The conference sessions, running parallel to the 1-2-1 meetings program, underpins the event’s core mission of scaling industrial biomanufacturing in the region.
In this pivotal year for the growth of European biomanufacturing, a carefully curated program of company presentations, guest speakers and panels will deliver actionable insights and solutions to critical industry challenges – sparking transformative 1-2-1 commercial discussions.
08:00
Networking coffee & registration
09:00
Opening Remarks
Leo Stemp, Head of Content, Bio Innovations Europe
09:05
Opening keynote address
Transforming material development for the automotive industry: Biotech and the circular economy at Mercedes-Benz
The automotive industry is continuously exploring novel materials for both interior and exterior applications. In the past, the primary focus was on adding functionalities such as lightweight design, improved haptics, enhanced insulation, NVH performance, and wear resistance.
With the implementation of sustainability strategies and evolving legislation in the automotive industry, new priorities are gaining importance, including circular economy principles and the use of alternative fossil-free feedstocks. This presentation showcases the latest developments in this field and discusses the challenges associated with implementing these new technologies within the automotive industry.
Dr Karl-Heinz Füller, Manager Future Exterior and Materials, Mercedes-Benz
09:25
Panel discussion
Making bio-based the mainstream choice in auto manufacturing
On this panel we explore the challenges of scaling bio-based production to meet the need of the automotive sector. What do car makers want from their supply partners in terms of material performance, cost, sustainability, circularity, and reliability of supply? How are suppliers meeting the challenge of scaling production to meet demand, achieve cost-parity with fossil-based materials, and enable mass adoption of bio-based alternatives.
Hosted By:
Leo Stemp, Head of Content, Bio Innovations Europe
Featuring:
Dr Karl-Heinz Füller, Manager Future Exterior and Materials, Mercedes-Benz
David Williamson, CEO, Modern Meadow
Ulrich Scherbel, CEO, AMSilk
Revital Nadiv, Co-Founder, Re-Fresh Global
10:00
Transformation of our ingredient portfolio - achievements and the journey ahead
Rethinking origin and sourcing of ingredients is key in the sustainability transition of the Beauty sector. This presentation will cover the progress achieved in transitioning towards bio- and circular-based ingredients and the partnership models underpinning this transformation at L’Oréal. It will also discuss the priorities shaping the next phase alongside the systemic challenges that must be collectively addressed to accelerate mainstream adoption at scale.
Fabien Deswarte, Head of Strategic Partnerships for Sustainability Group, L’Oréal
10:20
Planet B.io: Innovation Ecosystem for Industrial Biotech
The urgency to invest in economic growth and resilience is higher than ever. The Dutch government has pinpointed biotechnology as one of the four national strategic growth areas. I will discuss the gaps that have been identified to boost commercialisation of innovative biotech solutions, and opportunities to fill these gaps by working closely together in a public private innovation ecosystem. Planet B.io takes a leading role in boosting biotech innovation, from supporting early stage entrepreneurs all the way to first commercial production.
Cindy Gerhardt, Managing Director, Planet B.io
10:35
From capability to scale - renewing Europe’s industrial base
Europe already has what it needs to lead the bioeconomy: technology, feedstock, skills and operating assets. What now determines the outcome is industrial policy. UPM’s Leuna biorefinery shows how first‑of‑a‑kind investments become platforms when markets and long‑term policy signals align. The next step is decisiveness, scaling what already works into competitive, resilient manufacturing made in Europe.
Dominik Müller, Senior Manager Sustainability & Market Development, UPM Next Generation Renewables
10:50
Networking coffee
11:30
Guest speaker
Why formulate cosmetics with ingredients based on secondary raw materials
The presentation highlights the strategic role of feedstock choice, with a strong focus on secondary raw materials as highly valuable resources that enable circularity and reduce reliance on virgin inputs for Net Zero. The presentation outlines diverse conversion pathways that can supply drop‑in or novel cosmetic ingredients Key challenges such as cost, regulatory gaps, competing demand, and technology readiness are balanced against major opportunities for new business models, emission reductions, and high‑value innovations.
Dr Manuela Köhler, Chief Scientist Feedstock & Formula Science, Beiersdorf
11:50
Tackling circularity for polyolefins and base chemicals with the A/B/C approach
Borouge International is committed to leading the transition to a more sustainable future through its Circular Economy Solutions (CES). These offer value-adding plastics and chemicals as more sustainable alternatives, including design for recycling, reusable products, mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and renewable-based plastics.
The prime approach to circular solutions follows the A/B/C model: A for carbon from the atmosphere (CCU), B for carbon from biomass, and C for circular technology-based carbon from mixed waste streams.
The Bornewables™ and Borvida™ B portfolios are based on B-feedstocks and are already in use across many plastic applications today. The Borcycle™ portfolio provides solutions based on C-feedstocks, complemented by recycled plastics from Borealis recycling plants. The offering is now completed with circular polyolefin portfolios based on atmospheric carbon (A), produced from captured CO₂.
Annika Huomo, Business Development Manager – Renewable & Biobased Polyolefins – Base Chemicals, Borouge International
12:10
BMW: Design for sustainability with wooden structural components
BMW is taking a pioneering approach to integrating wood and bio-based materials into structural automotive components. This presentation explores design for circularity, innovative material combinations (wood, cork, flax, bio-resins), design for easy disassembly, and closed-loop recycling systems. It showcases how BMW is in the early phase of research and development working to dramatically increase biobased content while reducing parts, weight, and CO₂ footprint, delivering sustainable luxury and performance.
Stefan Koensgen, Project Leader Design for Sustainability R&D, BMW
12:25
Driving Sustainable Change Through SynBio Research and Innovation
VTT uses synthetic biology research to drive sustainable change by re-imaging how chemicals, materials, and ingredients are produced. The talk highlights how research-driven innovation, from engineered microbial platforms to scalable biomanufacturing, can translate into real-world impact and support Europe’s transition towards a bio-based, circular economy.
Jorg de Ruijter, Research Team Leader, VTT
12:35
Networking lunch
14:00
Panel discussion
Harmonising standards for bio-based to accelerate buyer uptake
Lack of clear and consistent standards for novel biosolutions create buyer hesitancy, increase qualification delays, and lead to greenwashing fears, all of which slow B2B adoption of bio-based drop-in solutions. This session highlights the urgent need for clear, comprehensive, harmonised European standards on bio-content, performance, and sustainability to accelerate market uptake. The panel explores where we are on the journey towards harmonisation and considers the next steps towards developing robust yet practical frameworks that B2B buyers can trust and understand, and that regulators will accept.
Hosted By:
Richard Platt, Partner, ERM
Featuring:
Zoi Efthymiadou, Associate, Circular Products and Materials, World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Rupert Posner, Director Global Sustainability Advocacy – Home Care, Unilever
Fabian Nuese, Lifecycle Manager, Evonik
14:30
EU Market-Pull Measures for Biobased Plastics: What’s in the Policy Pipeline
Biobased plastics are gaining significant political momentum in Brussels, with increasing discussions around market-pull measures across packaging and other downstream sectors. However, when and how will this translate into concrete legislation? This presentation will explore the EU policy pipeline for biobased plastics and argue that without mandatory legislative measures and clear market incentives, Europe will not be able to fully scale and accelerate the transition away from fossil-based plastics.
Julie Pieters, EU Policy Affairs Manager, European Bioplastics
14:40
Advanced Biotech for Sustainability (AB4S) – The Molecule Manifesto
Advanced biotechnology has spent decades proving its potential, yet the bio-based economy remains largely unrealized at commercial scale. The Molecule Manifesto, an industry-authored report from the AB4S coalition, evaluates 300+ molecules to identify where biology can uniquely deliver. This keynote presents four priority molecules, two deployment tracks, and the commercial conditions to move from promise to production.
Massimo Portincaso, Co-Founder and CEO, Arsenale Bioyards