The answer to the hunt for renewable materials: The Renewable Materials Conference! Its unique concept of presenting all renewable material solutions at one event hits the mark: bio-based, CO₂-based and recycled are the only available alternatives to fossil-based chemicals and materials.
The Six Nominees!
Once again this year, the conference’s advisory board had to make a difficult choice in selecting the six most promising materials from the list of many excellent submissions for the “Renewable Materials of the Year 2025” sponsored by Covestro (DE). During the conference, the audience will elect the winner from the following nominees:
Bloom Biorenewables, http://www.bloombiorenewables.com (CH): The First Ever White Lignin
Lignin has been tested in cosmetics for decades due to its advanced anti-UV, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. However, its use has been hampered by its dark colour and odour. Bloom’s selective extraction process can now extract lignin without degradation, preserving it as it is found in a tree. Using breakthrough technology, Bloom can now whiten this ultra-pure lignin while maintaining the integrity of the lignin structure. Bloom’s white lignin could be the key to unlocking the use of lignin as a multifunctional ingredient for sustainable cosmetics. This cosmetic ingredient will be launched in 2026.
Borregaard, http://www.borregaard.com (NO): Innovative Platform Technology Bright for Renewable Lignin-based Biopolymers
Bright is an innovative platform technology that enables the transition from fossil carbon polymers to renewable lignin-based biopolymers. It tailors lignin properties for different applications by precisely adjusting the biopolymer charge and molecular weight. Bright has introduced LignoBrite, the first lignin-based ingredient for home care products such as dishwashing detergents, which replaces persistent polycarboxylates, reduces white deposits and improves shine. The Bright process uses only water, air and energy, without adding fossil inputs to the lignin.
Cyclize, http://www.cyclize.de/en (DE): Mixed Waste and CO₂ as Feedstock to Produce Syngas
Cyclize enables a circular economy of carbon by using mixed waste and CO₂ as feedstock to produce syngas. Syngas is a key building block in the chemical industry and is currently produced primarily from fossil sources. The patented plasma reformer requires only a third of the electrical energy of electrolysis. This advantage makes the production of syngas cost-competitive with fossil syngas. The syngas produced by Cyclize can replace natural gas and thus defossilise the chemical industry without a green premium.
Sci-Lume Labs, http://www.sci-lumelabs.com (US): Bylon — a Scalable, Circular, Biosynthetic Polyamide
Bylon is a scalable, circular, biosynthetic polyamide from protein-rich agricultural waste through a three-step chemical process. First, protein hydrolysis breaks down the waste. Next, novel chemistry at mild temperatures valorises the intermediate into Bylon’s monomer – a reaction with >90 % monomer yield. Finally, ring-opening polymerisation creates the Bylon polymer. Bylon is melt processed with a Tm of ~260˚C and a Tg of ~90˚C. The entire production process uses existing infrastructure, offering the scale and cost advantages of traditional petrochemical plastics with the added benefits of using biogenic carbon and being degradable and recyclable at the end of its life.
Sustanix Materialtech, http://www.sustanix.com (NL): Replacing PFAS & Plastics in Paper Packaging
Stands for proprietary polymers and formulations for 100 % plant-based coatings and additives with excellent hydrophobic and oleophobic properties, and proven industrially recyclable. The new coating technology enables consumer brands and packaging companies to comply with regulations on microplastics, PFAS and packaging waste. It offers a sustainable alternative that is compatible with existing machinery and scalable to over 100 tonnes per month. Replacing PFAS, polyacrylates, microplastics and styrene latex in paper packaging ensures safer food contact and a circular value chain.
Trinseo, http://www.trinseo.com (IT): Next Generation Recycled Content-Containing Acrylic Solutions
The next-generation depolymerisation demonstration plant (June 2024) expands the types of acrylic waste that can be recycled. The plant uses a proprietary thermolysis process to produce recycled methyl methacrylate (rMMA) that is over 99 % pure, making it a comparable substitute for virgin feedstock. The resulting polymeric recycled acrylic solutions have a 47 % reduction in global warming potential compared to the virgin counterpart. Trinseo plans to scale up this technology in the coming years.
Background of the Submission and Evaluation Process
The Renewable Materials Conference announces the “Renewable Material of the Year 2025” innovation award, organised by the nova-Institute and sponsored by Covestro
Producers and inventors of innovative technologies and applications based on biomass, CO₂ or advanced recycling were invited to submit their exceptional innovations by 2 May at the latest.
Once awarded, your ready-to-use, fossil-free, sustainable material solutions with a low carbon footprint will receive high attention by innovative brand owners looking for solutions that will soon reach the mainstream. This is your chance to step into the spotlight!
First stage: 2 May 2025
The submission process (Deadline for submission: 2 May) involves completing an application form and a leaflet, or other additional information (no product samples!) in PDF format about your product in English, including printable digital images (300 dpi) that we can use free of charge in our subsequent media publicity. The documents should detail the unique aspects of the innovation and its market launch date.
If you have any questions, please contact michael.carus@nova-institut.de
Second stage: 12 May 2025
A jury consisting of representatives of the nova-Institute, the advisory board and the conference sponsors will nominate the outstanding “Top 6” applicants in the run-up to the conference.
After the jury has selected the “Top 6” applicants, their application documents will be made available for download on the conference website to give the RMC audience and other interested parties a first insight into these innovations.
If you are one of the six nominees, please bring a sample (no liquids!) of your product/material to the conference to showcase it in the exhibition on the “Top 6” companies, or send it to following postal address:
nova-Institut GmbH, Michael Carus, Leyboldstr. 16, 50354 Hürth, Germany
Important: Bulky goods must be delivered directly to the conference building:
Rhein-Sieg-Forum, Bachstraße 1, 53721 Siegburg, Germany
Third stage: At the conference, 23 September 2025
Each of the six selected companies will present their innovation in a 10-minute presentation on the 2nd day of the conference. Following the presentations, the three winners will be selected by the conference attendees and announced shortly thereafter.
In addition, the “Top 6” will showcase their innovations throughout the conference in a shared exhibition space provided by the nova-Institute. Each “Top 6” candidate will receive a free ticket to the conference and additional tickets at a discounted rate. The nova-Institute will utilise its extensive network of 100,000 companies and hundreds of press contacts to generate market demand for the winners.
Winners of the past innovation awards (PDF):
