Highlights of the Program

2 days business program:

Learn from real-world case studies by industry leaders.

SHOWCASING INNOVATION:

Discover the latest technology and techniques from across the industry.

leaders talk:

Hear from top-level experts about how to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.

MULTIPLE STREAMS:

A business program that is multi-disciplinary, giving you a broad view of the industry.

SMART TECHNOLOGIES:

Explore the latest smart and AI-driven solutions, and see how they can be used in your business.

roundtable discussion:

Join talks with industry peers. Share ideas, make connections, and find new partners.

Program

Day 1 :
MONDAY, JULY 6, 2026
08:00 - 08:50
REGISTRATION AND MORNING REFRESHMENTS
08:50 - 09:00
OPENING ADDRESS
09:00 - 09:25
FROM FEEDSTOCKS TO FINISHED PRODUCTS: POLICY LEVERS FOR NEXT GEN BIOPLASTICS
Benjamin Schwartz
American Chemistry Council

Benjamin Schwartz

American Chemistry Council

  • Federal and state policy frameworks accelerating renewable feedstock adoption in plastics manufacturing
  • Certification systems validating bio-content, including mass balance and segregated chain-of-custody models
  • Regulatory neutrality allowing bioplastics to compete fairly with other sustainable technologies
  • Strengthening alignment between industry, agriculture, and policymakers to support large-scale adoption of bioplastics
09:25 - 09:30
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCING POLICY SUPPORT FOR BIOPLASTICS
09:30 - 09:55
SUGARCANE PVA: ENGINEERING A WATER-SOLUBLE BIO-PROGRAMMED POLYMER
Jim Reinerston
Culture Organics LLC

Jim Reinerston

Culture Organics LLC

  • Converting sugarcane leaf waste into a water-soluble PVA resin meeting USDA and FDA standards
  • Demonstrating biologically programmed polymer behavior that performs like plastic before safe breakdown
  • Detailing applications across packaging, agriculture, PPE, and consumer goods using scalable materials
  • Differentiating the platform from PLA, PBAT and PHA through true end of life and circular value chains
09:55 - 10:00
Q&A SESSION ON WATER-SOLUBLE BIO-POLYMERS IN PRACTICE
10:00 - 10:25
RETHINKING HOW WE MAKE BIOPOLYMERS: FROM FERMENTATION TO PROGRAMMABLE PHAs
Yuliana Mihaylova
OliveBio

Yuliana Mihaylova

OliveBio

  • Assessing current limitations of PHAs including cost scalability consistency and material performance constraints
  • Introducing cell free biocatalysis as an alternative manufacturing approach enabling greater control and efficiency
  • Advancing programmable PHAs by tailoring molecular structure and properties for diverse real world applications
10:25 - 10:30
Q&A SESSION ON NEXT GEN BIOPOLYMER PRODUCTION AND APPLICATIONS
10:30 - 11:00
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
11:00 - 11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION ON ADVANCING A CIRCULAR ECONOMY BY PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS
  • Evaluating strategies to boost flexible plastic PCR demand and assess the viability of scalable paper-based alternatives worldwide
  • Demonstrating how youth-led plastic waste initiatives drive community engagement, behavior change, pollution reduction, and economic opportunity
  • Noting that leading sectors such as food and beverage and personal care drive adoption, while performance, cost, and scalability barriers hinder others
  • Scaling circular plastics in the United States through affordability, infrastructure, policy alignment, and consumer value creation

| Delterra

| African Community Education

| PreScouter, Inc.

| Solution Citizen

11:30 - 11:55
FOOD-CONTACT PACKAGING IN A CIRCULAR ECONOMY: COMPLIANCE BEFORE INNOVATION
Veronica Ramos
DQS Inc.

Veronica Ramos

DQS Inc.

  • Discussing contamination pathways in recycled and bio-based packaging and quantifying risk levels
  • Examining regulatory and certification hurdles that prevent sustainable materials from gaining approval
  • Identifying design and testing steps innovators must take to prevent recalls and compliance breaches
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON COMPLIANT FOOD PACKAGING IN THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY TODAY
12:00 - 12:25
SOLEIC: PLANT-BASED POLYURETHANES TO ELIMINATE PLASTIC POLLUTION
Ryan Simkovsky
Algenesis Labs

Ryan Simkovsky

Algenesis Labs

  • Exploring how plant-based chemistry replaces fossil feedstocks while matching high-performance polyurethane durability
  • Presenting molecular strength and verified biodegradation in soil and marine settings, supported by peer-reviewed scientific data
  • Covering applications in footwear, automotive foams, and molded goods with seamless integration into existing machinery
  • Understanding the carbon reduction benefits and the Bio-ISO™ breakthrough enabling fully plant-sourced production
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON ADVANCING BIOBASED POLYURETHANES FOR A CIRCULAR FUTURE
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH & VISITING THE SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS EXHIBITION
13:30 - 14:00
PANEL DISCUSSION ON NAVIGATING PACKAGING REGULATIONS AND THE PLASTIC WASTE DIRECTIVE
Speaker Image
  • Identifying key gaps in statewide EPR laws and how producer responsibility organizations can effectively address them
  • Unlocking innovative business models through packaging regulations, including refill, returnable, and service-based solutions
  • Addressing compliant takeout foodware gaps while collaborating with industry to meet evolving food service needs

| Emerald Packaging, Inc.

| Dietplastik Indonesia

| Clean Water Action

14:00 - 14:25
EU APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS: A LEGAL OVERVIEW
Pavlina Chopova-Leprêtre
Mayer Brown

Pavlina Chopova-Leprêtre

Mayer Brown

  • Providing a high-level overview of the EU policy framework for sustainable plastics under the Green Deal
  • Reviewing key EU strategies and action plans shaping the circular economy and plastics regulation
  • Examining adopted and upcoming legislation across the plastics life cycle from design to use
  • Addressing recycling targets, waste reduction rules, and green claims affecting plastic products
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON EU PLASTICS REGULATION ACROSS THE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE
14:30 - 14:55
MOLECULAR SORTATION OF BIO-BASED PACKAGING FROM PETROLEUM PLASTICS USING THERMAL HYDROLYSIS
Andrew Walsh
Jones Celtic Bioenergy

Andrew Walsh

Jones Celtic Bioenergy

  • Introducing a technology that separates bio-based packaging from petroleum plastics at an industrial scale
  • Highlighting valorization of hydrolyzed bio-packaging to generate biofuels at higher yields than food waste
  • Presenting a process for preventing microplastics when treating mixed loads of plastics, bio-packaging, and bio-waste
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON THERMAL HYDROLYSIS FOR CLEANER PACKAGING STREAMS
15:00 - 15:20
AFTERNOON COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
15:20 - 15:45
ENZYMATIC HYDROLYSIS: READY FOR PRIME-TIME PLASTIC RECYCLING
Humberto Kravetz
Entzimatiko

Humberto Kravetz

Entzimatiko

  • Leveraging enzymatic recycling as a scalable alternative to traditional mechanical and chemical recycling methods
  • Driving a lower-cost, lower-energy pathway supporting true circularity in plastics and sustainable material recovery
  • Expanding beyond PET to include polyolefins, ABS, and polystyrene as viable future recycling feedstocks
15:45 - 15:50
Q&A SESSION ON INDUSTRIAL-SCALE ENZYME-BASED PLASTIC RECYCLING
15:50 - 16:15
FROM REGENERATIVE CORN TO CIRCULAR BIO PET: ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
Éverton Simões Van-Dal
Sustainea

Éverton Simões Van-Dal

Sustainea

  • Highlighting Sustainea's process of converting regeneratively grown corn into high-performance plant-based glycols
  • Showcasing plant-based glycols enabling low-carbon PET across packaging, textiles, and more
  • Describing U.S.-manufactured, drop-in bio-PET integrated with current production and recycling
  • Quantifying emission reductions, stronger supply chains, and measurable circularity gains
16:15 - 16:20
Q&A SESSION ON SCALING LOW CARBON BIO PET VIA REGENERATIVE CORN
16:20 - 16:45
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCORPORATING PCR INTO HIGH-PERFORMING FILM PRODUCTS
Jay Bolus
IPG

Jay Bolus

IPG

  • Providing an overview of IPG including its product portfolio, engineered film solutions, and sustainability initiatives
  • Considering the advantages and limitations associated with incorporating PCR into high-performing engineered film products
  • Sharing success stories demonstrating the use of PCR in stretch and shrink film applications
16:45 - 16:50
Q&A SESSION ON INTEGRATING RECYCLED CONTENT IN FILM APPLICATIONS
16:50 - 17:15
BEYOND RECYCLABLE: THE SMALL-FORMAT PLASTIC SUSTAINABILITY GAP
Charlotte Wintermann
REearthable®

Charlotte Wintermann

REearthable®

  • Assessing how small-format plastics bypass sorting systems, undermining real-world recyclability outcomes
  • Examining how accelerated EPR regulations and consumer scrutiny drive measurable end-of-life accountability
  • Exploring next-generation materials matching polypropylene performance while enabling assured degradation
  • Aligning sustainable material adoption with manufacturing continuity, regulatory readiness, and long-term brand value
17:15 - 17:20
Q&A SESSION ON END-OF-LIFE PLASTICS ACCOUNTABILITY
17:20 - 17:45
RETHINKING CIRCULARITY FOR PET BOTTLES
Michail Dolgovskij
SI Group Inc.

Michail Dolgovskij

SI Group Inc.

  • Reviewing current PET recycling practices that rely on corrective additives to address degradation during thermal processing
  • Optimizing stabilizers designed to prevent degradation and improve the overall quality of rPET streams
  • Noting improvements in rPET color, intrinsic viscosity, and reduced acetaldehyde generation through stabilization
  • Advancing stabilizers as a solution for reducing toner dependence while mitigating impacts from cross-contaminants
17:45 - 17:50
Q&A SESSION ON IMPROVING PET RECYCLING QUALITY THROUGH STABILIZERS
17:50 - 18:50
NETWORKING DRINKS RECEPTION
Day 2 :
TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026
08:00 - 08:30
MORNING REFRESHMENTS
08:30 - 08:40
OPENING ADDRESS
08:40 - 09:10
PANEL DISCUSSION ON SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS
09:10 - 09:40
RESERVED PRESENTATION
09:40 - 10:05
DRIVING THE TRANSITION TO RENEWABLE FEEDSTOCKS
Jeanette Hanna
BASF

Jeanette Hanna

BASF

  • Evaluating biomass balance as a scalable approach to integrate renewable feedstocks early in production
  • Demonstrating reduction of carbon footprints while maintaining product quality and performance standards
  • Addressing current limitations of fully bio-based pathways across materials and enabling practical progress
  • Explaining how increased demand for renewables accelerates market transformation and sustainable chemistry
10:05 - 10:10
Q&A SESSION ON COMMERCIALIZING SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY SOLUTIONS
10:10 - 10:30
MORNING COFFEE BREAK IN THE EXHIBIT AREA
10:30 - 10:55
PET RECYCLING VIA CO-ROTATING TWIN-SCREW EXTRUSION
Edward Gay
KraussMaffei Corporation

Edward Gay

KraussMaffei Corporation

  • Examining co-rotating twin-screw extruders and their role in efficient PET recycling processes
  • Designing PET recycling process sections for optimized material quality and production throughput
  • Presenting lab-scale implementation and real-world examples transitioning to production scale
10:55 - 11:00
Q&A SESSION ON EXTRUSION-BASED PET RECYCLING SOLUTIONS
11:00 - 11:25
THE MESSY FUTURE OF FLEXIBLE PACKAGING
Kevin Kelly
Emerald Packaging, Inc.

Kevin Kelly

Emerald Packaging, Inc.

  • Examining the growing influence of regulations such as PCR requirements, alongside major questions around cost and responsibility
  • Exploring challenges emerging from EPR policies, with California offering a clear example of regulatory complexity
  • Noting real progress toward circularity through large-scale shifts from virgin polyethylene to post-consumer recycled materials in packaging
  • Highlighting remaining gaps in the recycling system, sustainability pressures, and why some companies are scaling back their commitments
11:25 - 11:30
Q&A SESSION ON PACKAGING REGULATION AND INDUSTRY CHANGE
11:30 - 11:55
WHY ADVANCED RECYCLING BY GLYCOLYSIS FOR “HARD” PET WASTE TRAYS AND FILMS
Jan Van Kisfeld
revalyu Resources GmbH

Jan Van Kisfeld

revalyu Resources GmbH

  • Identifying the PET packaging gap between bottle-grade recycling streams and under-recycled trays, films, and laminates
  • Addressing contamination and variability challenges, thereby limiting recovery of thermoforms and complex PET structures
  • Clarifying glycolysis as a depolymerization pathway, resetting PET into BHET and oligomers for purification and reuse
  • Focusing on higher capture rates and reduced virgin demand while supporting food-grade circularity through glycolysis
11:55 - 12:00
Q&A SESSION ON EXPANDING FOOD-GRADE CIRCULARITY FOR HARD PET WASTE
12:00 - 12:25
SCALING CERTIFIED CIRCULARITY: HOW ISCC PLUS ACCELERATES SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS TRANSFORMATION
Berk Büyükbas
International Sustainability and Carbon Certification

Berk Büyükbas

International Sustainability and Carbon Certification

  • Outlining ISCC PLUS certification requirements and compliance pathways for circular plastics value chains
  • Presenting ISCC PLUS chain-of-custody models enabling auditable recycled and bio-based feedstocks
  • Discussing global alignment and third-party verification for strengthening strategies and scaling circular solutions
12:25 - 12:30
Q&A SESSION ON TRACEABILITY, MARKET ADOPTION, AND CERTIFICATION OF CIRCULAR MATERIALS
12:30 - 13:30
NETWORKING LUNCH & VISITING THE SUSTAINABLE PLASTICS EXHIBITION
13:30 - 13:55
CRITICAL EPR DEVELOPMENTS SHAPING THE U.S. LANDSCAPE
Jason Bergquist
RecycleME

Jason Bergquist

RecycleME

  • Unpacking fee structure divergence and material category gaps across US EPR programs
  • Tracing eco-modulation levers rewarding life cycle assessments and recycled content adoption
  • Navigating fragmented EPR timelines and fee reporting cycles to build defensible producer strategies
13:55 - 14:00
Q&A SESSION ON EPR HARMONIZATION AND COMPLIANCE CHALLENGES
14:00 - 14:25
SCALING SUSTAINABLE PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT WITH ML
Rajan Manocha
Materia Bioworks Inc.

Rajan Manocha

Materia Bioworks Inc.

  • Outlining the technical and regulatory challenges brands face when developing products with bioplastics
  • Assessing material variability, processing limits, and performance risks affecting scale-up decisions
  • Using data and machine learning to evaluate materials before physical trials
  • Sharing real-world examples showing faster development cycles and reduced pilot failures
14:25 - 14:30
Q&A SESSION ON USING ML TO SCALE BIOPLASTICS DEVELOPMENT
14:30 - 14:55
FROM WASTE TO 100 PERCENT RECYCLED FIBER PLASTIC COMPOSITE PANELS
Alfredo Faubel
Miura Board®

Alfredo Faubel

Miura Board®

  • Transforming mixed and contaminated plastic scrap directly into durable composite panels through Miura Board’s upcycling process
  • Eliminating water use with a dry manufacturing approach while reducing the environmental footprint of production
  • Assessing durable recycled panels as a pathway to circular building materials through full recyclability and closed-loop potential
14:55 - 15:00
Q&A SESSION ON UPCYCLING PLASTICS INTO CIRCULAR COMPOSITE PANELS
15:00 - 15:25
FROM PLASTIC WASTE TO RENEWABLE FEEDSTOCK: DEFINING AND SCALING TRUE CIRCULARITY
Nick Spina
Denovia, Inc.

Nick Spina

Denovia, Inc.

  • Defining true circularity and distinguishing closed-loop recovery from downcycling and energy recovery
  • Reviewing advanced depolymerization and its role in producing food-grade, virgin-equivalent outputs
  • Outlining how brands, procurement, and regulators can create credible demand signals for investment
  • Identifying operational, financial, and partnership factors for scaling advanced recycling to reliable systems
15:25 - 15:30
Q&A SESSION ON COMMERCIALIZING TRUE CIRCULARITY IN PLASTICS
15:30 - 15:45
FEEDBACK AND RAFFLE DRAW
15:45 - 16:00
CLOSING REMARKS

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