03.06.2026
Renewable Materials Conference: Fossil-free Plastics - the Multiple Options
The Global Networking Point of the Renewable Carbon Economy will take place in Siegburg near Cologne, Germany, 22 to 24 September
++ Already 120 participants from 16 countries registered – 400-500 participants expected ++ Register now – 10% Early Bird ++ Final Program ++ Book your Booth now! ++ Workshop Overview ++
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The Renewable Materials Conference (RMC) will once again be the outstanding international meeting place for innovators, companies and brands, investors and policymakers to come together to develop and shape the future renewable carbon economy. As in previous years, the conference organiser nova-Institute expects 400-500 participants from around the world. The RMC is the leading global event of the renewable carbon economy, showcasing the latest progress in and prospects of bioeconomy, CCU and recycling for the defossilisation of chemicals and materials. Accordingly, this year’s focus topic is “Defossilisation through innovation”. |
Fossil-free Plastics: The Multiple Options
The second day of the conference (23 September) is entirely devoted to exploring the various alternatives to fossil plastics. This is of particular interest to brands, consumers and NGOs looking for plastics that are not derived from fossil feedstock such as crude oil, natural gas and coal.
The 22 presentations provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the available alternatives from biomass, CO₂ and recycling, which could easily be scaled up to meet future bio-based quotas.
Bio-based Polymers
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Adhesives & Binders
- Michael Wilhelm, Henkel (DE): Fuelled by Data, Driven by Markets – Henkel Adhesive Technologies’ Renewable Carbon Pathway
- Sanjay Wahal, Decarbonization (US): Mycelium-Based Binders and Packaging Materials: High-Performance, Circular Alternatives for Hygiene and Spill-Control Applications
CO₂-based Polymers
- Nick Smith, Viridi (UK): New CO₂-to-Polymers Catalysts Made for the Industry We Have Today
- Sergio Santos, TECNALIA Research & Innovation (ES): Plastics Sustainability: Synthesis of CO₂- and Bio-based Polycarbonates and Polyurethanes
Bio-based Coating
- Thomas Lueder, Beckers Group (DE): How to Create a Pull for Renewable Coatings in the Construction Industry?
- Tim Kidd, Stahl (NL): Beyond the Surface: How Coatings Can Enable the Transition to Renewable Carbon
- Sarvesh Poddar, Sustanix Materialtech (NL): 100% Solid Bio-Coating System to Replace Water/Solvent Based PFAS & Acrylate Systems
Recycled Polymers & Plastics
- Delphine Largeteau, Schneider Electric (FR): Open, Software-defined Automation as a Catalyst for the Sustainable Carbon Industry
- Oliver Borek, Entzimatiko (ES): Converting Polyolefins into Monomeric Building Blocks Using Enzymatic Machinery
- Andreas Sommerfeldt, Danish Technological Institute (DK): From RePURpose to PURfection: Danish Innovation Towards a Fully Circular Economy for Polyurethane
- Ulphard Thoden van Velzen, Wageningen University & Research (NL): Mechanical Recycling of PLA Based Food Packaging
Additional presentations on renewable polymers are included in the Innovation Award Session (second day), several workshops (all days), and the 11 presentations on 'Biodegradation' on the third day.
Please find the full program here.
Exhibition and Poster Session
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The Renewable Materials Conference has two exhibition levels. The now expanded exhibition has a total of 41 booths. As of today, 21 booths are already booked, while three are reserved for additional sponsors. Seventeen booths are still available for booking. Networking opportunities at the conference are guaranteed thanks to the exhibition's position vis-à-vis the conference halls (E0 level) and in between the conference and workshop levels (E1 level). There are also long breaks, as well as lunch and coffee buffets in or next to the exhibition areas. Your booths cannot be overlooked by the 400 to 500 participants! Hurry up to book your booth and become part of the innovation framework, presenting your solution to leading chemical suppliers, international brands, and investors. Secure your spot now, before the exhibition is fully booked. |
Latest list of companies that have already booked a booth:
- Algenesis Corporations (US)
- Bio-based Industries Consortium (Brussels)
- BPC Instruments (SE)
- CO2 Value Europe (Brussels)
- Covestro (DE)
- European Bioplastics (Brussels)
- GS Biomats (CN)
- Innovation Award “Renewable Material of the Year 2026”
- Jiangsu Celluranics New Materials (CN)
- LEAF BIOTECH (CN)
- nova-Institut GmbH (DE)
- Peterson Solutions (NL)
- Renewable Carbon Initiative (EU)
- TUV AUSTRIA Belgium (BE)
- UPM (FI) (two booths)
- Verbio (DE)
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland (FI)
Call for Posters
If you do not will present or book a workshop or booth at the conference, another great option is to submit a poster for the poster session. In addition to the session itself, all posters will be published on the conference website. Please submit your poster here!
10% Early Bird Discount until 16 August!
