Previewing the Chemometrics in Analytical Chemistry (CAC-2026) International Conference

The Chemometrics in Analytical Chemistry (CAC 2026) international conference will be held in Tarragona, Spain, from June 29 to July 3, 2026.¹ This 20th-anniversary event features a scientific program comprising keynote lectures, poster sessions, and specialized preliminary courses covering topics like machine learning and handheld spectroscopy. The gathering highlights professional excellence through various honors, including a Lifetime Achievement Award and specific prizes for young scientists and outstanding presentations.² A diverse group of invited speakers from global academic institutions will share expertise on multivariate data analysis and chemical fingerprinting.³ Attendees will also enjoy a social program integrated with the city’s Roman heritage sites and modern congress facilities.^1–4

In the below Q&A, we preview CAC 2026 and what attendees can expect in Spain.

What is the Chemometrics in Analytical Chemistry (CAC 2026) conference?

The 20th edition of the Chemometrics in Analytical Chemistry (CAC-2026) is an international conference dedicated to bringing together the global chemometrics community. This anniversary edition continues a long-standing tradition of fostering collaborations, exchanging knowledge, and showcasing the latest advancements in data-driven approaches for the analytical sciences.¹ The event is chaired by Anna de Juan and Ricard Boqué and will feature keynote lectures, oral communications, and poster sessions.¹

When and where will the conference be held?

The conference is scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 3, 2026, in the Mediterranean city of Tarragona, Catalonia (Spain). The primary venue will be the Tarragona Congress Palace, a state-of-the-art facility located in the heart of the city.¹

How is the scientific program structured?

A notable feature of CAC 2026 is that no parallel sessions are planned. This structure is designed to ensure that all participants can engage in the full breadth of scientific discussions without having to choose between competing topics.¹ The program includes invited lectures from world-leading experts alongside contributed oral and poster presentations.¹

Are there educational opportunities for attendees prior to the main event?

Yes, the conference offers four specialized Preliminary Courses on Monday, June 29, before the official Opening Ceremony. These are organized into two morning and two afternoon sessions, allowing participants to attend up to two courses. The available courses include:

• Open-source chemometrics for real-world NIR handheld spectroscopy, focusing on workflows for handheld devices.⁴
• Multivariate Curve Resolution (MCR), covering basic concepts and applications to massive mass spectrometry (MS) data.⁴
• An introduction to ASCA, which focuses on ANOVA-Simultaneous Component Analysis for experimental design.⁴
• Non-linear Machine Learning for Calibration and Classification, providing a practical introduction to advanced validation and performance assessment.⁴

Who are some of the invited speakers participating in the event?

The conference has secured a diverse range of international experts, including:

• Roberto Todeschini, a founding figure in the Milano Chemometrics and QSAR Research Group with over 250 publications.³
• Marina Cocchi, an expert in multi-way methods and food authenticity.³
• Age K. Smilde, an emeritus professor specializing in biosystems data analysis and multi-omics data fusion.³
• Evrim Acar, whose research focuses on tensor factorizations and multimodal data mining.³
• Marena Manley, an established researcher in near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy and hyperspectral imaging.³
• Joaquim Jaumot, who works at the interface of chemometrics and environmental omics.³

What awards will be presented at CAC 2026?

Several prestigious awards will be conferred during the congress:

• Chemometric Lifetime Achievement Award: Sponsored by Elsevier, this recognizes outstanding and sustained contributions to the field and will be presented at the Gala Dinner.²
• 2026 Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems Award: This €2250 prize is awarded to a chemometrician under 40 years of age for significant contributions in the last five years. The nomination deadline is May 15, 2026.²
• Best Oral Presentation and Best Poster Awards: Sponsored by Wiley, these awards include a €150 book voucher and an invitation to submit research to the Journal of Chemometrics or Analysis & Sensing.²
• Best Chromatography-Related Poster Award: Sponsored by Kromath, the prize is a software license for PARADISe.²

What can attendees expect regarding the social program?

Beyond the scientific sessions, the conference offers a rich social program, including a welcome reception at one of Tarragona’s Roman World Heritage monuments. Additionally, there will be guided cultural tours and a Gala Dinner held on Thursday, July 2, providing ample opportunities for networking in a historic Mediterranean setting.^1,2

References

1. Chemometrics in Analytical Chemistry International Conference, Homepage. CAC 2026. Available at: https://congressos.urv.cat/cac-2026/ (accessed 2026-04-30).
2. Chemometrics in Analytical Chemistry International Conference, Chemometric Lifetime Achievement Award. CAC 2026. Available at: https://congressos.urv.cat/cac-2026/awards (accessed 2026-04-30).
3. Chemometrics in Analytical Chemistry International Conference, Invited Speakers. CAC 2026. Available at: https://congressos.urv.cat/cac-2026/invited-speakers (accessed 2026-04-30).
4. Chemometrics in Analytical Chemistry International Conference, Preliminary Courses. CAC 2026. Available at: https://congressos.urv.cat/cac-2026/preliminary-courses (accessed 2026-04-30).