The interactive roundtable discussion enabled a lively exchange between participants from different sectors and backgrounds. While perspectives varied, there was broad agreement that Sustainable Chemistry has a key enabling role in the transition towards a circular and biobased economy. Participants also agreed that Europe already possesses strong scientific capabilities, industrial expertise and policy ambition, but that the key challenge now lies in translating innovation into large-scale industrial deployment and market uptake.
The roundtable featured Eric de Deckere (CEFIC), Monique Wekking (Relement), Rupert Posner (Unilever), Peter Wehrheim and Thaïs Leray (European Commission), Pilar Llorente Ruiz de Azua (Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking), and Rupert Taylor (Symrise). Together, they explored opportunities and challenges related to Sustainable Chemistry, circular and bio-based solutions, and the framework conditions needed to support innovation and long-term competitiveness.
The discussion highlighted the need for long-term investment, regulatory predictability and support mechanisms that are better aligned with the development timelines of sustainable innovations. Participants also discussed the importance of moving beyond support for individual projects towards coordinated development of entire value-chains, connecting feedstock suppliers, technology developers, chemical manufacturers and consumer-facing companies.
International cooperation and the development of resilient global value chains emerged as another central theme. Participants emphasized that Europe’s competitiveness depends on diversified international partnerships and access to sustainable resources, while global value chains should support local value creation and generate benefits also for partner countries. At the same time, the expansion of these value chains needs to be guided by a systemic sustainability perspective that safeguards biodiversity, food, security, and ecosystem services and avoids new forms of extractivism.
The programme was complemented by testimonial contributions from Emma Strömberg (IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute), Marianne Kettunen (Ellen MacArthur Foundation), and Jacqueline Vaessen (ChemistryNL), who shared additional perspectives on advancing sustainable and circular approaches across Europe.
Their contributions highlighted the importance of Safe and Sustainable by Design principles, circularity throughout the life cycle of products and materials, and the role of Sustainable Chemistry in enabling the use if renewable and circular carbon sources. The testimonials are available below.
Beyond the discussion itself, the event provided opportunities for networking and exchange among stakeholders and contributed to the broader conversations taking place during this year’s EU Green Week.
If you would like to join the conversation contact us at romina.laumann@isc3.org
