Final Program

Day 1, 22 September 2025

09:00 Michael Carus
nova-Institute (DE)
Conference Opening

Defossilisation of the Chemical Industry & Fine Chemicals

09:20 Lars Börger
nova-Institute (DE)
The Future of a Resilient Chemical Industry in a Vulnerable World
09:40 Ruirui Zong-Rühe
Roland Berger (DE)
Heardwind or Tailwind – Defossilization in the Chemicals Industry
Abstract
10:00 Florie Gonsolin
CEFIC (BE)
How can the Chemical Sector Contribute to Sustainable Carbon Cycles
Abstract
10:20 Samir Somaiya
Godavari Biorefineries (IN)
India’s Transition to a Green Economy and the role of Godavari Biorefineries by Regenerative Biomass realising Commercial Scale Advanced Biochemicals (and Social Approach)
10:40 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
11:00 Coffee Break

Parallel Sessions

Grand Hall

Small Hall

Defossilisation of the Chemical Industry – Part I

Fine Chemicals

11:30 Ortwin Ertl
Annikki (AT)
High-Volume Chemicals from Biomass – By Means of a Unique Fractionation Technology and Enzymatic Reactions
Abstract
11:30 Sunil Divekar
Praj Industries (IN)
Technology for Bio-based Cosmetic Ingredients- Bio-IDD and Bio-IHD
Abstract
11:50 Andreas Kohl
Verbio (DE)
Vegetable Oil to Alpha Olefins: A New Direct Value Chain Emerges in the Chemical Industry
Abstract
11:50 Christian Lenges
IFF (US)
Sustainable Solutions that Transform Consumers’ Lives and Experiences: Biotechnology Enabled Material Innovation – Opportunities and Challenges
Abstract
12:10 Reinier Grimbergen
Blue Circle Olefins (NL)
Defossilizing the Chemical Industry by Circular Methanol
Abstract
12:10 Christos Rampotas
Kemira (FI)
Breaking New Ground with Polysaccharides in Sustainable Additives
Abstract
12:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
12:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
12:50 Lunch Break & Networking
12:50 Lunch Break & Networking
14:20 Lee Walko
Omni Tech International (US)
From Farm to Industry: U. S. Soybean Innovations Driving Chemical Defossilisation
Abstract
14:20 Adrian Brandt
Henkel (DE)
Latest Renewable Carbon Developments at Henkel Adhesive Technologies
Abstract
14:40 Doris De Guzman
Green D Market Analytics (US)
Renewable Chemicals Market Update – Navigating Shifting Global Dynamics
Abstract
14:40 Frank Polzer
Celanese (US)
Carbon Capture and Utilisation at Celanese: Turning CO2 Emissions Into Essential Chemicals and Plastics
Abstract

Defossilisation of the Chemical Industry – Part II

Lignocellulosic Biorefineries and Lignin Utilisation

15:00 Virginie Roux
Michelin Engineered Polymers (FR)
5-HMF: When a Sleeping Giant Wakes up
Abstract
15:00 Balaji Sridharan
VITO (BE)
Scaling Up Reductive Lignin Depolymerization: A Sustainable Pathway towards Biomaterials and Green Chemicals
Abstract
15:20 Pauline Rullière
Pili (FR)
Bio-based Aromatic Intermediates: Pioneering Sustainability to Decarbonise the Industry
Abstract
15:20 Viktor Odenbrink
Södra Skogsägarna ek. Förening (SE)
Södra Becomes the World’s Largest Kraft Lignin Producer – How?
Abstract
15:40 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
15:40 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
16:00 Coffee Break
16:00 Coffee Break
16:30 Jean-Paul Lange
University of Twente (NL)
Recycling Cascade for Plastics Waste
Abstract
16:30 Fredrik Malmfors
Lignin Industries AB (SE)
Scalable, Processable, Renewable, Recyclable and Cost Effective – Lignin-based Plastic Ticks all of the Boxes
Abstract
16:50 Outi Teräs
Neste (FI)
The Future of Plastics is REnewable and REcycled
Abstract
16:50 Peep Pitk
Fibenol (EE)
Pioneering the Future of Biomaterials: Fibenol’s Journey from Innovation to Industrial Scale
Abstract
17:10 Marleen Ramakers & Uros Kresovic
Indaver Plastics2Chemicals (BE)
Indaver P2C: Closing the Loop with Cutting-Edge Advanced Recycling
Abstract
17:10 Marcus Elmer
Lixea Sweden (SE)
High Quality Lignin from Waste Biomass – A Crucial Carbon Source for the Future
Abstract
17:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
17:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session

Grand Hall – Future of the Chemical Industry in Europe: Defossilised and Competetive, how can this work?

Chairperson(s)
Christopher vom Berg & Michael Carus
nova-Institute (DE)
18:00 tba

20:00 Gala Dinner

Day 2, 23 September 2025

Fossil-free Plastics

09:00 tba
nova-Institute (DE)
Day Opening

Parallel-Sessions

Grand Hall

Small Hall

Markets and Applications, Bio-based Polymers – Part I

Sustainable Polymers

09:10 Pia Skoczinski & Pauline Ruiz
nova-Institute (DE)
Renewable Polymers from Biomass, CO2 and Recycling – Status and Outlook
09:10 Alexander Hofmann
Fraunhofer Institut UMSICHT (DE)
InnoKuR – A Path to Climate-friendly Plastics by Replacing Fossil Raw Materials
Abstract
09:30 Julia Resch
IKT University Stuttgart (DE)
Bio-based Plastics in Technical and Long-Term Applications
Abstract
09:30 Jan Harm Urbanus
TNO (NL)
This is How Polymer Informatics Can Help in Designing Novel Safe-and-Sustainable Polymers
Abstract
09:50 Ed de Jong
Avantium (NL)
PEF, a Next Generation Packaging Material
Abstract
09:50 Claudia Coelho
Technip Energies (FR)
The Path to Sustainable and Affordable Plastics
Abstract
10:10 Susan Zhu
Zhongke Guosheng (Hangzhou) Technology (CN)
Sustainable Furan Bio-based Materials
Abstract
10:10 Andrew Richardson
Johnson Matthey PLC (UK)
Sustainable Aromatics for Drop-in Bio-based Packaging, Fibres and Films
Abstract
10:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
10:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
10:50 Coffee Break
10:50 Coffee Break

Markets and Applications, Bio-based Polymers – Part II

CO2-based Polymers

11:20 Stefano Facco
Novamont (IT)
Renewable Monomers and Polymers, New Coating Technologies
11:20 Alex Hogan
Vioneo (CH)
Pioneering Fossil Free Plastics
Abstract
11:40 Joris Vermunt
Corbion (NL)
Lactic Acid Solutions for a More Sustainable Future
Abstract
11:40 Tony Rehn
NG Nordic (FI)
Carbon2x – The Next Generation of Biodegradable Plastics from CO2
12:00 Geoffroy Delvinquier
Futerro (BE)
Alternatives to Fossil-based Chemistry and Plastics: the Potential of Lactic-acid-based Chemicals and Polymers such as Polylactic Acid (PLA) for Sustainability, Circularity, and Innovative Applications
Abstract
12:00 Keith Wiggins
Econic Technologies (UK)
Repurposing CO2: Polymers, Surfactants and Beyond
Abstract
12:20 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
12:20 Panel Discussion with all Speaker son the Session
12:40 Lunch Break
12:40 Lunch Break

Bio-based and -attributed Polymers

Recycled Polymers

14:10 Dirk Hölter
Cerdia (CH)
Cellulose Acetate – How a Material Predating Modern Polymer Chemistry Provides Solutions for Today
Abstract
14:10 N.N.
AXELERA (FR)
WhiteCycle : An innovative European Project to Process and Recycle PET From Complex Waste
14:30 Nicko Reuter
UPM Biochemicals (DE)
Revolutionizing Packaging with UPM BioPET
Abstract
14:30 Gian De Belder
Procter & Gamble (BE)
Industry Partnerships for Solvent-based Cleaning Technologies for Polyolefin Recycling
14:50 Stephan Roest
Borealis (AT)
Borealis A/B/C Approach to Carbon Circularity for Plastics
Abstract
14:50 Jean-Paul Lange
University of Twente (NL)
PU Depolymerization with Phosgene-free Recovery of Diisocyanate
Abstract
15:10 Frank Eisenträger
Ineos Styrolution Switzerland (CH)
Making Bio-Attributed Styrenics a Reality: INEOS Styrolution’s Path to Renewable Carbon and Net Zero
Abstract
15:10 Karin van der Helm-Rademaker
Cargill (NL)
Novel Recycled Based Polyols, Raising the Bar for More Demanding Polyurethanes Adhesives
Abstract
15:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
15:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
15:50 Coffee Break

Grand Hall – Innovation Award

Chairperson(s)
Michael Carus
nova-Institute (DE)
16:20 MIchael Carus
nova-Institute
Innovation Award Introduction
16:40 tba
Covestro (DE)
tba
16:50 Justine Charmillot
Bloom Biorenewables (CH)
The First Ever White Lignin
17:00 N.N.
Borregaard (NO)
Innovative Platform Technology Bright for Renewable Lignin-based Biopolymers
17:10 Maike Lambarth
Cyclize (DE)
Mixed Waste and CO2 as Feedstock to Produce Syngas
17:20 Oliver Shafaat
Sci-Lumbe labs (US)
Bylon – a Scalable, Circular, Biosynthetic Polyamide
17:30 Sarvesh Poddar
Sustanix Materialtech (NL)
Replacing PFAS & Plastics in Paper Packaging
17:40 N.N.
Trinseo (IT)
Next Generation Recycled Content-Containing Acrylic Solutions
17:50 Online-Voting


Day 3, 24 September 2025

09:00 Christopher vom Berg
nova-Institute (DE)
Day Opening

Parallel Sessions

Grand Hall

Small Hall

Setting the Frame for Renewable Carbon

Biodegradation

09:10 Gerben Hieminga
ING (NL)
Renewable Carbon Economics: Navigating Defossilisation Amid Europe’s De-Industrialisation
09:10
European Commission (BE)
tba
09:30 Janine van Kampen
Dutch Ministry of Climate and Green Growth (NL)
Drafting a National Vision on Sustainable Carbon Chemistry in the Netherlands
09:30 Pauline Ruiz
nova-Institute (DE)
Where does Biodegradation Make Sense?
09:50 Anastasios Perimenis
CO2 Value Europe (BE)
Chemicals and Materials from CCU: The EU Context
09:50 Christian Lott
HYDRA Marine Sciences (DE)
Rethinking Compostability: Why we need Environmentally Biodegradable Plastics
10:10 Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea
European Commission, DG ENV (BE)
Update on the Coming Bioeconomy Strategy
10:10 Andreas Künkel
BASF (DE)
Biodegradability as End-of-Life Option in a Circular Economy: Value and the Path Forward
Abstract
10:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
10:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
10:50 Coffee Break
10:50 Coffee Break
11:20 Miriam Freudenberger
CropEnergies
Bio-based Chemicals: Yes, we can!? What is it About? What are our Experiences? Which Framework Conditions are Decisive?
Abstract
11:20 Robert Dierkes
University Hamburg (DE)
Identification of Microbial Enzymes for Plastic Degradation: Possibilities and Limitations
Abstract
11:40 Philippe Dewolfs
TÜV AUSTRIA (BE)
OK renewable – What’s New?
Abstract
11:40 Katrin Schwede
INAK (DE)
Making Compostability Work: Aligning Biodegradable and Compostable Plastics with EU Policy Goals
Abstract
12:00 Melanie Williams
SCS Standards (US)
Lower Carbon Chemicals and Packaging: A Certification Standard for Defossilising the Chemicals Industry
Abstract
12:00 Afsaneh Nabifar (DE)
CbDP
Compostable by Design Platform: Boosting a Circular Economy with Cross-value Chain Collaboration
12:20 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
12:20 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
12:40 Lunch Break & Networking
12:40 Lunch Break & Networking
14:10 Matthias Stratmann
nova-Institute (DE)
Case Studies Based on Peer-reviewed Life Cycle Assessments – Carbon Foot-prints of Different Carbon-based Chemicals and Material
Abstract
14:10 Daniel Steinitz
“bündnis mikroplastikfrei” (AT)
Joint Approaches to Reduce Persistent Microplastics in Austria
Abstract
14:30 Leif Rohrbach
Carbon Minds (DE)
Transformation to a Greenhouse Gas Neutral Chemical Region in the Rhineland
14:30 Alain Marty
Carbios (FR)
The Power of Enzymes to Ensure Plastic Circularity
14:50 Tim Börner
Empa – Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (CH)
A Prospective Framework to Assess the Potential for Environmental and Technical Net-Benefits of Early-Stage Bio-Manufacturing Routes Using Renewable Carbon
14:50 Anju Massey-Brooker
Royal Society of Chemistry (UK)
Sustainable Polymers in Liquid Formulations (PLF`s) Catalysed by the Royal Society of Chemistry
Abstract
15:10 Martin Clemesha
BRASKEM Netherlands (NL)
The EU Bioeconomy Strategy, Go Fast to Go far, a Call for Swift Action
15:10 Amy Goddard
Croda (UK)
Steve Howdle
University Nottingham (UK)
Sustainable Polymers for a Clean Future, Prosperity Partnerships
Abstract
15:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
15:30 Panel Discussion with all Speakers of the Session
15:50 Final get-together
16:00 End of Conference