Renewable Materials Conference 2026 to Focus on Chemical Defossilisation
The three-day conference in Siegburg/Cologne will bring together international experts to explore renewable carbon, fossil-free plastics and sustainable material solutions.
Chemical Industry Faces the Fossil Fuel Challenge
As the risks associated with fossil fuels become increasingly apparent, chemical companies continue to compete for access to reliable and affordable fossil resources. The Renewable Materials Conference 2026 highlights the need for industries to move beyond this dependency and accelerate their transition towards renewable carbon sources.
Fossil feedstocks such as crude oil, natural gas and coal are associated with climate change, supply insecurity, price volatility and a predominantly linear economic model. For Europe, limited access to low-cost crude oil also creates additional challenges for global competitiveness.
While the energy sector can pursue direct decarbonisation, industries such as chemicals and plastics continue to require carbon as a fundamental raw material for producing a wide range of everyday products. These sectors therefore need to pursue defossilisation by replacing fossil carbon with renewable carbon derived from biomass, CO₂ and recycling.
Renewable Carbon as the Way Forward
Thousands of scientists and companies, from start-ups to multinational corporations, are developing technologies, scaling solutions and policy strategies aimed at accelerating the transition towards renewable carbon.
Policy makers are also increasingly supporting this transition through a range of instruments designed to encourage new technologies and markets.
Against this backdrop, the Renewable Materials Conference has developed into a key international meeting point for the chemical defossilisation sector. The event brings together innovators, industry pioneers and decision makers to examine current solutions, emerging technologies and the policy frameworks shaping markets and competitiveness.
From 22 to 24 September 2026, between 400 and 500 international experts are expected to gather in Siegburg/Cologne, Germany. The programme includes 75 presentations, 20 panel discussions and 17 interactive workshops, alongside an exhibition, networking opportunities and three evening events.
A matchmaking tool will also allow participants to connect with other attendees and facilitate meetings.
Key Highlights of Renewable Materials Conference 2026
22 September: Defossilisation of the Chemical Industry
The opening day will focus on renewable carbon strategies and new pathways for fine and speciality chemicals, lignin and CO₂ utilisation.
The day will conclude with a panel discussion titled “Quadruple System Shock as Catalysts for Industrial Transformation”, examining a crucial aspect of industrial defossilisation.
23 September: Fossil-Free Plastics
The second day will explore market and application development across coatings, adhesives and binders, as well as CO₂-based polymers and recycled polymers and plastics.
Applications across automotive, consumer goods, packaging, textiles and toys will also be addressed.
The day will culminate in the election of the “Renewable Material of the Year 2026”, with the prestigious innovation award sponsored by Covestro.
24 September: Setting the Frame for Renewable Carbon
The final day will examine market pull, vision and strategy, followed by sessions focused on biodegradation.
Topics will include scientific and policy progress, applications and system solutions.
Diverse International Participation
The Renewable Materials Conference brings together stakeholders from across the renewable materials value chain.
Large enterprises and brands account for 39% of participants, followed by research institutes and universities at 17%, and start-ups and scale-ups at 15%. SMEs represent 11%, while associations, clusters and NGOs and policy makers each account for 8%. Investors represent the remaining 3%.
The registered participant list includes organisations such as ADM International, Asahi Kasei, BASF, Beiersdorf, Braskem, Cargill, Clariant, Covestro, DSM-Firmenich, European Commission, Evonik, Henkel, IFF, Kimberly-Clark, Lego, Michelin, Neste, Schneider Electric, UPM, Verbio and Volvo, among others.
Industry Support and Sponsorship
The conference is supported by organisations across industry, research and the broader renewable materials ecosystem.
UPM Biochemicals is supporting the event as Platin Sponsor, while Celluranics, GS Biomats, IFF, Leaf Biotech, L’Oreal and VERBIO are Gold Sponsors. DIN CERTCO, Peterson Solutions and TÜV Austria Belgium are supporting the conference as Silver Sponsors.
The “Renewable Material of the Year 2026” innovation award is sponsored by Covestro.
The event is also supported by industry and trade associations, non-profit organisations, research institutions and interest groups including AVK, BCNP, BIC – Bio-based Industries Consortium, BioBase, C.A.R.M.E.N., ChemCologne, ChemieClusterBayern, CLIB, CO2Value Europe, Enterprise Europe Network.NRW, European Bioplastics, FECC, GO!PHA, IBB Netzwerk, INAK, kunststoffland NRW, NRW.Energy4Climate, ÖGUT, Plastics Europe and the Renewable Carbon Initiative.
The Renewable Materials Conference 2026 will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss how renewable carbon technologies, market development and supportive policy frameworks can contribute to the defossilisation of the chemical and plastics industries.
