Renewable Materials Conference 2026 to Spotlight Defossilisation and Renewable Carbon Solutions
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Nova-Institute's Renewable Materials Conference will bring together industry leaders, policymakers and innovators in Germany to discuss renewable carbon, fossil-free plastics and the future of sustainable chemicals.
As industries accelerate efforts to reduce dependence on fossil resources, the Renewable Materials Conference (RMC) 2026, organised by nova-Institute, will bring together global stakeholders to discuss the transition towards renewable carbon and fossil-free materials.
Scheduled to take place from 22–24 September 2026 in Siegburg/Cologne, Germany, with an online participation option, the conference will be held under the theme "Defossilisation through Innovation."
Renewable Carbon Gains Importance Beyond Renewable Energy
While renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, batteries and hydrogen continue to replace fossil fuels in the energy sector, industries such as chemicals and plastics require carbon as a fundamental raw material for manufacturing.
The conference highlights the concept of renewable carbon, where fossil-based carbon is replaced with carbon derived from biomass, carbon dioxide (CO₂), or recycling. This transition, referred to as defossilisation, is presented as a complementary strategy to the decarbonisation of the energy sector in achieving a circular and net-zero economy.
According to nova-Institute, several renewable chemicals, materials and technologies are already commercially available or under development, with wider deployment dependent on supportive policy frameworks and continued innovation.
Conference Programme
The 2026 edition will feature an extensive technical programme covering renewable materials, circularity and sustainable industrial transformation.
Key highlights include:
- 75 expert presentations
- 20 panel discussions
- A high-level opening panel on "Quadruple System Shock as Catalysts for Industrial Transformation"
- 17 interactive workshops
- 41 exhibition booths
- Networking opportunities for an expected 400–500 participants
- Business matchmaking sessions
- Three evening networking events
Innovation Award
The conference will also host the Renewable Material of the Year 2026 award, sponsored by Covestro.
Six shortlisted innovations will compete through live presentations before delegates vote to select the winning renewable material or technology.
Topics on the Agenda
Conference discussions will cover:
- Renewable carbon strategies
- Defossilisation of the chemical industry
- Fossil-free plastics
- Renewable chemicals and materials
- Circular economy solutions
- Biodegradation
- Lignin valorisation
- Market development
- Certification frameworks
- Policy support for renewable materials
The event aims to provide a platform for collaboration between chemical manufacturers, plastics producers, brand owners, start-ups, investors and policymakers working to advance renewable carbon solutions.