The meeting brought together over 200 experts, entrepreneurs and innovators of European chemical industries and provided them with an industrial outlook on bio-based research efforts. During the meeting success stories of a number of bio-based industries were discussed, as well as several options to turn science into a successful marketing strategy, and various business models across the value chain.

Large brands and start-ups

The event attracted some of the largest brands in the world, chemical producers and new start-ups all offering insights on the bio-based economy including Carlsberg, Lego, TetraPak, Lanzatech, Ikea and Reverdia. The conference focused on process innovations and technology and sustainable products.

The conference was held at the Amsterdam Science Park congress centre on 31 May and 1 June. Conference delegates also went on guided tours of the HIMS research labs.

The participants were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Peter van Tinderen, the dean of the UvA Faculty of Science. Dr. Shiju Raveendran of HIMS was among the lecturers with an overview of heterogeneous catalytic conversion studies of biomass at HIMS, and participated in the panel discussion Where next for the business of bio-based. Prof. Gadi Rothenberg chaired the session and discussion panel on Gamechangers: Platforms, Intermediates and Building blocks.

The lectures and panel discussions were complemented by industrial exhibits and a scientific poster session. The Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences Poster of the Year Award went to PhD student Wei Zhang, who presented his research on the synthesis of mesoporous vanadia-titania catalysts and their application in the oxidation of ethyl lactate.