemical conference take place?
The edition runs in Madrid, Spain, with the hotel search window captured around 30 November to 3 December 2026. Check the organiser site for exact session dates, venue address and registration cut-offs.
Which airport do I fly into for Madrid?
Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas (IATA: MAD) is the city's main gateway; Google Flights captures show direct and one-stop connections from London, New York, Dubai and Tokyo.
Do I need a Schengen visa to attend a conference in Madrid?
Visa-national attendees need a Schengen short-stay visa; the captured application guide sets out nine steps from the visa-need check through passport collection, so apply several weeks before travel.
Where should I stay for a conference in Madrid in late November?
Google Hotels captures show options in central Madrid (Room Gran Vía), the airport corridor (ibis Styles Madrid Airport Valdebebas, Zleep Madrid Airport), Alcobendas and southern suburbs such as Getafe, so choose based on transfer time to your venue.
How do I get from the airport to central Madrid?
Use Madrid Metro, the Cercanías commuter rail from Barajas, or the official flat-rate airport taxi; Cercanías is the lowest-cost rail option for airport-hotel transfers.
What is the November weather like in Madrid?
Late autumn in Madrid is cool and occasionally wet: expect highs around 15-20 C and cool nights, with occasional rain spells that make a light waterproof layer useful.
Glossary
- Hydrotreating
- A refinery process that reacts a petroleum fraction with hydrogen over a catalyst to remove sulphur, nitrogen, oxygen and metals. At ERTC it is central to discussions on ultra-low-sulphur fuels and diesel or jet quality upgrades.
- Hydrocracking
- A high-pressure hydrogen-addition conversion process that turns heavier gas oils and residue into naphtha, jet and diesel. Debates at the conference typically cover catalyst cycle length, hydrogen consumption and revamp economics.
- Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC)
- A conversion unit that cracks heavy gas oil over a circulating zeolite catalyst to make gasoline blending components and light olefins. FCC additives and propylene-maximising designs are recurring exhibition themes.
- Petrochemical integration
- Refinery configurations that route naphtha, LPG and aromatics into steam crackers or aromatics complexes so a site serves fuel and chemical markets. It is a core answer to weakening transport fuel demand in Europe.
- Licensor
- The technology owner that licenses a process unit, supplies the basic engineering design package and guarantees performance. Licensors are a key exhibitor group at ERTC because refiners compare designs before a revamp or grassroots decision.
- Turnaround (TAR)
- A planned shutdown in which a refinery unit is inspected, cleaned, repaired and modified. Catalyst reloads, corrosion inspection and critical-path scheduling for turnarounds are recurring ERTC conversation topics.
- CCUS
- Carbon capture, utilisation and storage, the cluster of technologies for capturing CO2 from process and flue gas streams, transporting it and storing or using it. Refiners assess post-combustion capture on hydrogen plants, FCC and fired heaters.
- EPC contractor
- Engineering, procurement and construction firm that executes refinery projects and revamps. EPC attendees at ERTC meet licensors and equipment suppliers to align scope, schedule and guarantee interfaces.
- Cercanias
- Spain's commuter rail network. In Madrid it links Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas airport, Atocha and Chamartin with the suburbs, making it the usual low-cost rail option between hotels and the venue district.
- Multi Card
- The rechargeable contactless card used to load Madrid Metro and bus tickets at station machines; visitors typically buy one on arrival and top it up for the length of their stay.
- Schengen short-stay visa
- The visa that lets visa-national business visitors enter Spain and the wider Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; ERTC delegates should apply well before the 30 November 2026 start.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- ERTC 2026
- ERTC 2026 Madrid
- Conference
- Conference Madrid
- Madrid tech expo 2026
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.