Agenda - day one

An energetic programme of keynotes, presentations, panel discussions, Q&A’s, interviews and live podcasts from world leading and pioneering bio developers and producers, consumer facing brands, investors and community enablers.

08:00-09:00

Welcome coffee & registration

09:00-09:10

Opening remarks

Paul MacDonald, Partner & Head of Community, World Bio Markets

09:10-09:30

Opening keynote address: The plant positive way - bioeconomy towards net zero and a profitable future

The plant is our hero. With the valorization of side-streams and carbon negative raw materials as a source, the business groups of Royal Cosun aims to unlock the biobased industry. The transition challenges of conventional chemistry, energy and materials into a more sustainable and circular world are large and yet to be overcome. Improved consumer solutions to affordable scale, resilience and strong partnerships are imperative for success.

Mike Vermeer, Senior Innovation Manager, Royal Cosun

09:30-09:40

AMSilk - succesfully scaling up biofabrication of silk proteins

AMSilk is a prime mover of providing smart bio-based silk materials for many applications. CEO Ulrich Scherbel will talk about the company‘s next milestones with regard to strategic production partnerships, scale up, and customer projects, the company’s new sustainability program and the successfully completed new fundraising series.

Ulrich Scherbel, CEO, AMSilk

09:40-09:50

Nanocellulose Valley - enabling today’s forests to launch tomorrow’s sustainable products

Discover nearly limitless opportunities to replace fossil-derived materials with UMaine’s world-renowned and globally commercialized technology for producing nanocellulose. From functional packaging to advanced composites to bone replacements, highly refined sustainable forest fiber is the solution your company needs on its journey to launch the next generation of products.

Dr. Colleen Walker, Director, UMaine’s Process Development Center, University of Maine

09:50-10:00

How to win friends and Influence bacteria - the domestication of microbes

MicroByre envisions a world of chemical products produced not through petroleum processing, but through the incredible biological systems our bacterial friends specialize in. We domesticate reluctant and rebellious bacteria to unlock metabolic pathways that have long been overlooked for economically viable biomanufacturing applications, helping our partners accelerate their transition to a circular bioeconomy.

Sarah Richardson, CEO, MicroByre

10:00-10:10

A competitive bioeconomy for a sustainable future - Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking

Since 2014, the public-private partnership Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) has invested €3.7 billion in 140+ projects developing highly innovative, resource-efficient and competitive bio-based industries in Europe. A new €215.5 million call for project proposals is inviting all stakeholders of the bio-based industries ecosystem to apply.

Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore, Executive Director, CBE JU

10:10-10:20

Mycelium Solutions - working with nature to maintain spaceship earth

The world recognizes the urgent need to change our behavior for a healthy planet. This talk will explore how mycelium, the ‘roots’ of mushrooms, have emerged as a versatile solution for making many different products with less environmental impact, everything from packaging to fashion and apparel and, of course, food.

Gavin McIntyre, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer, Ecovative

10:30-11:00

Panel discussion: Investing in bio and how best to secure funding

What you need to know (and what you dont need to know) when thinking about investing in bio and the importance of investor alignment and top tips for developers and producers looking to secure funding – The challenges, opportunities, risk and rewards… and lessons learnt along the way.

Hosted by Rob van der Meij, Partner, Capricorn

Featuring:

Josko Bobanovic, Partner, Sofinnova

Stephane Rousel, Partner, European Circular Bioeconomy Fund

Rik Wehbring, Managing Director, Bioeconomy Capital

11:00-11:45

Networking coffee

11:45-12:00

The race for sustainability supremacy, branded versus privale label - a retailers perspective

12:00-12:10

Relying on microorganisms and fermentation to build a sustainable industry

Driven by the conviction that fermentation is one of the answers to today’s challenges, we collaborate with players from all sectors to make industry more sustainable. We support our partners whatever the stage they are at, on this path of development and industrialization of microorganism, biobased molecule, or product.

Pierre Basuyaux, Sales Manager, Europe & Asia, Leaf by Lesaffre

12:10-12:20

Cobus Block, Director of International & Business Recruitment, State of Nebraska

12:20-12:30

North Sea Port - a transition in full throttle

North Sea Port values residual streams, CO2 and waste as valuable raw materials that play a key role in the circular economy. The port provides the perfect feeding ground for innovation and entrepreneurship within a diverse biobased ecosystem.

Nathalie Cogghe, Commercial Manager, North Sea Port

Sandra de Mey, Commercial Manager, North Sea Port

12:30-12:40

BioForming® S2A Technology - success in fuels and fabrics

Here we share how we have helped drive the sustainability performance for United, Rolls-Royce and Gulfstream and how our bio based chemicals are being used within the fibres and packaging sector… and of course who we would like to collaborate with in the future.

Iain Gilmore, Senior Business Development Manager, Johnson Matthey

12:50-13:15

Panel discussion: Shoe sustainability - bio progress and priorities

An inside look examining the footwear industry’s progress toward sustainability.

Hosted by Andy Polk, Senior Vice President, FDRA (Footwear Distributors & Retailers of America)

Featuring:

Gayatri Keskar, VP of Research, Material ConneXion

13:15-14:30

Networking lunch

14:30-14:45

Sustainability by design and high performing cosmetics ingredients

L’Oréal has set itself some very ambitious targets in terms of sustainability, including moving away from using fossil-derived ingredients. Partnering with external bio-based and circular technology providers and industrial ingredients manufacturers will be key in this transition.

Fabien Deswarte, Sustainable Innovation Manager, L’Oréal

14:45-14:55

Bio Hydroxy Polymers - the missing link in bioplastics

Experts in the manufacture of thermally processible polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a highly functional polymer with additional end of life properties. PVA enhances the functionality of biopolymers such as PLA and PHA without compromising biobased content. Introducing a new material derived from PVA which is 100% biobased, has excellent functionality as well as multiple end of life possibilities.

Dr John Williams, Chief Technology Officer, Aquapak Polymers

14:55-15:05

Zero waste alone will not enable faster results

Cybersecurity issues have been blocking results instead of accelerating them for far too long. Blueotter’s proposal to accelerate success is to co-invest in highly innovative projects with international partners and smartly share the know-how across industries and geographies.

Vanessa Segurado, CEO & CSO, Blueotter Group

15:05-15:15

Be part of a better port

The port of Amsterdam is the 4th largest port in Europe and one of the world’s major energy hubs. Learn more about how the port is transitioning towards a carbon neutral energy port that utilizes and clusters various waste streams as valuable feedstock.

Joey van Elswijk, Commercial Manager Renewable Fuels, Port of Amsterdam

15:15-15:25

Investing in the bio-revolution

Biologization is the next big wave of transformation after digitalization affecting main industries, business models, and investors. Learn how ECBF strives for a prosperous future realigned with nature and incorporates such a vision at the core of its investment decisions and seizes the opportunities that the shift from a fossil-based to a bio-based economy is opening.

Dr Michael Brandkamp, Partner, European Circular Bioeconomy Fund

15:35-16:00

Panel discussion: Accelerating change in the global chemical industry

Here we explore the role of the bioeconomy in the decarbonisation of the chemical sector and unpick it’s pros and cons. What are the top 3 commercial imperatives that can be done (by the people in this room) to super charge change and contribute to planetary protection.

Hosted by Norbert Baum, Senior Executive Manager & Global Business Development, Helm

Featuring:

Samir Somaiya, Chairman & Managing Director, Godavari Biorefineries

Thomas Canova, Executive VP & Head of Renewable Materials & Biotechnology Platform, Solvay

16:00-16:30

Networking coffee

16:30-16:50

The future of food and packaging

16:50-17:00

A 10-minute technical presentation from a world leading bio pioneer

17:00-17:25

Panel discussion: The scaling up journey - text book versus reality

Is there such a thing as a text book scaling up journey and if so what does it look like, how long does it take and what are the commercial milestones. Perspectives from an early stage startup, pilot/demo plant, outsourced R&D provider, supplier and financier.

Hosted by Jeff Passmore, Founder & CEO, The Passmore Group

Featuring:
Goizeder Barberena Ibanez, Biomass Strategy & Business Development Manager, CENER (National Renewable Energy Centre)
Anne-Marie de Moei, Clean Technologies Business Development Manager, Alfa Laval

17:25-17:30

Closing remarks

Paul MacDonald, Partner & Head of Community, World Bio Markets

17:30-19:00

Networking drinks