The Sustainable Chemicals Summit 2026 will bring together leaders from industry, government, academia and the investment community to explore how the UK can accelerate the transition to a more sustainable chemicals and materials sector.
As the UK seeks to strengthen industrial resilience, defossilise manufacturing and drive economic growth, the summit will examine the policies, technologies and partnerships needed to move sustainable chemical innovations from the laboratory to commercial reality.
This event is designed for chemical manufacturers, technology developers, policymakers, investors, researchers, innovation organisations and supply chain partners committed to building a globally competitive UK chemicals industry.
Agenda:
10:00 | Welcome | Jen Vanderhoven, BBIA
10:05 | State of the Nation | Tim Bowtell, Alliance Chemical Associations
10:30 | UK Packaging Materials Policy Landscape | Yogesh Kumar, Technical Lead, PackUK
10:45 | Sustainable Chemicals and Materials: Scaling Up from Innovation to Industrial Scale
The Great British Chemicals Project | Professor Peter Styring, University of Sheffield
The Sustainable Chemicals and Materials Manufacturing Hub | Greg Sulley, Industry and Partnerships Manager, University of Oxford
Bio-based Chemicals and Materials | Jen Vanderhoven, CEO, BBIA
A Downstream Chemicals Strategy | David Bott, Innovation Lead, Society for Chemicals Industries
Life Cycle Assessment for Scaling Sustainable Chemicals and Materials | Professor Rachael Rothman, University of Sheffield
12:00 Cluster Opportunities
BioIndustrial Cluster North | Tracey Preston-Taylor, YNYCA
Shaping the North-West through the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst | Neil Dixon, University of Manchester
Grangemouth as a Leading Hub for Sustainable Chemicals | Aileen Lamb, Scottish Enterprise
12:45 Lunch & Networking
13:30 Fireside Chat: An Industry Reality Check
Chaired by Anju-Massey Brooker, Royal Society Chemistry
Fiona Mischel, Associate Director, Strategic Development, Holiferm
Geoff Bryant, Entrepreneur in Residence, Besoz Centre for Sustainable Protein
14:00 Breakout Workshops
Participants join one of two breakout groups.
Group A: Creating Demand, Policy & Regulation | Led by Jen Vanderhoven, BBIA.
How do we create markets for sustainable chemicals?
What policy changes are needed within the next Parliament?
Group B: Investment & Scale-Up, Regional Growth & Skills | Led by Mark Corbett, Director, Biorenewables Development Centre and Alex Smith, Director of Biotechnology, CPI
How can we scale more sustainable chemical innovations in the UK?
How do we build more first-of-a-kind plants in the UK?
How do we create jobs and strengthen UK manufacturing clusters?
15:00 Breakout Workshop Feedback
15:30 The Big Vote
Participants vote on:
The Three Actions Government Should Prioritise
The Three Actions Industry Should Prioritise
16:00 Close