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.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025
10:00 - 10:45 a.m.
Opening & Welcome
10:00 - 10:20 a.m.
Opening
Format: Opening
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Chérine de Bruijn
Moderator
Wolfram N. Diener
Chairman of the Management Board
Messe Düsseldorf GmbH
Dr. Carsten Gerhardt
Chairman
Circular Valley Foundation
Prof. Manfred Renner
Head of Institute
Fraunhofer UMSICHT
10:20 - 10:25 a.m.
Greeting and video message from the Minister-President of NRW
Format: Opening
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Hendrik Wüst
Minister-President
NRW state government
10:15 - 10:25 a.m.
Greeting
Duration: 00:10 h
Format: Opening
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
TBA
Position
Company
10:25 - 10:40 a.m.
From concepts to practice: How to start the industrial "R"-Evolution - BDI Circular Economy
Format: Fireside Chat
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Claas Oehlmann
CEO
BDI-Initiative Circular Economy Federation of German Industries e. V.
Lecture information
The transition to a circular economic model requires a holistic and ambitious perspective that creates a secure framework for closing loops and new Business opportunities. The fact that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, continued to classify the circular economy as of straegic importance to industrial policy in her political guidelines for the years 2024 to 2029 is therefore correct. However, for the circular economy to become a real success factor for Europe, the circular "R"-Evulation has to be driven by companies and innovation networks embedded within an excelent scientifc environment.
10:40 - 10:45 a.m.
Greeting and video message from the Federal Minister for the Environment
Format: Opening
Session: Opening & Welcome
Language: English
Speaker
Steffi Lemke
Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection BMUV
Federal Government
10:45 a.m. - 01:30 p.m.
Keynotes - Enabling Circular Economy
10:45 - 11:00 a.m.
The value creation potential of circularity: opportunities for innovation, efficiency and resource conservation
Format: Keynote
Session: Keynotes – Enabling Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka
President
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft
Lecture information
The circular economy is not only ecologically necessary, but also offers economic advantages in light of global competition for resources. Waste contains significant quantities of valuable raw materials such as building materials, high-tech materials and precious metals. What opportunities does circularity offer and how can products be optimized for reuse and waste minimization? Innovative technologies, developed from the idea to the application in cooperation between applied research and industry, are key to addressing ecological challenges and securing access to valuable resources.
11:00 - 11:15 a.m.
Closing the Loop: BASF's Research-Driven Path to a Circular Economy
Format: Keynote
Session: Keynotes – Enabling Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Carla Seidel
Senior Vice-President
BASF SE
Lecture information
BASF's ambition is clear: to be the preferred chemical company enabling our customers' green transformation. We are committed to advancing a Circular Economy by increasing our use of recycled and renewable feedstocks, shaping new material cycles, and creating innovative business models. This presentation will illustrate how we contribute to closing and extending these loops by developing and implementing circular solutions for sourced materials. Additionally, we will discuss our efforts to optimize operations and provide resource-efficient products and services that support our customers on their circularity journeys.
11:15 - 11:30 a.m.
Circular Economy as the solution for Businesses to become future proof
Format: Keynote
Session: Keynotes – Enabling Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Rebecca Tauer
Team Lead Circular Economy
WWF Germany
Lecture information
Companies face the challenge of implementing Circular Economy strategies that are innovate, economically viable and impactful for global commons such as climate, biodiversity, and water. This session presents key methods, tools and success stories from WWF’s work with businesses, highlighting how circular strategies drive resilience and long-term value. It draws from WWF’s latest publication, which provides clear steps for companies of all sizes to develop and implement effective Circular Economy strategies.
11:30 - 11:45 a.m.
Innovations for a circular business transformation
Format: Keynote
Session: Keynotes – Enabling Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Ulrike Sapiro
Chief Sustainability Officer
Henkel
Lecture information
In this keynote, Ulrike Sapiro, Chief Sustainability Officer of Henkel, will explore the key contributions of Henkel's ongoing journey towards a circular business transformation. While companies are still learning and evolving, innovations help drive success in this transition, from the early design stage to the end of life of products, and beyond. Ulrike will make the argument that there is a business case to sustaining resource-efficiency in the long run and being a vocal player in driving policies and regulations that incentivize and reward circular business practices.
11:45 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
The Power of Partnerships: Accelerating the Circular Economy for Economic Growth
Format: Keynote
Session: Keynotes – Enabling Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Karin Huber-Heim
City of Vienna Endowed Professorship for Circular Economy & transformative business models
Circular Economy Forum Austria
Lecture information
The keynote explores how strategic collaborations can drive the transition to a circular economy, unlocking significant economic benefits. It will highlight key opportunities for businesses and governments to partner effectively, and demonstrate how such alliances can enhance resource efficiency and stimulate sustainable growth. It will elborate how leveraging partnerships can accelerate the shift to a circular economy and boost economic performance.
12:00 - 12:15 p.m.
10 years of circular economy implementation
Format: Fireside Chat
Session: Keynotes – Enabling Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Joe Murphy
Executive Lead - Business Network
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Lecture information
Circular economy requires real change to businesses and supply chains, which will take innovation, supportive policy and long-term investment. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has a network of over 200 organisations ranging from start-ups to global conglomerates that are making tangible progress today but are also running into barriers they can’t address without bigger market unlocks. After 10 years working with businesses at the forefront of this transition, Joe hopes to share a perspective on what is working and what isn’t, so we can focus attention on the areas where circular economy solutions are ‘in the money’ today and what actions are needed to unlock widespread commercial viability.
12:15 - 12:30 p.m.
Equipment Nexus in a Circular World
Format: Keynote
Session: Keynotes – Enabling Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Martin Sonnenschein
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Lecture information
The business of HEIDELBERG bridges various resource cycles spanning to the lifecycle of consumer products and packaging. The nexus of machines and consumables are key in implementing a circular economy in the printing and packaging industry. By using intelligent technologies and automation more efficient and sustainable production processes set the course for leaders in the industry to produce circular products.
12:30 - 12:45 p.m.
TBA
Duration: 00:15 h
Format: Speech
Language: Keynotes – Enabling Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
TBA
Position
Company
Lecture information
TBA
12:30 - 01:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion "Uniting Industries for a Circular Tomorrow"
Format: Panel Discussion
Session: Keynotes – Enabling Circular Economy
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Holger Hanselka
President
Fraunhofer Gesellschaft
Dr. Carla Seidel
Senior Vice President
BASF SE
Dr. Carsten Gerhardt
Chairman
Circular Valley Foundation
Joe Murphy
Executive Lead - Business Network
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Dr. Martin Sonnenschein
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Rebecca Tauer
Team Lead Circular Economy
WWF Germany
Karin Huber-Heim
City of Vienna Endowed Professorship for Circular Economy & transformative business models
Circular Economy Forum Austria
Lecture information
TBA
01:30 - 03:00 p.m.
Session 1 - Value Cycles for Plastics
01:30 - 01:45 p.m.
What does it take for a full plastics Circular Value Chain to be successful?
Format: Speech
Session: Value Cycles for Plastics
Language: English
Speaker
Jörg Deppmeyer
CEO
Der Grüne Punkt Holding GmbH & Co. KG - A member company of the Green Dot Group
Lecture information
Developing successful circular value chains for plastics requires a comprehensive approach in order to create synergies and efficiencies. From legislation to feedstock strategy, capacity planning, and the interaction between different recycling technologies, to securing resilient and performant markets for recycled plastics, all actors in the circular value chain have to engage and pursue a clear strategy. Laurent Auguste will address some of the challenges and opportunities from his first-hand experience as CEO of GreenDot.
01:45 - 02:00 p.m.
Solutions to close the loop on plastics - today and tomorrow
Format: Speech
Session: Value Cycles for Plastics
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Daniel Schwaab
SVP Strategy
TOMRA
Lecture information
There are three main building blocks to close the loop on plastics packaging; enabling reuse, collecting for recycling, closed loop recycling. Viable solutions already exist and just to be applied and scaled: reuse systems for food takeaway, deposit return systems for beverage containers, mixed waste sorting, advanced sortation of plastics, advanced mechanical recycling. The main bottleneck today is business models and not availability of technology.
02:00 - 02:15 p.m.
How expensive is a closed loop circular economy for plastic packaging?
Format: Speech
Session 1: Value Cycles for Plastics
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr. Thomas Müller-Kirschbaum
Chief Scientist
Circular Valley
Lecture information
A closed loop circular technology needs to keep the carbon in the loop. But while several technologies are available for plastic recycling on high quality levels only a small portion of post-consumer plastic packaging is recycled and reused for plastic packaging again. The Circular Economy Action Plan and the recent Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation build a strong regulatory background. Why does closed loop recycling of plastic packaging not level off? Is it only the economy? The presentation will show how a well balanced set of technological, economical and regulatory parameters can enable an economically viable closed loop circular economy for plastic packaging. And how all partners across industries and legislation need to collaborate on it.
02:15 - 02:30 p.m.
Developing plastic waste solutions for a Resource-Efficient and Sustainable Circular Economy
Format: Speech
Session: Value Cycles for Plastics
Language: English
Speaker
Nicola Lelli
Senior Advisor
Alliance to End Plastic Waste
Lecture information
A comprehensive, system-based approach is required to accelerate a circular economy for plastics. This involves collaborating with stakeholders across the plastic value chain to design, test, and implement practical solutions that can be scaled and replicated globally
02:30 - 02:45 p.m.
Industrialization of Circular Economy - A case study on OMV ReOil
Format: Speech
Session: Value Cycles for Plastics
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Andreas Leitner
Senior Vice President Innovation & Technology
OMV AG
Lecture information
To transform - We innovate. For the OMV´s transformation into an integrated sustainable fuels, energy and chemicals company, we reinvent essentials for a more sustainable living. OMV developed a proprietary technology called ReOil for chemical recycling enabling to close the loop of the value chain for polyolefins. This case study will outline the requirements for successful implementation of circular economy concepts along the plastics value chain.
02:45 - 03:00 p.m.
Circular Economy - enablers, products and business models
Format: Speech
Session: Value Cycles for Plastics
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Manfred Renner
Head of Institute
Fraunhofer UMSICHT
Lecture information
The Circular Economy is a new economic system characterized by new business models and a new way of thinking, designing and using products. The presentation will move from a broad focus specifically to an exemplary product and introduce a circular business model and necessary materials and technologies
03:00 - 04:30 p.m.
Session 2 - Circular Construction Industry
03:00 - 03:15 p.m.
Home Remedies for Circulatory Disturbance
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Construction Industry
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr. Philip Leistner
Institute Director
Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP
Lecture information
There are good reasons for a flourishing circular economy, such as conserving, securing and creating resources.
However, this requires holistically established value creation cycles across materials, technologies and sectors.
So the challenges are great, but so are the opportunities, especially in the construction industry.
03:15 - 03:30 p.m.
Circular economy in the construction sector - our path to a sustainable future
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Construction Industry
Language: English
Speaker
Thomas Nyhsen
Member of the Executive Board
STRABAG AG
Lecture information
The construction industry is responsible for 38% of global CO2 emissions and more than 50% of waste.
Circular economy in construction is not a vision, but one of the keys for a sustainable future.
How do we fulfill this responsibility?
What has STRABAG already done to realize circular economy?
And what next steps do we want to take in the future?
You will find the answers to these questions in this presentation.
03:30 - 03:45 p.m.
Circular Economy in the wallpaper industry
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Construction Industry
Language: English
Speaker
Felicitas Erfurt-Gordon
CEO
Erfurt & Sohn KG
Lecture information
This presentation shows how the use of recycled raw materials leads to developing a system of circular economy in the production process.
03:45 - 04:00 p.m.
How the Schüttflix Group is making the European construction industry more sustainable and digital
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Construction Industry
Language: English
Speaker
Gerrit Kisters
CEO
Schüttflix Group
Lecture information
No other sector consumes as many resources and produces as much waste as construction. It is responsible for 40 per cent of all CO2 emissions and two thirds of the waste produced in Europe. Politically, the EU Commission and the German government have now set the course for greater CO2 and resource efficiency in the construction industry with initial regulations. The focus here is on the digital optimisation of material flows and better networking of all parties involved in the value chain in order to increase the proportion of recycling and minimise transport. The Schüttflix Group is already setting the decisive standards here.
04:00 - 04:15 p.m.
From environmental damage to environmental value - Decarbonising architecture
Format: Speech
Session 2: Circular Construction Industry
Language: English
Speaker
Markus Lehrmann
CEO
Architektenkammer Nordrhein-Westfalen
Lecture information
A particularly effective lever for improved resource conservation can be found in the construction sector. Enormous potential could be realised with just a few regulatory interventions. Longevity is the key to construction. The life cycle must be extended through reuse and, if necessary, recycling. Always in view: It must become simpler, in the authorisation process, in execution and in risk assessment.
04:15 - 04:30 p.m.
Sustainability and circularity - core for the future in the lime industry
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Construction Industry
Language: English
Speaker
Frederick Verhelst
Head of Materials - Business Innovation Center
Lhoist Europe
Lecture information
Lime is crucial for a sustainable society.
Increasing agricultural production, supply of pure water and healthy living environment, enabling recycling of steel, copper and building debris, delivering safe buildings and last but not least acting as a CO2 sponge, lime is crucial in facing todays challenges of sustainability.
At the same time, the lime industry is considered hard to abate and as such the engineering efforts will be huge.
At Lhoist we are fully committed to make the difference and assure lime was, is and will be available to continue to play this increasingly crucial role.
In the presentation, I will expand on how Lhoist and the lime industry
1) is tackling the avoidable CO2 in production - energy
2) assure future low carbon lime supply by carbon capture
3) Lhoist is already today working on circularity of its full value chain including CO2 by carbon utilization
4) Lime will contribute to carbon neutrality
04:30 - 06:00 p.m.
Session 3 - Circular Packaging & Printing
04:30 - 04:45 p.m.
What does sustainable embellishment mean and how do we get there?
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Packaging & Printing
Language: English
Speaker
Ralph Hopfensitz
Executive Senior Vice President Global Technology / CTO
LEONHARD KURZ Stiftung & Co. KG
Lecture information
Can premium embellishment truly be sustainable? At KURZ, we believe it can. Our transfer technology ensures that no plastic film is applied to the final product - only an ultra-thin lacquer layer remains, which does not influence recyclability. But what happens to the carrier material removed during the application process? In this presentation, we will explore how KURZ is addressing this challenge with its slim program, a PET reduction plan that minimizes the use of carrier material in the industrial cycle. For material that cannot be avoided, our in-house recycling system, RECOSYS® 2.0, provides an innovative solution to reintroduce it into the process. Join us to learn how sustainable practices and cutting-edge technology can transform embellishment - reducing waste while maintaining exceptional quality.
04:45 - 05:00 p.m.
How additives and colorants can enhance plastic recycling
Format: Fireside Chat
Session: Circular Packaging & Printing
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Jan Sültemeyer
Global Sustainability Leader
Avient Corporation
Lecture information
As the content of PCR in packaging articles is continuously increased, it becomes more and more important to understand how to best protect the polymers during the recycling process to have as less as possible accumulation of degraded and colored material, leading to a higher PCR quality and hence bring the industry one step closer to a truly circular economy.
The presentation will focus on today's major gaps in mechanical recycling and will highlight additive and color solutions that can close the gaps and enhance the mechanical recycling process.
05:00 - 05:15 p.m.
Circularity in Pharmaceuticals - rethink process & production by Green Chemistry principles
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Packaging & Printing
Language: English
Speaker
Dr. Timo Fleßner
Senior Vice President, Manufacturing API & Medical Devices Lead at Bayer
Bayer AG
Lecture information
Circularity is gaining more and more momentum in the Pharmaceutical industry. Bayer is driving sustainable production and the transition to circular options in order to reduce, recycle, reuse and replace.
05:15 - 05:30 p.m.
The myths and truths about fiber-based flexible barrier packaging solutions
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Packaging & Printing
Language: English
Speaker
Herwig Kirchberger
Managing Director
DELSCI GmbH
Lecture information
Fiber-based flexible packaging solutions are currently on every brand's lips as an alternative to hard-to-recycle polymer films.
The so-called functional-barrier papers only require ultra-thin polymer layers to protect the paper's surface and to deliver the required protective functions for food and non-food packaging.
Most important barrier papers promise good recyclability in the existing paper waste stream as well as a good overall sustainability profile.
On the other hand, this new material class poses a lot of challenges over the whole packaging value chain and the latest EU regulations (e.g. PPWR) created uncertainties over the right material selection for sustainable packaging.
This presentation highlights on the most important challenges and opportunities of functional barrier papers and suggests concrete strategies to overcome some of the hurdles in a sustainable packaging transformation process.
05:30 - 05:45 p.m.
First steps to enable circular loops for flexible transport packaging
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Packaging & Printing
Language: English
Speaker
Simone Mosca
CEO
Mosca GmbH
Lecture information
Since 18 years Mosca is producing strapping tapes made from close to 100% post consumer recycling waste plastics. Those strapping tapes are recyclable and made from PET bottle flakes rejected to be used for the bottle loop. In the pilot project „strap loop” they have focused to close the cycle for their products PET stap to PET strap. To realize this, they partnered with companies to close the loop. In this lecture Simone Mosca would like to discuss the challenges and the learnings to establish this loop.
05:45 - 06:00 p.m.
Is everything going in circles? Why a successful circular economy can't just be packaged in technology alone
Format: Speech
Session: Circular Packaging & Printing
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr. Andrea Büttner
Managing Director
Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging IVV
Lecture information
In the pursuit of a sustainable circular economy, focusing solely on technological feasibility is insufficient. This presentation explores the critical role of packaging in the circular economy, emphasizing that successful implementation requires a holistic approach. Beyond technology, it is essential to consider socio-political scenarios, economic viability, regulatory frameworks, and consumer acceptance. By addressing these factors, we can create a truly sustainable and effective circular economy - with the required foresight for a world in transformation.
06:00 - 06:45 p.m.
Dinner (flying buffet)
07:00 p.m. - 08:00 p.m.
Evening event "Circular Night"
07:00 - 07:05 p.m.
Opening & Wrap Up Day 1
Format: Wrap-Up
Session: Evening event “Circular Night”
Language: English
Speaker
Chérine de Bruijn
Moderator
07:05 - 07:20 p.m.
Why the planet needs the Circular Valley
Format: Keynote
Session: Evening event “Circular Night”
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr. André Bardow
Professor
Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering
ETH Zurich
Lecture information
Our current linear economy is fundamentally unsustainable. To overcome this paradigm, our industry must transition from its fossil foundation to renewable resources for both energy and raw materials. This transition is particularly challenging for the chemical industry since carbon is at its core of most of its products. In this contribution, we therefore present transition pathways towards chemicals and plastics within the planetary boundaries. The circular carbon economy is identified as the key enabler.
07:05 - 07:20 p.m.
Keynote by Minister Mona Neubaur
Format: Keynote
Session: Evening event “Circular Night”
Language: English
Speaker
Mona Neubaur
Minister
Ministry of Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy
of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia
Lecture information
Our current linear economy is fundamentally unsustainable. To overcome this paradigm, our industry must transition from its fossil foundation to renewable resources for both energy and raw materials. This transition is particularly challenging for the chemical industry since carbon is at its core of most of its products. In this contribution, we therefore present transition pathways towards chemicals and plastics within the planetary boundaries. The circular carbon economy is identified as the key enabler.
07:20 - 08:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion "From Green Deal to Industrial Deal: Economy as the basis for greater ecology and social stability"
Format: Panel Discussion
Session: Evening event “Circular Night”
Language: English
Speaker
Prof. Dr. Henning Wilts
Head of Circular Economy Department
Wuppertal Institute
Prof. Dr. André Bardow
Professor
Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering
ETH Zurich
Dr. Ralf Düssel
CEO Plastics Europe Deutschland e.V.
Head of Sustainability Evonik
Ute Spring
EMEA R&D Director Packaging & Specialty Plastics
Dow Chemical
Prof. Manfred Renner (Moderator)
Head of Institute
Fraunhofer UMSICHT
Lecture information
The aim of the discussion is to discuss the key points for Germany's competitiveness using the example of a circular and sustainable plastics industry with the aim of making the plastics system climate-neutral and ending the plastic waste problem.
08:00 - 11:00 p.m.
"Circular Night" music & drinks
