The Future Sustainable Chemical and Materials Industry will be Based Entirely on Biomass, CO₂ and Recycling
Register now for the leading event in the Renewable Carbon Economy: The “Renewable Materials Conference 2025”, 22 to 24 September 2025, Siegburg near Bonn/Cologne (Germany) and online
The Renewable Materials Conference (RMC), organised by the nova-Institute, will present leading solutions and innovations for replacing fossil carbon with biomass, CO₂ utilisation and recycling. The growing success of RMC demonstrates that its unique concept of presenting all solutions for renewable materials at a single event is proving successful. In just a few years, the conference has established itself as the global meeting place for the renewable carbon economy. During the conference, the winner of the innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year 2025” will be elected by the audience.
The Renewable Materials Conference 2025 covers the entire value chain from alternative carbon feedstocks, the chemical industry, the materials sector, product manufacturers to brand owners, as well as investors and policy makers. The last conference in June 2024 attracted nearly 500 participants from 32 countries, 90 % of them from the industrial sector. This year more than 500 participants are expected to attend 75 presentations, 20 panel discussions and up to 12 workshops. Not yet convinced? Watch the RMC video.
“Defossilization is the future of the EU Chemical Industry”
Reinier Grimbergen Bluecircle-Olefins (NL)
“The Renewable Materials Conference from nova-Institute is a must-attend event, uniting top minds to showcase the future of sustainable development and the latest advancements in renewable materials.”
Stephan RoestBorealis (AT)
“If you want listen, see and talk to the thought leaders and innovators in renewable materials, this conference is for you.”
Martin ClemeshaBraskem (NL)
“Joining the Renewable Carbon Initiative is a commitment to practical solutions—driving the shift from fossil to renewable carbon through innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact.”
Afsaneh NabifarBASF (DE)
“The Renewable materials conference is an excellent opportunity to discuss topics for a circular economy from an overarching perspective to tangible case studies.”
Andreas KünkelBASF (DE)
“Where information on renewables starts shaping markets.”
Ortwin ErtlAnnikki (AT)
“A great chance to meet fellow innovators creating sustainable, bio-based solutions that are good for performance—and the planet.”
Karin van der Helm-RademakerCargill (NL)
“Advancing the chemical industry’s transition in Europe requires knowledge and a common vision – this conference offers one valuable piece of the broader puzzle.”
Leif RohrbachCarbon Minds (DE)
“The RMC is bringing together a tremendous number of experts sharing progressive concepts for a more sustainable future and therefore it is a great forum for Celanese to present our solutions around CCU technology.”
Frank PolzerCelanese (DE)
“The conference offers a unique opportunity to share the latest developments and expertise in the field of renewable materials and to connect the stakeholders.”
Dirk HölterCerdia (CH)
“Our commitment to renewable materials like lactate esters and lactide is not just about creating sustainable solutions; it’s about changing chemistry for a greener tomorrow.”
Joris VermuntCorbion (NL)
“The Renewable Materials Conference is an important platform to celebrate, collaborate and exchange knowledge within the renewable materials sector.”
Amy GoddardCRODA (UK)
“As CropEnergies, we are committed to sustainable carbon. The Renewable Materials Conference brings together leading minds from industry, politics, and research to advance this topic. I look forward to being part of this exchange.”
Miriam FreudenbergerCropEnergies (DE)
“Indispensable event to meet, learn, and discuss with various stakeholders of the renewable carbon value chain and the latest developments in R&D, industries and policies.”
Tim BörnerEmpa (CH)
“Defossilizing the chemical industry is no longer optional: It’s the key to EU environmental survival and industrial sovereignty.”
Geoffroy DelvinquierFuterro (BE)
“It is a real pleasure to be on stage and share Fibenol’s progress at the RCM Conference, exactly nine years after my first visit. That moment marked the beginning of my journey with this strong community of believers, and it continues to feel just as inspiring today.”
Peep PitkFibenol (EE)
“The RMC is the world’s leading conference dealing with the transformation from fossil to renewable carbon in the materials industry.”
Adrian BrandtHenkel (DE)
“To truly reduce microplastic pollution, we must align innovative compostable and biodegradable materials with smart policy, starting where they add real value.”
Katrin SchwedeINAK (DE)
“Join us to discover how waste becomes opportunity in the future of sustainable innovation.”
“I’m looking forward to the event, the who is who of the plastics industry will present the latest status of defossilisation and bio (attributed) polymers.”
Frank EisenträgerINEOS (CH)
“Bioplastics from renewable materials are a key part of the solution to reducing Europe’s carbon footprint and building a more sustainable future.”
Julia Resch Institut für Kunststofftechnik Stuttgart (DE)
“I’m excited to share what Johnson Matthey can do to help the materials industry meet its sustainability goals.”
Andrew RichardsonJohnson Matthew (UK)
Fredrik Malmfors, Lignin Industries (SE): “There is an urgent need to include bio-based materials in EU legislation (like PPWR) as circular and to allow for bio-based materials in open recycling streams.”
Fredrik MalmforsLignin Industries (SE)
“RMC is a fantastic venue to network and discuss biobased opportunities together with likeminded, motivated people. I’ve been leaving the previous conferences with a lot if inspiring ideas and new contacts!”
Marcus ElmerLixea (SE)
“Renewable Materials Conference provides a broad array of solutions for replacing fossil resources with renewable carbon from the biosphere, technosphere or atmosphere.”
Outi TeräsNeste (FI)
“Since many years we have been attending this conference, a fertile environment for networking.”
Stefano FaccoNovamont (IT)
“From groundbreaking ideas to transformative discussions, the Renewable Materials Conference is where the future of sustainable materials takes shape.”
Lee WalkoOmni Tech (US)
“Decarbonizing the chemical industry is essential to meet EU regulations, and Pili contributes to this goal by producing ton-scale biobased aromatic intermediates.”
Pauline RuillèrePili (FR)
“I am looking forward to contribute to the Renewable Materials conference by providing more insights onto the 3rd R (recycled carbon) by sharing the latest on feedstock control and our solvent-based purification technologies.”
Gian De BelderProcter & Gamble (BE):
“Defossilization of the chemicals industry is not just an environmental necessity; it’s an economic and strategic imperative. It enables climate action, fosters innovation, supports a circular economy, and future-proofs one of the most crucial sectors of the global economy.”
Ruirui Zong-RüheRoland Berger GmbH (DE)
“Achieving the ambition to de-fossilize polymers in liquid formulations by 2040 demands that the industry develop and scale biodegradable PLFs and advance circular economy infrastructure by 2030.“
Anju Massey-BrookerRoyal Society of Chemistry (UK)
“The Renewable Materials Conference is an ideal forum to present SCS’s new ‘Carbon Assured’ certification program, which will drive decarbonization in the chemicals industry.”
Melanie WilliamsSCS Standards (US)
“Great conference to attend where big companies, start-ups and academia meet to shape together a renewable future.”
Claudia CoelhoTechnip Energies (FR)
“RMC successfully integrates content, networking and fun in the domain of renewable & sustainable materials – looking forward to it!”
Jan Harm UrbanusTNO (NL)
“Undoubtedly the place to be when it comes to renewable carbon.”
Philippe DewolfsTÜV AUSTRIA (BE)
“Biodegradation strategies for plastics, as presented at the Renewable Materials Conference, are an important contribution to reducing pollution and promoting circularity.”
Robert DierkesUniversity Hamburg (DE)
“I’m at this conference because I like working with industry and I want my research to make a difference that will impact positively on society and our environment.”
Steve HowdleUniversity Nottingham (UK)
University of Twente (NL): “I’m looking forward to meeting colleagues that are as passionate as me to defossilize the chemical industry.”
Jean-Paul LangeUniversity of Twente (NL)
“The best conference worldwide to discuss and learn about markets, technology and trends in the renewable and biobased chemicals area is the Renewable Materials Conference. Join us this year if this is of interest to you to make it again an exciting event.”
Andreas KohlVerbio (DE)
“I look forward to learning about new breakthroughs in transforming lignin, biomass and other underutilized carbon waste into tomorrow’s sustainable materials.”
Balaji SridharanVITO (BE)
“At Wageningen University & Research we believe in the power of biobased and biodegradable plastics. Not as a one-size-fits-all solution for every plastic challenge the world faces, but as a major element of a future in which human’s needs are met, while the production and end-of-life usage of plastics wreaks less environmental havoc.”
Maarten van der ZeeWageningen University & Research (NL)
“RMC is a leading professional conference in the industry, boasting years of expertise and a dedicated audience of professionals.”
More than 90 % of the carbon embedded in chemicals and plastics is fossil carbon from the ground, which needs to be replaced with biogenic, captured and recycled carbon. Chemical companies, start-ups and industry associations will present their concepts, strategies and success stories for the future of a sustainable and competitive chemical and plastics industry. Topics include alternative feedstocks, alternative naphtha, electric cracker and non-cracker commodity production via methanol and ethanol, biotechnology and biorefineries and more. This session includes 14 presentations, with five additional talks focusing on lignocellulosic biorefineries and lignin utilisation.
Fine Chemicals
The global fine chemicals market, valued at US$ 180 billion, is experiencing a surge in demand for bio-based solutions. Because fine chemicals are high-value and specialised ingredients for essential products such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products, food additives, etc., their demand remains independent of economic cycles. Advances in biotechnology and biocatalysis are driving the development of high-purity compounds and sustainable processes. Overcoming challenges such as scalability and cost effectiveness is expected to unlock the market potential in this transition. Fine chemicals companies will present their achievements and latest developments in six presentations.
Fossil-free Plastics
95 % of all plastics today are derived from fossil carbon from the ground – globally 4 % are derived from recycling and 1 % from biomass. There is a growing demand for fossil-free plastics in several product groups. Start-ups and established companies will present their polymer and plastic innovations based on biomass, captured CO₂ and recycling. These include packaging, consumer goods, automotive, textiles and high-performance applications. With 22 presentations, the conference will provide brand owners with a unique insight into alternatives to fossil plastics. They will benefit from cross-sectoral discussions and networking. As part of this session, the six selected nominees will compete for the “Renewable Material of the Year 2025” Innovation Award.
Setting the Frame for Renewable Carbon
The main objective of the Green Deal is to move from a linear to a circular economy – reducing the fossil material use and cutting down on waste. The concept of sustainable carbon cycles was introduced by the European Commission in 2022 and is becoming increasingly influential for future regulations and legislation. Which policy and economic framework is needed to support and guide the transition to renewable carbon? Eleven presentations, panel discussions and workshops will tackle this topic.
Biodegradation
Biodegradable plastics are a complex and controversial issue. The key question is no longer whether biodegradable plastics are a good solution, but in which applications biodegradability makes sense. This is already reflected in the new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which will make biodegradability mandatory for the first applications. In eleven presentations and an accompanying workshop, start-ups, companies and scientists will provide in-depth information on perception, scientific and political developments relevance and impact, applications, benefits and risks.
