The chemical and life sciences industry is facing unprecedented challenges in terms of sustainability, and this within a particularly tight timeframe. Following the positive feedback and success of the initial event, the second edition of the Advanced Masterclass on Sustainable Transition Strategies will take place from 27 until 31 May 2024 in Brussels. This in-depth 5-day training course is looking at sustainability from a scientific, engineering and business perspective. Save the date to join the discussion with renowned academics, policy makers and specialists from the chemical industry, research centres and the financial sector.
Program
Day 1 – State of play: the foundation for your strategy
The first day starts with an overview on the sustainability challenges the world is facing, followed by European legislation and industry initiatives. In the afternoon, we provide approaches on metrics, reporting and ratings.
- State of play: an academic perspective Important balancing – Prof. Dr. Gerard Govers, Vicerector Science, Engineering & Technology and Vice-rector Sustainability, KU Leuven
Day 2 – Legislation: tools & standards – a business driver on site?
The second day covers taxonomy, tools and standards that drive sustainability in our industry. In the morning, we look at how the banks have become sustainable business drivers and explore business tools for sustainable project selection and strategy. In the afternoon, this is followed by the methodology for scope 3. The day ends with Life Cycle Assessment as an important instrument, considering economic aspects.
- Keynote: Carbon footprint & accounting – Barbara Veranneman, Director International Affairs and Legal Counsel Energy & Climate, essenscia
Day 3 – Exploring the myriad of pathways towards sustainability – engineered examples
The third day focuses on technology. We start with an overview of the most important research initiatives by the University of Ghent. Before noon, we look at sustainability aspects from the cracker furnaces as well as from a batch perspective. And in the afternoon, we move to the important policy aspects on circular chemical economy, followed by real company implementations on
chemical circularity.
- Keynote: A research perspective on the chemical industry – Kevin van Geem, Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Chemistry, Ghent University, and Mike Bonheure, Researcher, Ghent University
Day 4 – Sustainable business operations in the value chain – a business differentiator
The fourth day looks at setting up sustainable value chains based on the quest for energy, performant legislation and tools. We start with the energy question in the value chain, followed by
the legislation. In the afternoon, we address the methodology for carbon neutral chemical building blocks. The day ends with the electronic product passport for batteries from a content as well as a platform point of view.
- Keynote: Strategies for a sustainable value chain – Anouk van Looveren, Country Manager, Dow Belgium, and Global Marketing Director, Dow
Day 5 – Exploring the myriad of pathways towards sustainability in 2050 – long term innovations & considerations
The fifth and final day looks at long-term innovations and considerations to achieve sustainability goals by 2050. From companies’ accounts on their transformation journeys to the latest emerging trends on energy and biodiversity, research advances on renewable products and the considerations of nuclear process innovations, this day offers a platform to explore and discuss the myriad of pathways towards sustainable business in the long-term. The day is closed by identifying the industrial needs to realise the European Green Deal from a policy point of view.
- Keynote: Strategies towards a sustainable business – Clara Carelli, Sustainability Director, Beaulieu
This course is given entirely in English.