The bioeconomy is developing in many directions: New bio-based chemicals, building blocks, polymers, solvents and fibres for an increasingly wide range of applications are constantly entering the market. No wonder that the International Conference on Bio-based Materials is once again in high demand: 250 participants, mainly from the industry, and 30 exhibitors are expected. “For the conference, we always invite the worldwide leading companies to present their recent activities and innovations – a unique opportunity for the participants to meet the pioneers in the field all at one place”, says Michael Carus, Managing Director of organizer nova-Institute. The programme features mayor topics like policy and strategy, first and second generation feedstock, bio-based building blocks and polymers, and environmental solutions. In each session, international experts will cover the latest technology trends, market data and strategies:
AkzoNobel (NL) and BASF (DE) will present their latest bio-based strategies and concepts, and LMC (UK) will report the recent biomass feedstock trends. New pathways to existing and new bio-based building blocks will be presented by Avantium (NL), DuPont (USA), Haldor Topsoe (DK), Reverdia (NL), UPM (FI/DE) and VTT (FI). Doris de Guzman from Tecnon OrbiChem (UK) will give an update on current market trends.
Bio-based polymers and their applications are presented by Arkema (FR), Braskem (BR/NL), Covestro (DE), Eastman (USA), FKuR (DE), Neste (FI/CH), PolymerFront (SE) and Total Corbion (NL).
Borregaard (NO), KaiCell Fibers (FI) and WUR (NL) will present innovations in wood-based chemistry and fibres. Two presentations from University College Cork (IE) and Biopetrolia (SE) show the potential of yeast as platform technology for bio-based chemicals.
Finally, four presentations will focus on environmental solutions by bio-based pathways: Jan Ravenstijn Consulting (NL), RWTH Aachen University (DE), University of York (UK), Fraunhofer IFAM (DE) and AIMPLAS (ES).
The established innovation award “Bio-based Material of the Year 2018” will be elected and presented in the framework of the conference. The award will be granted to the young, innovative bio-based chemicals and materials industry for finding suitable applications and markets for bio-based products. Former award recipients include companies like BIO-LUTIONS (DE/IN), Covestro (DE), Fischerwerke (DE), FKuR (DE), Ecovative Design (USA), Evonik (DE), Hib Trim Part Solutions (DE/CN), Omodo (DE), Orineo (BE), Paptic (FI), QMilch (DE), NewLight Technologies (USA), Phytowelt (DE) and Staedtler Mars (DE).
Source: nova-Institut GmbH
