European Biopolymer Summit 2026

• From Sustainability Targets to Commercial Reality: The Next Phase for Biopolymers in Europe: Examine how companies are balancing sustainability commitments with cost pressures, material performance requirements and operational realities.
• Scaling Production Capacity: Moving Beyond Pilot Volumes and Limited Supply: Explore the technical, financial and supply chain challenges associated with expanding commercial-scale biopolymer production.
• Composability, Recycling and End-of-Life Infrastructure: Aligning Materials with Waste Management Systems: Assess the limitations and opportunities within current European collection, sorting, recycling and composting infrastructure.
• Regulation in Practice: How European Packaging and Waste Legislation is Shaping Material Decisions: Consider how PPWR, single-use plastics regulation and extended producer responsibility frameworks are influencing procurement and material strategies.
• Material Performance Under Commercial Conditions: Compatibility, Durability and Processing Constraints: Examine how biopolymers perform across real manufacturing and packaging environments, including extrusion, thermoforming and injection moulding applications.
• Cost Competitiveness and Willingness to Pay: The Economic Reality Facing Biopolymer Adoption: Explore pricing pressures, procurement expectations and the commercial barriers affecting broader market penetration.
• Biopolymer Compounding and Additive Technologies: Improving Functionality and Processing Performance: Assess how additives, reinforcement materials and formulation strategies are being used to improve material properties and processing consistency.
• Retailers, Brand Owners and Packaging Strategy: Integrating Biopolymers into Circular Economy Commitments: Examine how consumer brands and retailers are evaluating biopolymers within wider sustainability and packaging targets.
• Feedstocks, Supply Chains and Raw Material Availability: Building Long-Term Market Stability: Discuss feedstock sourcing, agricultural inputs, regional supply resilience and the impact of global market dynamics on biopolymer production.
• Certification, Standards and Market Credibility: Strengthening Transparency Across the Sector: Explore how certification schemes, lifecycle analysis methodologies and material standards are influencing customer confidence and regulatory compliance.
• Converters and Manufacturers Adapting Existing Systems: Operational Challenges Across Production Lines: Examine the practical realities of integrating biopolymers into established converting and manufacturing infrastructure.
• Innovation and Emerging Material Technologies: Connecting Technical Development with Commercial Demand: Consider how new polymer technologies, biotechnology platforms and material innovations are being positioned for commercial adoption across European markets.

European Biopolymer Summit 2026 will bring together senior professionals involved in the development, production, regulation, implementation and commercialisation of biopolymers across Europe, including:

• Biopolymer Producers and Material Suppliers: Manufacturers of biobased and compostable polymers involved in material development, production scaling, commercial strategy and market deployment.
• Packaging Manufacturers and Converters: Flexible and rigid packaging producers evaluating biopolymer integration across food packaging, consumer goods and industrial applications.
• Retailers and Consumer Brands: Brand owners and retail organisations assessing biopolymers within packaging sustainability targets, procurement strategies and circular economy commitments.
• Biopolymer Compounders and Additive Manufacturers: Companies developing formulations, reinforcement technologies, additives and processing solutions to improve material performance and compatibility.
• Biotechnology and Material Innovation Companies: Organisations developing new polymer technologies, feedstocks and biological production pathways for next-generation materials.
• Equipment Manufacturers and Processing Technology Providers: Companies supplying manufacturing, extrusion, moulding and converting technologies supporting biopolymer processing and implementation.
• Contract Manufacturers and Industrial Processors: Manufacturing partners responsible for integrating biopolymer materials into existing production systems and commercial product lines.
• Waste Management, Recycling and Composting Stakeholders: Organisations involved in collection, sorting, recycling and industrial composting systems assessing end-of-life implications for biopolymer materials.
• Regulatory Authorities and Standards Organisations: Government bodies, certification organisations and industry associations shaping policy, standards and compliance frameworks affecting the sector.
• Research Institutions and Universities: Academic and applied research organisations conducting material science, polymer engineering and sustainability research related to biopolymers.
• Consultants, Market Analysts and Industry Advisers: Advisory organisations providing market intelligence, regulatory guidance and commercial analysis across sustainable materials markets.
• Senior Decision-Makers Across the Sector: Consistent with previous editions, attendees include Chief Executives, Sustainability Directors, Packaging Directors, R&D Leaders, Materials Scientists, Procurement Heads, Regulatory Specialists and Commercial Managers responsible for strategic decision making across the biopolymer value chain.

The 2025 edition of ACI’s European Biopolymer Summit brought together senior professionals from across the sustainable materials and packaging value chain to examine the evolving commercial and regulatory landscape affecting biopolymer adoption across Europe. Over two days of presentations, panel discussions and networking, industry stakeholders explored how regulation, material innovation, infrastructure and market economics are shaping the next phase of growth for the sector.

A Cross-Value Chain Industry Gathering

The conference welcomed representatives from biopolymer producers, packaging manufacturers, retailers, compounders, technology providers, research organisations and regulatory bodies. Discussions throughout the event reflected the growing commercial interest in sustainable material solutions alongside the operational challenges associated with scaling adoption across existing manufacturing and waste management systems.

Regulation and Packaging Policy in Focus

A central theme throughout the conference was the evolving European regulatory landscape affecting packaging and sustainable materials. Speakers examined how packaging waste legislation, compostability standards, recycling targets and extended producer responsibility frameworks are influencing material selection, investment decisions and long-term product strategies.

Infrastructure, Waste Systems and End-of-Life Realities

Sessions across the programme explored the disconnect between material innovation and existing waste management infrastructure. Industry experts discussed the practical challenges surrounding compostability claims, recycling contamination concerns and the limitations of current collection and sorting systems across European markets.

Commercial Adoption and Market Economics

Presentations throughout the event examined the economic pressures facing wider biopolymer implementation. Discussions focused on cost competitiveness, willingness-to-pay challenges, procurement expectations and the commercial realities affecting adoption across packaging and consumer goods sectors.

Material Innovation and Processing Technologies

Technical sessions highlighted developments in polymer technologies, compounding strategies and material performance optimisation. Industry experts explored how formulation improvements, additive technologies and processing adaptations are supporting broader commercial implementation across manufacturing environments.

Collaboration Across the Value Chain

The conference also provided a platform for collaboration between material suppliers, packaging producers, retailers, technology developers, regulators and researchers. Discussions highlighted the importance of coordinated approaches across the value chain to support commercially viable and operationally realistic growth for the European biopolymer sector.

Event Chair – Sarah K Hickingbottom, VP & Global Practice Head, FutureBridge

• Alberto Castellanza, Director Markets & Product Development, Novamont
• Patrick Zimmermann, Managing Director, FKuR Kunststoff GmbH
• Sebastien Bregeaud, CTO, Notpla
• Koustubh Dube, CTO, CIYANO
• Kevin Da Costa, CTO, Evolution Music
• Aleksandra Nešić, Senior Research Associate, Faculty of Technology Novi Sad, University of Novi Sad
• Dr. Marco Amici, Global Head of Business Development, Livinguard Technologies AG
• Saoirse Kathryn McConnell, Co-Founder & CTO, SurfAce Cleantech
• Burcak Alp, Co-Founder & CTO, Intace
• Antonella Cavazza, Associate professor, University of Parma
• Servet Karadeniz, CEO, CIYANO
• Mike Hale, CEO, CHESTNUT BIOPOLYMERS
• Mark Shortland, CEO, Shoplight Ltd
• Thijs Verhaar, Owner, KNITWEAR LAB
• Dr. Afsaneh Nabifar, Head of Global Advocacy & Sustainability for Biopolymers, BASF
• Mark Shortland, CEO, Shoplight Ltd
• Benoit Berny, Product Innovation Manager, Lactips
• Mohammadreza Naeimirad, Innovation Development Manager, Senbis Polymer Innovations B.V.

ACI has put together a range of packages to suit your requirements. These range from branding options, to full scale partner solutions and can be tailored to meet your objectives and budgets.

If you are launching a new product or service and wish to gain visibility and brand recognition within your industry, contact us today!

For commercial opportunities, please contact:

Krisztina Szabo

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3141 0603

Email: [email protected]

Polymerupdate is Asia’s largest petrochemical market intelligence company, providing daily pricing assessments that are used as benchmarks by leading companies to settle their raw material purchase contracts. This 25-year-old Indian company delivers critical industry news and proprietary price assessments that empower global manufacturers, traders, and end-users to navigate complex markets with confidence. Our business-critical insights support informed decision-making across the petrochemicals industry, helping stakeholders understand market trends, assess opportunities, and manage the complexities of global petrochemical markets effectively.

Website: https://www.polymerupdate.com/

__________________________________________________________________________________

FB Tech Review is the only one of its kind, knowledge platform that brings to its audience insider information from the food and beverage technology space. With our unique peer-to-peer learning approach, we connect elements from the different ends of the spectrum. We bring together senior decision-makers from leading organizations and their counterparts in their domains under one roof so that they can share their wisdom, knowledge and technological expertise among peers–accelerating the growth of the space.

Food and Beverages Tech Review

__________________________________________________________________________________

TEXTILE VALUE CHAIN (TVC) is an Indian Trade Media serving the Indian and Global Textile, Apparel, Fashion, Retail, Technical Textile, Home Textile industry since 2012 , with Monthly Print Magazine, E-Magazine, E-Newsletter, Online Global Information and Sourcing Platform.

www.textilevaluechain.in

__________________________________________________________________________________

Fecc is the voice of the Chemical Distribution Industry in Europe. With a growing membership of companies and national associations, Fecc represents around 1,600 companies of which many are small and medium sized companies (SMEs). Fecc and its members contribute to innovation and sustainability besides adding value in the supply chain, by sourcing, developing, marketing, and distributing a wide range of specialty chemicals and ingredients to over one million downstream users ranging from automotive, electronics, paint, construction to pharmaceutical, cosmetics, food and nutrition industries, each with their own specialised needs. The Chemical distribution industry in Europe employs more than 30,000 people and has an annual sales leverage of approximately €28 billion.

https://www.fecc.org/

_________________________________________________________________________________

Website: https://greenchemicalsblog.com/

Established in 2007, the Green Chemicals Blog (GCB) is now under the banner of Green D Market Analytics. For more than a decade, GCB has become the authoritative source of global market information on renewable chemicals and materials. It has also been involved in strategic partnerships with leading industry conferences and organizations, enhancing the value we bring. These partnerships aim to create a dynamic synergy between our platform and these influential events, amplifying the depth and breadth of our coverage. Through this community, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable chemical practices, drive positive change in the industry, and support the development of renewable and circular alternatives. Contact [email protected] for more information.

________________________________________________________________________________

Packaging Herald is a B2B bimonthly magazine about packaging news and trends, which provides practical tips and in­novation insights for daily business. It creates communication and an infor­mation exchange platform for all participating parties that deal with packaging and related services.

http://en.packagingherald.cz/

__________________________________________________________________________________

NobleNet^SM is the world’s premier professional network designed exclusively for the STEM sector; Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and related markets. Join us for fast, free networking, highly relevant sector content and great sourcing opportunities. We are growing strongly and warmly welcome anyone with interests in these markets, across all levels, from students to CEOs. Basic membership is free.

www.noblenet.co

___________________________________________________________________________________

Plastech is the largest and most popular information and business platform designed for plastics and packaging industry. Since its foundation in 2002, the Plastech business platform has continuously grown as a branch media player.  Plastech – being a branch Internet vortal, is continuously evolving as a business platform. However, the general idea of a free-access business platform operated by specialists and targeting the wide plastics and packaging industry public is not going to change.

https://www.plastech.pl/

At the event we strive not only to bring you to the same location at the same time as your customers/suppliers/peers, we strive to ensure you meet face-to-face with each and every one of your target contacts and to provide you with the time you need to have multiple unhurried conversations with them and build a lasting business relationship:

• A pre-event informal introduction the evening before the conference
• A minimum of five hours’ networking built into the two day conference agenda
• A networking grid which enables you to make your target contacts aware you are looking for them
• The option to join either social drinks or dinner during the evening of Day One
• ACI’s on-site team will assist you in locating your hard-to-find target contacts & make face-to-face introductions

Of course, if there is anybody you are unable to meet over the two days, ACI’s event team will do their best to initiate contact after the event.