[pageLogInLogOut]

#Research & Development

1 Gt of fossil carbon per year to be replaced by renewable carbon from biomass, CO2 and recycling

The upcoming Renewable Materials Conference, 23-25 May in Siegburg/Cologne (Germany) promises to be a one-of-a-kind event that provides a platform for showcasing the impressive achievements in the field of renewable materials. The conference will bring together experts, stakeholders, and industry leaders to discuss latest developments and share their visions and strategies for the future.

Although experts project lower growth rates for the chemical and plastics industries in the coming decades, global demand for embedded carbon – the carbon in molecules – is expected to increase significantly to 1.15 Gt of carbon per year by 2050. Today, approximately 88% of embedded carbon comes from fossil feedstocks, including oil, natural gas and coal. To achieve a fully defossilised economy, this demand must be met exclusively by renewable carbon sources. And there only are three sources of renewable carbon: biomass, the direct use of CO2 and the recycling of carbon already in our technosphere.

Renewable Materials Conference 2023

Set to take place from 23-25 May 2023, the Renewable Materials Conference brings together the brightest stars of the renewable materials sector in Siegburg/Cologne (Germany). More than 500 participants are expected to attend the meeting point for global leaders in industry, science, and politics. With the unique concept of uniting all renewable materials solutions at one event hits the mark: “The Renewable Materials Conference has established itself as one of the most important conferences for renewable materials worldwide,” says Michael Carus, CEO of nova-Institute and spokesperson for the event. “We are proud to bring together global leaders in industry, science, and politics to shape the future of renewable materials and create a more sustainable world for generations to come.”

© 2023 nova institute
© 2023 nova institute


All information and registration for the event is available at: http://www.renewable-materials.eu

Top speakers from world-renowned companies, pioneering start-ups, high-profile research and politics will present and discuss a diverse range of innovative solutions based on biomass, CO2 and recycling in 80 presentations (main and parallel sessions), 20 panel discussions and several expert workshops. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the innovative technologies and solutions that are driving progress in renewable materials, and will learn about the latest trends and emerging opportunities.

More than 40 top-class exhibitors are expected at a new and perfectly suited location – the conference center “Rhein Sieg Forum” in Siegburg near Bonn and Cologne (Germany), easily accessible by high-speed train (ICI) from Brussels or Frankfurt, for example. A matchmaking area throughout the three days, long lunch breaks and three evening meeting points guarantee comprehensive and effective networking. Online networking starts two weeks before the event.

With a focus on collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing, the conference will provide a platform for attendees to engage in productive discussions and forge new partnerships. Participants will leave with a better understanding of the current state of renewable materials and a clear sense of the exciting possibilities that lie ahead.

Join us at the Renewable Materials Conference in Siegburg/Cologne, Germany from May 23-25, 2023, and be a part of the movement towards a more sustainable chemical, material and plastics industry.

Six Materials Nominated for the Innovation Award “Renewable Material of the Year 2023”

New materials will enable sustainable products in areas such as textiles, cosmetics, packaging, as well as elastic and biodegradable materials for a variety of applications. Participants will vote for the winners.

One way to overcome the industry’s dependence on fossil carbon is to replace crude oil and natural gas with renewable carbon within the existing structures of the chemical industry. Other ways require innovation, the development of new processes, building blocks and materials. This means a new way of thinking about chemistry and materials. Ready-to-use, fossil-free, sustainable material solutions with a low carbon footprint are in rapidly growing demand. Innovative brand owners are looking for such solutions, especially those that will soon become mainstream.



With the innovation award “Renewable Material of the Year 2023”, nova-Institute, as organiser, and Covestro, as sponsor, aim to recognise particularly exciting and promising solutions that contribute to replacing fossil carbon from the ground. The call for submissions was answered by 30 companies. The advisory board and the nova experts had a hard time selecting the six most exciting and nominating them for the award.

On the second day of the conference, the nominated companies will present their products and all 500+ conference participants will vote for the three winners on site and online. An exciting competition for you to be a part of.

All information here: https://renewable-materials.eu/award-application/

Sponsoring, Exhibition and Company Events

The innovation award is sponsored by Covestro (DE), Platinum Sponsor is UPM Biochemicals (FI). Many thanks to our Gold Sponsors Alfa Laval (SE), CovationBio (US), GS Biotech (CN), iff (US), NESTE (FI), Sappi (NL/ZA), TUEV Austria (AT), Sugar Energy (CN) as well as our Bronze sponsors BASF (DE), DIN CERTCO (DE), FKuR (DE), GEA (DE), Heraeus (DE) and Sulzer (CH). Finally, we thank Borealis (AT) as the conference beer-on-tap sponsor.

© 2023 nova institute
© 2023 nova institute


Partners

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), BBIA (UK), BCNP Consultants (DE), C.A.R.M.E.N. (DE), CLIB – Cluster Industrial Biotechnology (DE), EEN - Enterprise Europe/Zenit (EU) European Bioplastics (EU), FNR – Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (DE), GO!PHA (International), In4Climate.NRW (DE), IBB – Industrielle Biotechnologie Bayern Netzwerk (DE), ITA – Institut für Textiltechnik of RWTH Aachen (DE), kunststoffland NRW (DE), ÖGUT – Österreichische Gesellschaft für Umwelt und Technik (AT), Plastics Europe (DE) and Renewable Carbon Initiative (International).



More News from TEXDATA International

#ITM 2026

ITM 2026: The new geography of textile production

New production hubs are emerging across North Africa and Central Asia, while Türkiye is accelerating its transformation toward higher-value, technology-driven and more sustainable textile manufacturing.

#Research & Development

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

#Knitting & Hosiery

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

#Associations

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

More News on Research & Development

#Research & Development

MELANGE starts with a co-creative design workshop at Aalto University to shape the visual identity of this new project transforming colouration in textiles

Over the next three years, MELANGE will lower the environmental impact of interior textile production by moving colour design to the beginning of the manufacturing process. This Horizon Europe project officially started on 1 August 2026, and will be publicly launched on 27 August 2026.

#Research & Development

Outdoor Industry Association completes Clean Heat CoLab initiative

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) has completed its multi-year Clean Heat CoLab initiative, bringing together outdoor brands and technology experts to accelerate the adoption of electrified process heating in textile manufacturing. The collaboration focused on reducing emissions from thermal processes such as dyeing, washing and finishing, which remain among the most carbon-intensive stages of textile production.

#Research & Development

Europe is committed to recycling end-of-life wind turbine blades

Starting in 2026, Europe’s wind energy industry has committed itself to ensuring that wind turbine blades do not end up in landfills once they reach the end of their service life. The EU-funded research project REWIND is exploring ways to reuse this composite waste. The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) are one of 13 project partners from seven countries.

#Research & Development

ADD-ITC 2026 publishes preliminary conference program

The organizers of the Aachen-Dresden-Denkendorf International Textile Conference (ADD-ITC) 2026 have released the preliminary program for this year's event, which will take place on November 26–27, 2026, at the International Congress Center Dresden. The conference is expected to attract between 500 and 700 participants from industry, research, and academia.

Latest News

#Yarn & Fiber

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

#Carpets

DOMOTEX Southeast Asia 2026 - Building the Gateway to ASEAN's fast-growing flooring market

From 11–13 November 2026, the inaugural DOMOTEX Southeast Asia will take place at BITEC (Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre) in Bangkok, Thailand. Jointly organized by GLOBUS Events Limited and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., with Worldex G.E.C. Co., Ltd. as the local partner, the exhibition marks the expansion of the internationally recognized DOMOTEX brand into Southeast Asia. As the newest addition to the global DOMOTEX portfolio, the exhibition has been developed specifically to serve the rapidly evolving ASEAN market, creating a dedicated business event for the flooring and interior finishing industry.

#Sustainability

Execs help steer Cascale’s consumer goods agenda in Athens

The 2026 Cascale Annual Meeting, taking place September 15–17 in Athens, Greece, will convene leaders from across the global consumer goods value chain to tackle one of the industry’s defining questions: how to accelerate meaningful, system-wide transformation. Guiding those conversations as this year’s co-chairs are Sean Cady, vice president, global sustainability, responsibility, trade, and government affairs at VF Corporation, and Dr. Delman Lee, vice chair at TAL Apparel Limited.

#Textile processing

YKK launches no. 3 size of QuickFree® click-TRAK® magnetic zipper globally

YKK Corporation (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Koichi Matsushima; hereafter, YKK) has begun the global rollout of the No. 3 size of its QuickFree® click-TRAK® Magnetic zipper, expanding availability beyond China for the first time. While maintaining the same functionality and ease of operation, the No. 3 size is approximately 60% the size of the No. 5 size *1. This enables applications in lightweight garments, sportswear, hooded apparel, and other similar uses.

TOP