Main Stage
Wednesday, March 12, 2025 to
Thursday, March 13, 2025
The Main Stage program
The Main Stage is a highlight of the Circular Valley Convention – a place where leading minds from business, science, politics and society present their visions and pioneering projects. Here you can find out first-hand how the future of the circular economy is being shaped. With inspiring keynotes and trend-setting impulses, renowned experts offer valuable insights into innovative strategies, transformative technologies and global trends. Be inspired by the perspectives of top speakers and experience how ideas are taking shape that will change our world for good.
Thursday, March 13, 2025
09:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Opening & welcome
09:30 - 09:40 a.m.
Opening
Format: Opening
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Chérine de Bruijn
Moderator
Dr. Carsten Gerhardt
Chairman
Circular Valley Foundation
Prof. Manfred Renner
Head of Institute
Fraunhofer UMSICHT
09:40 - 09:45 a.m.
Video greeting from the Lord Mayor of Düsseldorf
Format: Opening
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Stephan Keller
Lord Mayor
City of Düsseldorf
09:45 - 10:00 a.m.
Greeting from the Environment Minister of NRW
Format: Keynote
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Oliver Krischer
Ministry of the Environment, Nature and Transport of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Lecture information
TBA
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Keynotes - Enabling Circular Economy
10:00 - 10:15 a.m.
Perspective on Circular Economy in the Context of Federal Policy
Format: Speech
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Susanne Szech-Koundouros
Head of the sub-department: Raw Materials Policy, Circular Economy, Resource Protection and Environmental Law
Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection
Lecture information
Circular economy (CE) is a key issue for the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Action. It is an important economic factor, it is a driver for innovation, it is a significant contribution to Climate protection and last but not least is an important pillar of the diversification of our raw material supply."
10:15 - 10:30 a.m.
Circular Economy as an Opportunity for Strengthening NRW’s Economic Future
Format: Speech
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Susanne Hagenkort-Rieger
Director General of Economic Policy
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Lecture information
The circular economy is not only an environmental necessity, but also a strategic advantage. In North Rhine-Westphalia, industrial change and sustainability go hand in hand. By implementing circular economy principles, we want to secure jobs, promote innovation and maintain our state as a leading economic hub. Find out how North Rhine-Westphalia is turning the circular economy into a competitive advantage for industry.
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Shaping the Future: Transforming the Chemical Industry into a Multidimensional Circular Economy
Format: Speech
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Lars M. Blank
Professor
RWTH Aachen University
Lecture information
The WSS research center catalaix is spearheading the development of new recycling technologies that will drive the transition to a multidimensional circular economy. Through catalysis, we enable the sustainable processing of complex waste streams and the integration of renewable energy into production processes.
10:45 - 11:00 a.m.
The Circular Economy in Flanders – an overview
Format: Speech
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Bart Brosius
General Representative of Flanders in Germany
Embassy of Belgium
Lecture information
Join us for an insightful presentation on the vital role of circular economy in Flanders/Belgium and international cooperation in driving sustainable growth and industrial competitiveness. The Government of Flanders is actively supporting businesses and industries in this transition through strategic policies, investments, and cross-border collaborations. Flanders and Nordrhein-Westfalen, both recognized as circular economy frontrunners, are working closely together to develop innovative solutions that enhance resource efficiency, reduce waste, and create new economic opportunities.
11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Session 4 - Electronic Products in a Circular Economy
10:30 - 10:45 a.m.
Speech Dr. Thomas Stoffmehl: TBA
Duration: 00:15 h
Format: Speech
Session: Electronic Products in a Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Thomas Stoffmehl
Spokesman of the Executive Board
Vorwerk SE & Co. KG
Lecture information
TBA
11:00 - 11:15 a.m.
The 3Cs - levers for sustainable value creation
Format: Speech
Session: Electronic Products in a Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Hendrik Wehr
CEO Vorwerk Engineering
Vorwerk Elektrowerke GmbH & Co. KG
Lecture information
Circularity, Climate, Community - Spotlights insigths to a company targeting next level sustainability
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.
Circular Economy in The Automotive Industry - The BMW Perspective
Format: Speech
Session: Electronic Products in a Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Markus Seidel
Senior Expert, Head of Research Circular Economy
BMW Group
Lecture information
The vision of creating a Circular Economy is an integral part of the European Green Deal. Several regulatory initiatives are underway that will have a significant impact on the automotive industry. The presentation will provide an overview of how the BMW Group positions itself and which areas of innovation should be addressed to improve circularity. Furthermore, the presentation will highlight how the company is proactively engaged at the EU level through automotive associations and technology platforms in Brussels to drive change through complex collaborations.
11:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Lenovo & the Circular Economy
Format: Speech
Session: Electronic Products in a Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Christian Eigen
Deputy CEO
Medion AG (Lenovo)
Lecture information
With a vision for a net-zero future, Lenovo knows the transition to a circular economy is critical. During this presentation, Medion AG CFO Christian Eigen will share how Lenovo's vision to deliver smarter technology for all extends to its circular economy practices that include Smarter Circular Design, Smarter Circular Use, and Smarter Circular Return activities.
11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Apple’s Roadmap to 2030
Format: Speech
Session: Electronic Products in a Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Jonas Dreger
Senior Manager Environmental Initiatives EMEIA
Apple
Lecture information
We are committed to an ambitious, science-driven plan to achieve our Apple 2030 goal. Our efforts center on decarbonizing the three largest sources of emissions—materials, electricity, and transportation—throughout our value chain. We’re progressing toward our goal of relying solely on responsibly sourced recycled or renewable materials for our products and packaging.
12:00 - 12:15 p.m.
Energy Demand in Europe: A Comprehensive Study on the Impacts of Automotive Electrification, Energy Storage Solutions, Circular Economy Initiatives, and Imported/Exported Emissions
Format: Speech
Session: Electronic Products in a Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr. Simon Lux
Managing Director
Fraunhofer Research Institution for Battery Cell Production FFB
Lecture information
This study indicates that while LFP cells exhibit the lowest energy consumption from primary materials in the production process, NMC cells have significantly higher energy demands. The emissions and energy intensity of NMC-based batteries could be alleviat-ed through effective recycling and circular economy strategies, particularly in the long term. Sodium batteries, as an alternative to LIB batteries, show lower energy demands across all electrification scenarios; however, all scenarios highlight a substantial reliance on mining and refining processes, underscoring the necessity for enhanced recycling capacities to reduce energy consumption.
Overall, a primary raw material cycle results in imported emissions, whereas a circular economy approach in the 2050s leads to localized European emissions, necessitating additional energy sources within.
12:15 - 01:30 p.m.
Session 5 - Circular Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
12:15 - 12:30 p.m.
Sustainable AI / AI for sustainability
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
Language: English
Speaker
Sean Jones
Head of Sustainability
Microsoft
Lecture information
How does Microsoft tackle sustainability?
12:30 - 12:45 p.m.
Enhance Circularity with SAP Technology Solutions
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
Language: English
Speaker
Darren West
Global Head of Circular Economy solutions
SAP
Lecture information
Today, SAP uses generative AI to optimize network capacity and reduce energy consumption. Moving forward, we aim to use it to address Scope 3 emissions and enhance ESG reporting and calculation processes. SAP is now developing the ability to optimize circularity performance, by optimizing materials against both profit and planet objectives. Hear from Darren West and learn on how to enhance circularity with SAP technology solutions
12:30 - 12:45 p.m.
Speech: TBA
Duration: 00:15 h
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
Language: English
Speaker
TBA
Position
Company
Lecture information
TBA
12:45 - 01:00 p.m.
Augmented Engineering: Supercharge Circularity by Artificial Intelligence
Format: Fireside Chat
Session: Circular Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Dorothea Pohlmann
CTO Sustainability
Capgemini Engineering
Lecture information
Artificial intelligence (AI) is developing from a specialised application into a general-purpose technology. In the course of this, all engineering activities and products will be augmented. Whether people, processes, products or services: they will all reach new levels of intelligence and effectiveness, which offers great potential for sustainability.
01:00 - 01:15 p.m.
Traceability & Digital Product Passports – Empowering the circular economy
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Benedikt Brenken
Director R-Cycle
R-Cycle / ProData GmbH
Lecture information
Sustainability needs data! R-Cycle, the world’s first global tracing platform for plastic products and packaging, revolutionizes the circular economy by enabling seamless traceability throughout the entire lifecycle. Leveraging GS1 standards and a turnkey SaaS solution, R-Cycle ensures secure, efficient, and standardized data exchange across company boundaries. Thanks to global interoperability, all stakeholders can be seamlessly integrated, accessing and sharing precise, automated information on material composition and origin certification. The result? Unmatched transparency, cost savings, and regulatory compliance – empowering a truly sustainable future!
01:15 - 01:30 p.m.
Data Ecosystems and the Circular Economy
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr. Boris Otto
Director
Fraunhofer ISST
Lecture information
To seize the business and environmental opportunities of the circular economy, various stakeholders in the ecosystem needs to team up to share their data. Data spaces have emerged as the architecture approach to stimulate data sharing while contributing to the trust and sovereignty needs of data providers and users. The presentation presents industry examples, discusses the state of the art and gives an outlook to future developments.
01:30 - 03:30 p.m.
Session 6 - Circular Business Models Strategies
01:30 - 01:45 p.m.
Road to Zero Waste: How PreZero closes loops and transforms companies; communities towards sustainability
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Business Models Strategies
Language: English
Speaker
Marcus Sagitz
Managing Director Marketing & Corporate Affairs PreZero International
PreZero Stiftung & Co. KG
Lecture information
TBA
01:45 - 02:00 p.m.
Circular business model to accelerate the hydrogen economy
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Business Models Strategies
Language: English
Speaker
Liam Condon
CEO
Johnson Matthey plc
Lecture information
This presentation will explain how the principles behind the well-established circular business model for automotive catalysts can be combined with digital innovation to accelerate the energy transition.
02:00 - 02:15 p.m.
Metal recycling in the global competition
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Business Models Strategies
Language: English
Speaker
Henning Reuter
CEO
Siegfried Jacob Metallwerke
Lecture information
Although it is well known that metal recycling can save large amounts of energy and therefore CO2 emissions, there are numerous reasons why it is often not done. These include political framework conditions, but also a growing number of complex alloys or product designs. As a result, recycling is often at an economic disadvantage compared to primary raw materials. So what needs to be done?
02:15 -02:30 p.m.
Identification of Circular Value Pools
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Business Models Strategies
Language: English
Speaker
Marc Hetzer
Director, Business Consulting, Circular Ecosystems
EY Consulting GmbH
Lecture information
Discover how businesses can identify and leverage value pools that drive both economic and ecological benefits through a circular business approach
02:30 - 02:45 p.m.
Why digitalisation is becoming a game changer in the circular economy
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Business Models Strategies
Language: English
Speaker
Claudia Wegener
CIO
Interzero Circular Solutions Germany GmbH
Lecture information
Digitalisation plays a key role in the transformation towards a genuine circular economy. In her presentation, Claudia Wegener will show how digital technologies are making the circular economy more efficient, sustainable and future-proof. She will highlight how digitalisation is helping to increase transparency in material flows, raise recycling efficiency and optimise processes in the circular economy.
02:45 - 03:00 p.m.
Tailored Solutions for Pallet Pooling
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Business Models Strategies
Language: English
Speaker
Dipl. Ing. Gürsel Zorlu
Chief Growth Officer
PGS Group
Lecture information
PGS Reverse, PGS Group's pooling service, is an innovative system designed for efficient pallet collection, maintenance, storage, and seamless reuse within the logistical flow, all managed from the nearest PGS facility.
This pooling service embodies our commitment to sustainability and efficiency, offering a tailored approach to pallet management that not only meets the logistical needs of businesses but also supports environmental sustainability through the reuse of resources. By leveraging our extensive network and expertise, we ensure that pallets are where they need to be, exactly when they're needed, minimizing waste and optimizing supply chain operations.
03:00 - 03:15 p.m.
Circular economy solutions in SME's in developing countries
Format: Fireside Chat
Session: Circular Business Models Strategies
Language: English
Speaker
Smail Alhilali
Chief, Division of Circular Economy & Green Industry
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Lecture information
UNIDO promotes circular economy solutions to green industrial supply chains and SME's in developing countries. Despite the changing business environment and the multiple crisis, SME's in developing countries are demonstrating the relevance of circular solutions to safeguard the people and the planet. From design for circularity in textiles, plastics, electronics and construction to chemical leasing business models, UNIDO supports developing countries to transform the manufacturing sector and industrial supply chains to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.
03:15 - 03:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Plastic sorting from a different perspective
Format: Panel Discussion
Session: Circular Business Models Strategies
Language: English
Speaker
Axel Möhring
CEO
energenta ersatzbrennstoffe gmbh
Christoph Mundri
Director
Röber Institut GmbH
Tim Stäbisch
Plant Manager
APTIV SERVICES DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
Dr. Carsten Gerhardt (Moderator)
Chairman
Circular Valley Foundation
Lecture information
What do an automotive supplier, a waste disposal company and a seed purification specialist have in common?
A real-life recycling use case - spontaneous and pragmatic.
03:30 - 04:15 p.m.
How to make plastic packaging circular? Opportunities and Challenges in Medium-Sized Businesses
03:30 - 04:15 p.m.
Panel Discussion "How to make plastic packaging circular? Opportunities and Challenges in Medium-Sized Businesses"
Format: Panel Discussion
Session: How to make plastic packaging circular? Opportunities and Challenges in Medium-Sized Businesses
Language: English
Speaker
Andreas Vogt
Managing Director
Vogt Plastics
Jens Stadter
CEO
Jokey SE
Gunda Rachut
Executive Board
Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR)
Matthias Lesch
Managing Director
Pöppelmann Holding GmbH & Co. KG
Georg Pescher
Managing Director DBNL
Alpla
Prof. Dr. Thomas Müller-Kirschbaum (Moderator)
Chief Scientist
Circular Valley
Lecture information
Plastic packagings play a key role in sustainable consumption, reducing food waste and conserving resources. At the same time, these same packaging solutions are also under intense social and political scrutiny - primarily due to waste discharges into the environment and fossil-based raw materials. And so the predominantly medium-sized companies are facing up to three transformative processes: Optimized design with consistent recyclability, a changed raw material base away from fossil-based virgin material towards recyclates and correspondingly adapted efficient production processes - all within the framework of comprehensive packaging regulation. The panel discussion will focus on the challenges, responsibilities and milestones of this transformation.
04:15 - 06:00 p.m.
Session 7 - Circular Logistics
04:15 - 04:30 p.m.
Port of Duisburg: Hub of the circular economy - How the world's largest inland port is contributing to the transformation
Format: Fireside Chat
Session: Circular Logistics
Language: English
Speaker
Markus Bangen
CEO
Port of Duisburg
Lecture information
The circular economy needs more than innovative ideas - it needs efficient logistics and central hubs that enable the sustainable flow of resources.
As the world's largest inland port, the Port of Duisburg plays a key role in this transformation.
The presentation will shed light on how the Port of Duisburg, as a logistical centerpiece, is driving forward the circular economy.
Optimized infrastructure and targeted company relocations are setting the course for a sustainable future.
The crucial importance of central logistics hubs for the success of the circular economy will be emphasized.
04:30 - 04:45 p.m.
The role of logistics in the journey from linear to circular
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Logistics
Language: English
Speaker
Katja Busch
CCO DHL and Head of CSI (DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation)
DHL
Lecture information
Logistics serve as a critical enabler towards achieving circularity. Driving supply chains from linear to circular requires finetuned logistics to support brands and manufacturers in this transition - learn more about the role of logistics, the meaning of "the 5Rs" and a few real-life examples.
04:45 - 05:00 p.m.
The Role of Technology in Circular Logistics: Traceability and Efficiency
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Logistics
Language: English
Speaker
Dietmar Focke
CEO
Lufthansa Industry Solutions
Lecture information
From containers and packaging materials to fuel, millions of tons of valuable materials are lost each year within the global logistics chain. At the same time, resources are becoming scarcer, and the availability of international products and services is no longer taken for granted. Technologically optimized and intelligently managed supply chains create transparency, efficiency, and independence. Let us explore and discuss, using concrete examples, how IoT, blockchain, artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and ready-made IT solutions can help companies remain competitive while paving the way toward a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.
05:00 - 05:15 p.m.
Exemplary sustainability - the airport's path to a sustainable future
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Logistics
Language: English
Speaker
Pradeep Pinakatt
Managing and Labor Director
Flughafen Düsseldorf GmbH
Lecture information
Düsseldorf Airport is pursuing an ambitious sustainability strategy. Pradeep Pinakatt, Commercial Director of the airport and Labor Director, gives an exclusive insight into the comprehensive corporate sustainability approach of NRW's largest airport. "Excellent airport", 'Exemplary sustainability' and 'For employees and the region' - the airport's three strategic goals are the focus of his presentation. Pradeep Pinakatt outlines the airport's path to a sustainable future in harmony with the people in our region and the environment. The airport relies on technological innovations and innovative business models to minimize its emissions and the use of raw materials and energy. It promotes the avoidance, recycling or environmentally friendly disposal of waste and the sustainable use of renewable resources. At the same time, it supports its catering partners in the terminal in the selection and implementation of reusable offers for travelers. As a cooperation partner for universities and companies, the airport offers a platform for testing and promoting innovative, environmentally friendly technologies.
05:15 - 05:30 p.m.
From Fossil Fuels to Clean Mobility: The Role of Circular Economy in Financing the Transition of Commercial Transport
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Logistics
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Albrecht Haase
Spokesman of the Management Board
GEFA Bank GmbH
André Rolfes
Head of Sustainable Finance & CSR
GEFA Bank GmbH
Lecture information
Leasing models are highly dependent on the value retention of the leased asset. Battery electric vehicles currently suffer from rapid and steep depreciation over the lifetime of the vehicle. This reduces the attractiveness of transitional financing with these assets, as they carry significant risks for the bank or leasing institution.
Circular economy approaches that aim to close the loop on the value of BEVs support transition financing by increasing longevity and predictability.
05:30 - 05:45 p.m.
Logistic network design and digitization - how we get to a sustainable circular economy
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Logistics
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr. Uwe Clausen
Institute Director
Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML)
Lecture information
Efficient logistical structures and processes play a key role for a successful circular economy.
The talk provides insights from applied research on circular logistics, including digitization concepts.
05:45 - 06:00 p.m.
Wrap up / Closing Words
Format: Wrap Up
Session: Wrap Up
Language: English
Speaker
Chérine de Bruijn
Moderator
