The Trilateral Innovation Summit hosts 15 challenge tables and 4 thematic tables

The Trilateral Innovation Summit, which will take place on Monday 29th in Heusden-Zolder (Belgium), builds on the Trilateral Strategy for the Chemical Industry, a strategic collaboration between governments and industry clusters in Flanders, the Netherlands, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Together, we aim to drive competitiveness, sustainability, and growth in the European chemical sector through joint innovation and shared vision. 

Programme

• 10.00 Welcome Coffee
• 10.30 Plenary Session:
• 10.30 Welcome by Tine Schaerlaekens (Catalisti)
• 10.35 Introduction by Colette Alma-Zeestraten (VNCI)
• 10.45 Keynote: Dirk Carrez (Bio-based Industries Consortium)
• 11.15 Project: COUNTLESS by Kelly Servaes (VITO)
• 11.30 Parallel table sessions: Challenge and Thematic Tables
• 12.30 Lunch
• 14.00 Parallel table sessions: Challenge and Thematic Tables
• 15.00 Reception
• 16.00 End

Download a detailed programme here (pdf).

Plenary Session

During the plenary session, Dirk Carrez (Bio-based Industries Consortium) will present a state-of-play on bio-based innovation in the trilateral region and beyond. He will highlight not only the opportunities but also the structural challenges and barriers. In addition, Kelly Servaes (VITO) will introduce the cross-border EU project COUNTLESS, which focuses on developing innovative applications based on lignin—ranging from building foams to adhesives and even sun creams.

Challenge Tables

Challenge Tables are dynamic, small-group breakout sessions where leading companies and research institutes present concrete innovation challenges they are currently facing. Each session focuses on a specific innovation challenge proposed by each of the companies. Participants are invited to share their expertise, explore solution directions, and potentially initiate partnerships. The sessions offer an opportunity to connect with cross-border partners around shared innovation goals. Download a detailed programme here (pdf).

Discover the fifteen Challenge Tables: 

Avantium (NL)

Looking for application for high-performance copolyesters

Table Host: Gert-Jan Gruter (CTO)

Avantium is a scale-up that develops technologies to produce circular plastics. In one of its programs, Avantium is working on high-performance copolyesters made from commercial, bio-based monomers. One of these (co) polyester families polyisosorbide oxalate (PISOX) uniquely combines excellent mechanical properties (strength, rigidity, impact) with biodegradability (from home compostable within 6 months at ambient temperature to more slow degradation). In this challenge table, Avantium is looking for ideas on possible applications for this polymer family.

BASF

Advanced sensing and intelligent AI analytics for combustion-based processes

Table Host: Toon Stuyckx (Data scientist)

BASF Antwerp operates a production process where an incoming product is combusted to generate both the desired end product and a secondary byproduct. However, the combustion phase remains largely unmonitored due to a challenging environment with high temperatures and a lack of sensor infrastructure, making it a “black box” that is difficult to control and optimize. Through advanced sensing and intelligent AI analytics BASF would like to monitor the combustion profiles to improve process transparency, stability and efficiency. At this challenge table, BASF Antwerp is looking for partners who either face similar challenges in their own combustion-based processes and are interested in joining a subsidized collaborative project, or specialize in sensor technologies (e.g., industrial cameras, temperature sensors) and/or AI-driven monitoring solutions that could help gain visibility into and control over the combustion dynamics.

BioBTX (NL)

Valorising the gaseous side products from producing with mixed waste plastics feedstock

Table Host: Niels Schenk (director R&D)

BioBTX produces renewable aromatic chemicals (BTX) from mixed waste plastics. The largest side-stream during this process is a gas stream consisting of a mixture of hydrogen, C1-C5 hydrocarbons, CO, and CO₂. The exact composition of the gasses depends on the feedstock. The origin of the gas stream is, initially, mixed waste plastics. Bio-BTX is looking for the best existing technology to valorise this gas stream and possible partners or off-takers. What are the options from a technological, economic and environmental point of view? How do these options align with existing and future EU policies?

Blue Activity (DE)

Optimizing Water Usage Amid Rising Fees and Stricter Discharge Regulations

Table host: Lars Havighorst (CEO)

With water becoming an increasingly scarce and regulated resource, industrial players are under pressure to reduce consumption, reuse water streams, and improve discharge quality, all while maintaining economic viability. Rising water usage fees and stricter environmental discharge limits are pushing companies to rethink their water strategies. At this round table, Blue Activity, a start-up replacing biocides in cooling towers with a microbial solution, invites participants to discuss how to reduce water footprints and to improve water quality.  What are the barriers to implementation? Where do we see the greatest potential for impact? Let’s explore solutions together.

Cargill (BE)

Explore technologies that use electrochemical synthesis routes to convert polysaccharides into polyamines and technologies for the downstream processing

Table Host: Ronny Vercauteren (Senior Advisor)

Cargill is interested to explore technologies that use electrochemical synthesis routes (f.e. electrolysis, cold plasma,…) to convert polysaccharides into polyamines and in second place technologies for the downstream processing. The goal is to develop conversion processes that are energy-efficient, generate minimal waste streams (including low CO₂ emissions), and are both CAPEX- and OPEX-friendly. At this challenge table, Cargill would like to connect with companies and experts that have (a part of) the technology and knowledge to create such economic viable production processes.

Currenta (DE)

AI-Driven Process Optimization for Smarter Water and Resource Management

Table host: Philip Bunse (Senior Project Manager)

Industrial water treatment processes, such as aeration control and the dosing of precipitation and neutralization agents, are energy-intensive and highly sensitive to fluctuating input conditions. With AI and advanced analytics, there is growing potential to optimize these processes in real time, reducing costs, improving compliance, and minimizing environmental impact. At this round table, Currenta invites participants to discuss how AI can be integrated into operational workflows to make water treatment smarter and more efficient. What are the technical and organizational barriers? How can we ensure data quality and trust in AI-driven decisions? Join the discussion on the opportunities and challenges of applying AI to process optimization in industrial settings.

Cyclize (DE)

Collaboration of Startups and Corporates in the Circular Economy of Plastics

Table host: Maike Lambarth (CEO)

The transition towards a circular economy in the plastics industry requires strong collaboration between startups and corporates across the entire value chain, from raw material innovation to waste collection, sorting, and advanced recycling technologies. Yet, navigating these partnerships is often challenging due to differing expectations, timelines, and innovation cultures. At this round table, Cyclize, a start-up that makes synthesis gas out of plastic waste, invites participants to explore how such collaborations can be designed to accelerate circular solutions in plastics, identify where the biggest friction points lie, and share learnings on how startups and corporates can co-create impactful, scalable technologies.

Effex (BE)

Discuss on the benefits and challenges that Design of Experiments brings to industrial settings

Table Host: José Núñez Ares (Chief Scientific Officer)

Producing and formulating chemical products is complex due to strict component limits, process parameter variability, raw material variability and high quality requirements —while testing time and costs are limited. Design of Experiments (DoE) helps tackle these challenges for the whole chemical value chain by identifying optimal process settings and recipes with minimal tests through strategic data collection and robust analytic tools. At this round table, Effex wants to connect with partners that are looking to reduce the number of required experiments and aims to open the discussion on the benefits and challenges that Design of Experiments brings to industrial settings.

Evonik (DE)

Redefining carbon value: Regulatory gaps and value chain opportunities for a novel biotechnology carbon utilization route

Table Host: Dirk Poppe (Head of Program Specialty Sorbents for Carbon Capture)

Evonik’s Rheticus technology uses renewable electricity, green hydrogen, and microbes to convert CO₂ into valuable chemicals - enabling circular carbon use and sustainable feedstock transformation.  This opens new value chain opportunities for suppliers of biogenic CO₂, green hydrogen, and bioethanol. In this challenge table we are looking to explore how to build a novel value chain with new partners based on our Rheticus technology. We are looking to connect with suppliers of biogenic CO₂, green hydrogen, and bioethanol to establish novel these chains. Furthermore, we will discuss which key aspects need to be considered to create a supportive regulatory framework and how reliable certification models should be designed to foster CO₂-utilization in the chemical industry.

Indaver (BE)

As contaminant requirements still limit a number of possible applications, there is need for further advancements in upgrading technologies for recycling of different polymers

Table Hosts: Youri Michiels (research manager) & Wouter van Zundert (program manager)

Indaver Plastics2Chemicals has recently started up production of an advanced recycling plant, realizing large scale chemical recycling of different polymers with a pyrolyisis-based thermal treatment. As contaminant requirements, with restrictions on a.o. silicium and chlorine content, still limit a number of possible applications, there is need for further advancements in upgrading technologies. In this roundtable, we are looking for insights in how to implement such technologies at a relevant scale, either as pre-treatment techniques (advanced sorting, dissolution…) in tandem with mechanical and physical recycling or as post-treatment, looking at innovative approaches to hydrotreatment or other efficient separation techniques. Additionally, we would like to discuss the challenges that chemical recycling faces and how the future of this technology will look like.

Initiative by Edith van de Weg & Peter Nieuwenhuizen (NL)

Making the fundraising process more efficient for startups

Table hosts: Edith van de Weg & Peter Nieuwenhuizen (founders)

Edith van de Weg and Peter Nieuwenhuizen aim to set up a new venture fund for scaling Green Chemistry. Fundraising in the chemical landscape is already hard, but it is even more difficult because there isn’t an agreed roadmap such as you would find in pharma or IT industry – with e.g. clear valuations and expectations at each stage. This challenge table aims engagement with founders and other interested parties to agree what is needed to develop this roadmap for startups in green chemistry – which will make the fundraising process clearer and more efficient for all involved.

NEXTPYR-UP project (consortium with TNO, Shell, Unilever and ISPT) (NL)

The NEXTPYR-UP project delivers the technical, operational, and economic groundwork needed to support decisions in pyrolysis-based chemical recycling in the Netherlands. NEXTPYR-UP is looking for parties that want to learn from the results.

Table hosts: Arjan van Vliet (Energy Transition & Circularity advisor, Shell), Geoffrey Schouten (Program Manager, ISPT), TNO

The NEXTPYR-UP project aims to deliver the technical, operational, and economic groundwork needed to support investment decisions in pyrolysis-based chemical recycling in the Netherlands. It explores the feasibility of processing broader, more contaminated mixed plastic waste streams (e.g. like DKR 350, 352, 310, 323), and provides insight into contaminant removal, yield-quality relations, and downstream application potential — with a focus on contact-sensitive packaging. Through lab and pilot-scale testing, combined with modelling, certification, the project will clarify what is needed to move from fragmented pilots to scalable, traceable circular value chains. NEXTPYR-UP is looking for parties that want to learn from the results of this project and discuss the relevance of this project for the German and Belgian recycling industry. As an example, they are looking for companies wanting to put circular food packages on the market (brandowners and retailers) and companies in the pre-treatment of plastic waste streams to feedstock pyrolysis units.

Nobian (NL)

Scaling-up sodium sulfate recycling technology and building an ecosystem supporting the European lithium value chain.

Table Host: Coert van Lare (Director Innovation Program Renewable & Circular)

Nobian produces salt and chlor-alkali products such as caustic soda, chlorine and hydrogen. Nobian is innovating around its core building on their crystallization and electrolysis expertise. To that extent, they are developing new technologies around battery chemicals such as lithium and sodium based batteries. More specifically, they have developed a new process to convert lithium chloride to lithium hydroxide and are interested to connect to partners to gain access to lithium chloride brine as a raw material. At the same time a large amount of sodium sulfate is produced in the lithium battery value chain as a by-product and they have developed and filed a patent application in recycling this sodium sulfate. In this challenge table, Nobian would like to connect to partners and investors that are interested in scaling-up this sodium sulfate recycling technology and in building an ecosystem supporting the European lithium value chain.

NOVA Institute (DE)

Biodiversity Protection in the Bio-based Industry

Table Host: Lars Börger (co-CEO)

The chemical industry’s necessary switch to biomass as a renewable carbon source presents a critical innovation challenge: How do we scale a bio-based economy without exacerbating biodiversity loss? We must move away from pure sourcing to sustainable production and use of biomass. This demands systemic solutions that address three core questions: How can we design value chains that actively enhance ecosystems and its associated biodiversity rather than just minimise harm? What new metrics, circular models and agricultural/forestry practises are needed to truly value and preserve natural capital in the long term? And how can we turn bioeconomy into a net-positive driver for planetary health, ensuring both industrial renewal and ecological preservation and restoration?

Zeopore (BE)

Collaborate on R&D and pilot-scale testing of improved zeolites in real industrial catalytic processes

Table Host: Kurt Du Mong (CEO)

Zeopore Technologies NV develops advanced zeolites for enhanced catalyst performance in established applications (e.g. refining chemistry, petrochemistry,…) and emerging applications (e.g. sustainable fuels and chemicals, plastic waste recycling, decarbonization,..). A key challenge in these catalytic processes is to overcome diffusion limitations and catalyst deactivation, which hinder process efficiency and sustainability. Zeopore has proven that its advanced zeolites can solve this inefficiency and is now ready for real-life validation and for scaling up the process (TRL 6). It is therefore actively seeking industrial companies and end-users to collaborate on R&D and pilot-scale testing of improved zeolites in real industrial catalytic processes. Additionally, Zeopore is interested in exchanging best practices for succesfully building (international) consortia.

Thematic Tables

Led by expert facilitators, each Thematic Table provides valuable insights. These sessions are ideal for participants looking to strengthen their innovation strategy, gain clarity on policy developments, or learn how to align their projects with European and regional support mechanisms. Download a detailed programme here (pdf).

Discover the four Thematic Tables: 

European subsidies

How to navigate European funding opportunities in the chemical industry?

Table host: Kelly-Jayne Aylward (Moore Grants & Incentives)

In this interactive thematic table session, you will discover how organisations in the chemical industry can successfully navigate the complex landscape of European funding programmes. You will learn how to identify and access the most suitable opportunities that align with your organisation’s strategic objectives. The session will include space for discussion, practical insights, and the exchange of experiences, offering valuable guidance to help you get started on your funding journey.

Moore Grants & Incentives identifies relevant funding opportunities and guides companies through the entire funding process, offering strategic and technical support to prepare and manage proposals that support innovation, investment, and growth across regional, national, and European programmes.

SSbD

How to use SSbD as a guidance tool to drive sustainability?

Table host: Ann Dierckx (essenscia)

How to use ‘Safe and Sustainable by Design’ (SSbD) not just as an add-on suggested by the European Commission, but as a proactive strategy to support sustainable innovation? In this thematic table session, you will explore how SSbD can serve as a practical framework to support safe and sustainable product & process development and turn it into an opportunity by exchanging practical examples, and engaging in open discussions.

Ann Dierckx is the director of innovation and circular economy at the Flemish sector federation essenscia, supporting the chemical and life sciences industry in its initiatives towards more sustainability and circularity.  Ann used to work at Cefic, leading the work on SSbD.

AI/Digitalisation

How to integrate AI in process intensification?

Table host: Prof. Mumin Enis Leblebici (KU Leuven)

This thematic table explores how artificial intelligence (AI) and hybrid modelling techniques can revolutionize process intensification in the chemical industry. Participants will gain a better understanding of how AI can significantly boost efficiency, scalability and innovation in intensified chemical processes and of how leveraging historical data from industrial chemical processes, in combination with the development of machine learning models, enables the optimization of process performance. In an open discussion, participants are invited to share their experiences and address the challenges they may face.

Professor Enis Leblebici is an expert in chemical process intensification and is leading valuable research in hybrid modelling and artificial intelligence integration to process intensification at K.U. Leuven.

Interreg Maas-Rijn

How to successfully navigate the Interreg Meuse-Rhine program?

Table host: Frederik Loy

How to make the most of Interreg Meuse-Rhine, a cross-border cooperation programme connecting partners from Flanders, the Netherlands, and Germany. This session will explain how the programme works across the three participating regions, offer practical guidance and tips for applicants, and provide an opportunity to connect with other organisations interested in joint innovation, sustainability, and regional development projects.

Frederik Loy is the national contact point  within the Interreg Meuse-Rhine programme, providing guidance and support to stakeholders interested in cross-border cooperation projects.

 

Ready to join?

Register here

Download a detailed programme here (pdf)