Renewable Materials Conference 2026 to bring together 400–500 international experts to examine defossilisation, fossil-free materials and emerging technologies

Fossil fuel risks are becoming increasingly visible even as chemical companies compete for access to reliable and low-cost fossil feedstocks. The Renewable Materials Conference 2026 will examine how industries can reduce dependence on fossil carbon and accelerate the transition towards renewable carbon sources.

Fossil feedstocks such as crude oil, natural gas and coal are associated with climate change, supply insecurity, price volatility, linear production systems and challenges related to resilience and strategic autonomy. The conference will bring together scientists, companies, policymakers and other stakeholders working on renewable carbon technologies and strategies.

Chemical Industry Faces the Renewable Carbon Transition

According to the conference organisers, fossil fuels have reached their peak while renewable energy has become competitive, creating pressure for fossil fuel use to decline.

For industries such as chemicals and plastics, carbon remains an essential component in the production of many everyday products. Unlike the energy sector, these industries cannot be fully decarbonised and instead need to pursue defossilisation by replacing fossil carbon with renewable sources.

The transition involves carbon derived from biomass, CO₂ and recycling.

Thousands of scientists and companies, ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations, have been developing technologies, scaling solutions and policy strategies aimed at supporting this transition. Policymakers are also introducing instruments intended to facilitate the shift towards renewable carbon.

Renewable Materials Conference 2026

The Renewable Materials Conference has developed into a major meeting point for stakeholders involved in chemical industry defossilisation. The event will address current technological developments, market conditions and policy frameworks influencing renewable carbon.

From 22 to 24 September 2026, approximately 400 to 500 international experts will gather in Siegburg/Cologne, Germany.

The programme will feature:

• 75 presentations
• 20 panel discussions
• 17 interactive workshops
• An exhibition
• Networking opportunities
• Three evening events

A matchmaking tool will also enable participants to connect and arrange meetings.

Key Conference Themes

22 September: Defossilisation of the Chemical Industry

The opening day will focus on Renewable Carbon Strategies, along with new pathways for fine and speciality chemicals and developments in lignin and CO₂ utilisation.

The day will conclude with a panel discussion titled “Quadruple System Shock as Catalysts for Industrial Transformation”, addressing an important aspect of industrial defossilisation.

23 September: Fossil-Free Plastics

The second day will examine:

• Market and application development
• Coatings, adhesives and binders
• CO₂-based polymers
• Recycled polymers and plastics
• Automotive
• Consumer goods
• Packaging
• Textiles
• Toys

The day will conclude with the election of the “Renewable Material of the Year 2026” Innovation Award, sponsored by Covestro.

24 September: Market Frameworks and Renewable Carbon

The final conference day will address the conditions required to support renewable carbon, including:

• Creating market pull
• Vision and strategy
• Biodegradation: science and policy progress
• Applications
• System solutions

Broad Representation Across the Value Chain

The conference brings together stakeholders from different parts of 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 make up the remaining 3%.

Participating organisations include ADM International, Alfred Talke, Asahi Kasei, BASF, Beckers Group, Beiersdorf, Biotope Ventures, BLOOM, Braskem, Cargill, Clariant, Colesco Capital, Covestro, Crop Energies, DSM-Firmenich, Dutch Ministry, ENI, European Commission, Evonik, FECC, Futerro, Henkel, Heraeus, Holland Colours, Honeywell, IFF, ING Bank, Kemira, Kimberly-Clark, Klüber Lubrication, Kraton Chemical, Lactips, Lego, Michelin, Mosca, Neste, Nippon Shokubai, Omya, On, Peter Greven, Rheinmetall, Schneider Electric, SBTi, Stahl, SYENSQO, T.EN, UB FIGG, UPM, Verbio and Volvo.

The conference will take place from 22 to 24 September 2026 in Siegburg/Cologne, Germany, with the programme covering renewable carbon strategies, fossil-free plastics, recycling, CO₂ utilisation, market development, biodegradation and system solutions.