Networkevent Biobased Future
Leuven, Belgium
Bio-based chemistry clearly has great potential. What else is needed to turn that potential into a market?
What happened previously… In five sector-specific working groups – covering Agriculture & Horticulture, Construction, Mobility, Cosmetics, and Textiles, Sport & Leisure – companies, sector representatives and knowledge partners set about examining where bio-based solutions currently offer opportunities and what still stands in the way of their breakthrough. Each working group combined the perspective of a sector specialist with the practical knowledge of the participants. Across these five very different sectors, a strikingly consistent picture is emerging. The challenge is not only to develop new bio-based solutions, but above all to bring supply and demand together and to take promising solutions from potential to market and scale.
During this event, we aim to explore the barriers to bio-based markets in greater depth and draw parallels with similar market and policy developments. We are taking the next step: what is needed to accelerate the breakthrough of ‘bio-based’ technologies, what levers do we have at our disposal in Flanders, and who wants to help build on this momentum?
Programme
12:30 – 13:30 reception & sandwich lunch
13:30 – 13:40 welcome & introduction: “From pioneer interviews and five sectoral workshops to a joint transition agenda”
13:40 – 14:00 What did we learn from the preparatory phase? (WA Bio-economy and WACK)
We’ll share the key findings from our five working groups and delve deeper into overarching drivers that present opportunities or challenges for bio-based materials across multiple sectors.
14:00 – 15:15 Yes, it’s possible! Lessons from other transitions
Regulation: how do you make room for the new? (Nathalie Devriendt, ODE)
We look back on 25 years of renewable energy policy in Flanders: How do you go from being a niche player to a mature player in the energy sector, and what role does policy play? What inspiration does this offer for bio-based materials?
Market & price: how does a more expensive alternative break out of the niche? (Jonas De Cooman, Axabio)
How can a niche product succeed upon market launch? Axabio shares its journey and approach to breaking into the healthcare industry.
“Raw material availability and (geopolitical) autonomy” (Werner Bosmans, European Commission)
How will resilience and autonomy in European policy influence the near future of bio-based markets?
15:15 – 15:35 Break
15:35 – 16:15 Bio-based in Flanders? Two perspectives on the breakthrough of bio-based
What potential is emerging in the Flemish bio-based landscape? We delve into the Bio-based Chemistry Overview Study (Willem Uyttendaele, Centexbel)
What are the priorities of Flemish policy: Flanders’ turn: ambition and levers (Dries Maes, WEWIS)
16:15 – 16:45 Panel – What message should we convey, and to whom?
A discussion that translates the day’s insights into targeted messages for the relevant stakeholders.
16:45 – 17:00 Where is the momentum? Who is on board?
Interactive session and closing remarks
17:00 Networking drinks