Take advantage of the extensive networking opportunities at the 2026 Renewable Materials Conference now
Taking place from 22 to 24 September 2026 in Siegburg/Cologne, Germany, the Renewable Materials Conference (RMC) is a global meeting place for the renewable carbon economy, held under the motto “Defossilisation through Innovation”
As in the last years, participants are invited to actively participate with talks, posters and booths, or to organise an expert workshop on policy, latest developments or technologies. Numerous networking breaks provide opportunities for in-depth exchange.
Taking place from 22 to 24 September 2026 in Siegburg/Cologne, Germany, the Renewable Materials Conference (RMC) is a global meeting place for the renewable carbon economy, held under the motto “Defossilisation through Innovation”. Once again, it will open its doors to all members of the entire value chain from producers and users of renewable carbon feedstocks, the chemical industry, the materials sector, product manufacturers to brand owners, as well as investors and policy makers. The focus of RMC, organised by nova-Institute, is to present leading solutions and innovations for replacing fossil carbon with biomass, CO₂ utilisation and recycling. More than 450 participants are expected to attend 75 presentations, 20 panel discussions and up to 16 workshops, and to profit from networking and discussions with experts of the sectors.
Interactive expert workshops on recent topic
The implementation of workshops in the three conference days in the last years has proven successful for exchange with other experts and potential clients. These workshops complement the two parallel session strands and create a dynamic space for open discussion and debate, giving a voice not only to speakers, but to all participants. In the last years, the workshops were hosted by industry initiatives such as the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) and the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), European policy makers, sustainability experts, industry members, research institutes and Horizon Europe projects. They discussed arguments, identified gaps and highlighted the advantages of the transformational shift of the industry from fossil to renewable.
In 2026, the floor is again open for workshop organisers. The spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Contact Michael Carus for more information and booking: [email protected]
First confirmed workshops:
- • Sarah Bernhardt, Lukas Horndasch & Henrik Basche, PtX Lab Lausitz (DE): Assessing Market-Pull Instruments for the EU Chemical Industry
- • Miriam Weber and Christian Lott, HYDRA Marine Science (DE), Pauline Ruiz and Asta Partanen, nova-Institute (DE): Rethinking Plastics in Agriculture and Forestry: The Role of Biodegradable Materials
- • Matthias Stratmann and Ángel Puente, nova-Institute (DE): Getting LCA Right for Renewable Carbon: Methodology Challenges in Recycling and CCU
- • Asta Partanen, Verena Roberts, Christopher vom Berg, Renewable Carbon Initiative (EU): Raising Awareness of Renewable Carbon – Global Developments and Communication Strategy
Rooms can be booked for 1.5 hours, the rate is 1,645 EUR (excl. 19% VAT). Included in the workshop fee is one three-day-conference ticket. Further information on the terms and conditions can be found here: https://renewable-materials.eu/workshops/
Two parallel session strands
This year’s topics range from defossilisation of the chemical industry and fossil-free plastics, to sustainable and renewable carbon feedstocks, fine chemicals, as well as circular economy & sustainable carbon cycles, and policy & framework. There will be a full-day parallel session on the topic of “Biodegradation – the organic cycle”. For the first time, this year will see the introduction of thematic blocks “Regenerative Business Models” and “Competitiveness & Strategy Autonomy”. As always, the conference participants will have the opportunity to vote for the prestigious innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year 2026”, sponsored by Covestro.
The call for abstracts to participate in the conference as speaker are still open until 16 March 2026: https://renewable-materials.eu/call-for-abstracts/
The first confirmed speakers are:
- • Tristan Brown, Molecule Group (USA): An industry-driven framework for enhancing sustainable chemicals and materials market access
- • Clayton Bunyard, Kimberley-Clark (USA): The way towards fully biodegradable hygiene products
- • Jerry Luo, Leaf Bio (CN): Next-Gen Aromatics: Furan as a Bio-Based Platform
- • John Ryan, Sinclair (UK): Fruitful Innovations: Compostable Labels and the Science of Stickiness
- • Pramod Shankar Kumbhar, Praj Matrix-R&D center (IN): From HA (Hyaluronic acid) to PHA (Polyhydroxy alkanoate)
- • Sanjay Wahal, Decarbonization (US): Mycelium-Based Binders and Packaging Materials: High-Performance, Circular Alternatives for Hygiene and Spill-Control Applications
More information on the topics can be found here: https://renewable-materials.eu/
Innovators are invited to submit an abstract for the award until 3 May 2026: https://renewable-materials.eu/award-application/
Also, submission for the poster exhibition is possible until 31 July 2026: https://renewable-materials.eu/call-for-posters/
Register as participant and profit from our early bird fees (20% until 15 March; 10% until 16 August): https://renewable-materials.eu/registration/
Exhibition area and sponsoring opportunity
Besides the parallel sessions and workshops, the conference will again be accompanied by a two-floor table-top exhibition where companies can showcase their technologies, products and services. Thanks to the numerous breaks in the conference programme, exhibitors can expect a lively stream of interested visitors. Booths can be booked until all spots are taken. Early booking is therefore recommended: https://renewable-materials.eu/exhibition-booking/
Sponsorship of RMC26 offers companies the opportunity to position themselves within the renewable chemicals and materials community and to engage with industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers. Sponsors benefit from visibility at the conference, opportunities to host private meetings or thematic workshops, and the chance to present technologies, products, and strategies within the two-floor exhibition area. Additional options include advertising in the conference journal. A range of flexible sponsorship packages is available and can be adapted to individual needs. As availability is limited, early booking is recommended. Further information on sponsorship options can be found on the conference website: https://renewable-materials.eu/sponsoring/
Thank you to RMC sponsors and partners
The nova-Institute would like to thank UPM Biochemicals (FI) for supporting the conference as Platin Sponsor, and Leaf Biotech (CN) and GS Biomats Co., ltd (CN) as Gold Sponsors. The innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year 2026” is sponsored by Covestro (DE).
The Renewable Materials Conference is supported by industry and trade associations, non-profit organisations, research institutions and interest groups that are thematically linked to the conference: AVK (DE), BCNP (DE), C.A.R.M.E.N.(DE), ChemCologne (DE), ChemieClusterBayern (DE), CLIB (DE), CO2Value Europe (EU), European Bioplastics (EU), IBB Netzwerk (DE), kunststoffland NRW (DE), NRW.Energy4Climate (DE), Plastics Europe (DE), Renewable Carbon Initiative (EU)
Source: nova-Institute, original text, 2026-01-29.