This 12th biennial meeting in the prestigious series of International Symposia on Preparative and Industrial Chromatography and Allied Techniques provides an ideal forum for the presentation of the latest development in preparative separation science and a platform for exchange of ideas between academia and industry. Besides the congress, which is being held in the Auditorium Max of ETH, an exhibition, poster sessions and Workshops will take place. They are meant to enhance communication, and to help bringing together the different events and activities.