Europe’s role at Gastech 2023, between commercial ambition and transition pressures

With less than a month to go before Gastech 2023 opens at Singapore EXPO, organisers portray the event as a pivotal forum for natural gas, LNG, hydrogen and climate technologies. Christopher Hudson, President of dmg events, which runs Gastech alongside over 30 energy events worldwide, outlines a show that blends commercial deal-making with transition narratives, framed against major disruptions in global energy markets.

The European delegation will be visible through a dedicated European Pavilion, presented as the centrepiece of the EU’s public and private sector participation. Organisers promise high density networking across 750 exhibitors and more than 40,000 energy professionals, while drawing attention to Asia’s critical role in shaping the energy transition.

What Gastech 2023 promises

Gastech 2023 is positioned to affirm the role of natural gas, LNG, hydrogen and climate technologies in the evolving energy system and to set a positive tone for the sector before COP28. The organisers emphasise a peer reviewed strategic conference programme that aims to improve attendees’ understanding of market dynamics and pathways to a cleaner, more affordable and more secure energy future.

Over four days, more than 600 strategic speakers are expected, spanning policymakers, innovators and c-suite leaders. Named speakers include Lorenzo Simonelli of Baker Hughes, Peter Clarke of ExxonMobil International Limited, Joseph McMonigle of the International Energy Forum and Wu Junli of PetroChina International. The exhibition will feature dedicated zones for climatetech, hydrogen and shipping and marine, described as strong candidates for any attendee’s short list.

Beyond content, the pitch is about scale and access. With 750 exhibitors and tens of thousands of professionals onsite, dmg events underscores the event’s role in catalysing cross-border, cross-industry partnerships. That ambition will be tested by the complexity of aligning divergent commercial incentives, regulatory environments and climate targets.

The European Pavilion and its narrative

Hudson links Europe’s presence to Asia’s market dynamics. Europe’s shifting energy needs since 2022 have tightened global LNG markets and intensified procurement competition, impacts that have been acutely felt across Asia. Against that backdrop, the European Pavilion is described as the hub for EU participation, showcasing innovation across gas, LNG, hydrogen and climate technologies, and the wider value chain. The pavilion aims to facilitate EU Asian exchanges of lessons learned, boost bilateral trade and address obstacles that have historically hindered cross-border energy investment.

Sixteen international country pavilions will be present across the show. Organisers frame these as catalysts for international collaboration and knowledge sharing, with a view to achieving consensus on the future of the global energy sector. Consensus in this space is elusive. LNG buyers and sellers are negotiating long-term contracts while climate policies accelerate, and technology choices from hydrogen to carbon capture remain contested on cost and scalability.

How the organisers see value for European innovators

dmg events casts Gastech as a convenor for rethinking energy business models that incorporate low-carbon solutions and open new markets in Asia and globally. The platform is meant to demonstrate how supportive policies can foster strategic partnerships, stimulate demand and enable infrastructure build-out. The pitch to European innovators is clear. If policy frameworks align, they can help shape Asia’s path toward sustainability while capturing growth.

This logic aligns with EU innovation policy, which often couples technology support with internationalisation pushes. The outcomes hinge on contract wins, pilot deployments and regulatory compatibility, which are not guaranteed at trade fairs. Post-event follow-up and local partnerships in Asia are usually decisive.

Practical guidance for entrepreneurs on site

Organisers flag enhanced features for startups. A dedicated start-up zone is intended to seed new partnerships, and a hosted buyer programme promises curated meetings. Hydrogen receives expanded attention through a dedicated zone and theatre that champion hydrogen as a low-carbon option. Entrepreneurs are encouraged to prioritise face-to-face engagement with industry leaders, innovators and policymakers to build networks and surface opportunities.

Event details and scale

Gastech 2023 takes place 5 to 8 September at Singapore EXPO. The organisers highlight the show’s 50 year history and Singapore’s status as a global energy hub with the world’s third largest refining centre. They anticipate over 300 Ministers, CEOs and global business leaders, 4,000 delegates, 750 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees from more than 100 countries.

The European Pavilion is located at Singapore EXPO, Hall 6, Booth E310. The EIC Overseas Trade Fairs Programme 2.0 provides additional information and lists the official delegation of European SMEs.

Who is exhibiting under the EIC banner

Ahead of the show, the European Innovation Council ran a virtual preparatory workshop for its Gastech delegation under the EIC Overseas Trade Fairs Programme 2.0. The session briefed companies on networking and partnering opportunities, EU Singapore relations and practicalities such as intellectual property.

Contributors included Harry Kweku Harrison-Sumter, Senior Commercial Manager at Gastech, Jean Pierre De Meerleer Sánchez, Trade Policy Officer at the EU Delegation to Singapore, and Ian Lee, Country Head at Singapore Business Federation. Dr Karl Rackette from the SEA IP SME Helpdesk provided IP consultations. Paulo Guedes, Chief Growth Officer at Omniflow and a previous OTF participant, shared preparation tips. EIC Programme Manager Francesco Matteucci advised on maximising trade fair value and highlighted current energy trends.

Opportunities and friction points to watch

The show’s emphasis on natural gas and LNG as pillars of a secure transition appeals to many buyers focused on affordability and reliability. Yet the climate case for gas depends on tight methane controls and credible plans for peak demand. LNG procurement has also tightened Asian markets since 2022 as Europe diversified supply, creating visible competition among buyers. That competitive reality may temper talk of consensus.

Hydrogen gets prominent billing, but economics and infrastructure remain decisive. Green hydrogen hinges on cheap, abundant renewable power and grid build-out, while blue hydrogen depends on high capture rates and robust storage. Carbon capture and storage features in the pavilion storyline, though scaling secure storage and addressing cost and liability are still works in progress.

Singapore context and EU engagement

Singapore’s position as an energy trading and refining hub gives it leverage across LNG, petrochemicals and emerging low-carbon fuels. For EU firms, Singapore is often a gateway to Southeast Asia. EU Singapore relations are supported by trade and investment frameworks, and public agencies on both sides regularly facilitate corporate matchmaking and regulatory dialogues. For SMEs, understanding local procurement norms, IP enforcement and partnership structures is as important as technology differentiation.

Looking ahead

Gastech’s organisers continue to scale the brand in Asia. A later edition is scheduled in Bangkok from 14 to 17 September 2026, with marketing materials citing 50,000 attendees, 1,000 exhibitors and more than 1,000 speakers. These figures illustrate ambitions rather than guaranteed outcomes, but they signal that Asia will remain central to the event’s strategy and to European companies seeking market traction in the region.

Bottom line

Gastech 2023 offers European innovators visibility in an influential Asian venue and access to high level networks. The European Pavilion provides a focal point for EU companies and policy voices to promote decarbonisation technologies, from carbon capture to AI enabled efficiency. The show’s scale is an asset for lead generation but does not substitute for project economics, regulatory fit and aftercare. Promises of consensus and collaboration will be tested by contract realities, timelines to net zero and the unresolved economics of several hyped technologies. The value for EU participants will be measured by post event deals, pilots and partnerships that withstand the next commodity cycle rather than by footfall and stage time.

Note. The information in this article is provided for knowledge sharing and does not represent the official view of the European Commission or any other organisation.