Flavio Benedetti

Flavio Benedetti has over 15 years of experience in the Chinese market, having first come to China for the Shanghai World Expo in 2010. He has worked in the plastics and polymers sector for more than 12 years, including roles at Solvay in China from 2014 to 2019 and in Italy from 2019 to 2023. Since 2024, he has been Key Account Manager at Kingfa Biomaterial, where he manages strategic customers in the field of bio-basedmaterials. 

Matthew Berdy

Matthew Berdy serves as the Global Commercial Director at Sustainea, overseeing the overall commercial efforts and strategy in bringing the company’s biomaterials to market.  With more than 25 years of experience in the chemical industry, Matthew has held increasing levels of responsibility in sales, marketing, product management, and commercial leadership roles during his career.  His academic background includes undergraduate degrees in Chemistry and Physics from the University of Virginia and a Masters of Business Administration from University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Business. 

Lars Börger

Lars Börger is CEO of the nova-Institute, a leading European think tank focused on renewable carbon and the circular economy. He holds a PhD in chemistry and an Executive Master's in General Management and has over 25 years of international experience in sustainable materials. At BASF, he led global biopolymers marketing and introduced mass balancing, including working six years in China. As Vice President at Neste, he built the renewable polymers and chemicals division. He has also served on boards supporting bioplastics and sustainability. 
Committed to transforming the chemical industry, his guiding principle is: "Moving forward by going in circles." 

Tony Breton

Michael Carus

Michael Carus is a physicist and leading European expert in renewable carbon, market research, and policy, covering bio-based carbon, CO₂-based solutions, and recycling. He co-founded nova-Institute in 1994, was CEO from 1994 to 2026 and became Senior Advisor in the new department Renewable Feedstock in February 2026. In 2020, he founded the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI), now comprising 70 members from the chemicals and materials industries, and contributed to the European Commission’s Critical Chemical Alliance in 2026

Gaëlle Cavalié

Gaëlle Cavalie has been a Technical Sales Engineer at Normec OWS since June 2023, combining technical know-how with industry experience. Before joining, she spent five years with a UK-based bioplastics manufacturer, working in productdevelopment and later as a Technical Project Manager. With a biotechnology engineering degree from Polytech Marseille, she now supports clients with biodegradability testing, certification, and compliance—helping bring more sustainablematerials to market. 

In-Joo Chin

Dr. In-Joo Chin is President of the Korean Bioplastics Association (KBPA), representing stakeholders across the bioplastics value chain and promoting industry growth and public awareness. Holding a Ph.D. in polymeric materials, he has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers during his 30-year academic career. Since 2025, he has also led the Pan Pacific Alliance, fostering international collaboration among bioplastics associations to strengthen the industry’s role in the circular economy.

Allan Chung

Allan Chung joined CJ Biomaterials as CEO in 2025, leading the company's PHA business and its expansion into global markets.  With a background in chemical engineering and business development, he focuses on advancing the commercialization of PHA-based materials and building strategic partnerships to broaden their adoption across industries.  Prior to joining CJ Biomaterials, he served as Head of Business Development at LG Energy Solution.   He holds an M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Seoul National University and an MBA from Duke University. 

Martin Clemesha

Martin Clemesha holds a degree in Materials Engineering from the University of São Paulo (2001) and has over two decades of experience in the polymers industry. Since 2014 when he moved to Europe, he has been instrumental in advancing the I’m green™ bio-based solutions in the region. In 2023, Martin moved to External Affairs, where he focuses on fostering industry dialogue and advocating for the future of biopolymers and circularity in the plastics sector.

Sandra Domenek

Sandra Domenek is Professor of Polymer Materials Science at AgroParisTech (Université Paris-Saclay, France) and Scientific Director of the CoPack Chair. Her research focuses on the sustainable design of food packaging, including material performance, food contact safety, and circular end-of-life solutions. She has particular expertise in biodegradable and compostable polymers, investigating their degradation and environmental fate in industrial composting and anaerobic digestion systems.

Giovanni Gadaleta

Dr. Giovanni Gadaleta is a researcher at AIMPLAS, working on plastic biodegradability and compostability. He has a wide experience in all laboratory-testing to determine biodegradationand disintegration of plastic in industrialand natural environments, with a focus on compostingand compostability evaluation. He is in charge of several research projects related with this topic at regional, national and European level, coordinating proposal withcompanies and research organizations. His previous experience in academia gave him expertise on environmental engineering aspects, particularly for wastemanagement and treatment of municipal waste. 

Sara Guerrini

Bas Krins

Bas Krins is Innovation Director of Senbis Polymer Innovations BV, located in Emmen, The Netherlands. 

He has an extensive research career in melt processing of polymers, especially in filament extrusion and yarn spinning. He was one of the founders of an independent commercial research institute, Applied Polymer Innovations BV (API). This company was later renamed to Senbis Polymer Innovations (Senbis). Within this company he is responsible for the development of biodegradable compounds for applications like trimmerline, twines for horticulture and ropes used in the fishing industry. Besides, he is responsible for the development of the new series of home compostable compounds for technical yarns, textile applications, staple fiber and non-woven applications. 

Alberto López Gil

Alberto López Gil is an Industrial Engineer and holds a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Valladolid. He has over 15 years of experience in polymer foams and has contributed to numerousprivately and publicly funded projects in this field. Alberto has published more than 20 scientificpapers and holds four patents. His core expertiselies in biopolymer and rubber foams, withextensive experience in developing newcharacterization methods and in scaling upfoaming processes. For more than a decade, he has worked as a project manager and team leaderat CellMat Technologies, supporting companiesin the foam industry to create innovative and moresustainable foamed products. 

Christian Lott

Christian Lott is co-director of HYDRA Marine Sciences, an environmental scientist and a marine biologist by training with a record of over 150 research projects worldwide. With decades of experience he and his team investigate and advise on biodegradable polymers and plastics in the environment. HYDRA Marine Sciences is a leading institution offering lab and field testing of biodegradable polymers in soil, freshwater, and marine environments for research and certification. 

Emmanuelle Maire

Justin Michorius

Developing biodegradable tying tubes for use in nurseries, horticulture and viticulture has involved challenges in material selection, flexibility, durability and production. 

He believes that products designed to protect and support nature should not become a source of pollution themselves. This is what drives his work at GreenSecure. 

Nienke Mossou-Peters

Nienke Mossou-Peters is Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) at Paques Biomaterials. She leads PBM’s commercial growth across marketing, sales, and customer relations. Before joining PBM, she worked for 12 years at AkzoNobel/Nouryon in various commercial leadership and strategic marketing roles. She holds an Msc in Chemisry from the VU University and an EMBA from Nyenrode Business University. 

Momo Naeimirad

Dr. M. Naeimirad (Momo) is a polymer and textile scientist, project manager, and business developer with over 10 years of experience in advanced polymers, fibers, and nonwovens. Having worked at EMPA, NCSU, and ITA, he has led innovative projects including Liquid-core Fibers, STIMULATE, PolyBioDeg, and BioFur. With over 40 scientific publications and five years as an Assistant Professor, he specializes in sustainable materials, fiber processing, and textile recycling. At Senbis Polymer Innovations, he supports customers through R&D trials and also internal development of home-compostable compounds for fiber applications, bridging scientific innovation and industrial applications.

Ramani Narayan

Dr. Ramani is a University Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at Michigan State University where he mentored over 50 graduate students, authored 300+ publications, and holds 32 patents with over 28,000 citations. His research has driven the commercialization of PLA and starch-based foam technologies. As founding chair of ASTM International’s committee on Environmentally Degradable Plastics and Biobased Products, he led the development of key standards (D6400, D6868, D6866) and serves as a U.S. expert to ISO. He has advised the U.S. National Academies on ocean plastic waste and contributes to international sustainability policy.

Hasso von Pogrell

Hasso von Pogrell has been Managing Director of European Bioplastics since March 2009, bringing extensive experience in lobbying, public affairs, and industry representation. Born in Brazil and educated in Germany, he graduated in Economics from the University of Cologne in 1994. He held leadership positions in retail, construction, and international contracting associations before serving as Managing Director of the German Sawmill Association from 2007 to 2009 and joining European Bioplastics.

Lorenza Romanese

Lorenza Romanese is the Secretary General of European Bioplastics (EUBP), representing the bioplastics industry in Europe and leading the association's policy and advocacy work towards a sustainable bioeconomy. Before joining EUBP, she served as Managing Director of the European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA), where she developed and implemented EU-level strategies for an emerging green sector. Earlier in her career, she worked in energy and agricultural policy with OMV AG and the European Confederation of Independent Winegrowers (CEVI). Lorenza holds a Master's degree in European Studies from the University of Florence and a Bachelor's in International and Diplomatic Sciences from the University of Gorizia. 

Nick Sandland

Nick has been working in the polymer industry for over 35 years and studied Polymer Technology & Materials Engineering at Loughborough University, in the UK. For the first part of his career he held a variety of technical roles in rubber formulation, process and application development. In 2006 he joined Teknor Apex establishing a commercial footprint in Europe. He relocated to the USA in 2008, establishing the Medalist medical elastomers product line, subsequently leading the commercial activities for the TPE business unit for 10 years. More recently helping to establish a venture studio, created to scout startups for potential collaboration.  

In early 2024 he joined Algenesis Labs as Chief Business Officer to lead the commercialization activities of the company. Bringing to market Soleic® plant based and biodegradable, Polyurethane technologies, plus Bio-Iso™ a first of a kind 100% biobased aliphatic diisocyanate

Wessel Schönekerl

Wessel Schönekerl (21)  is a Dutch entrepreneur and founder of BitByBit, a startup on a mission to eliminate persistent microplastics from our kitchens. Driven by his passion for sustainability and innovation, he developed a cutting board made entirely from PHA, a biodegradable alternative to conventional plastics. With BitByBit, Wessel aims to make sustainable, plastic-free kitchen products the new standard. 

Kristin Schreiber

Sofia Serafim

Henk Vooijs

Henk Vooijs is consultant market development at Novamont. Novamont is the world’s leading company in the sector of bioplastics and biochemicals. Novamont promotes the transition from a product economy to a system economy, relying on the utilisation of local areas and on products that can redesign entire application sectors, reducing the costs of environmental and social externalities.

In his role as market developer he is working with stakeholders in the value chain to develop products that can deliver solutions to major environmental problems. Focus areas are: separate waste collection, agriculture, large retail sector, disposable foodserviceware and packaging.  He is chair of the board of the Compostable by Design Platform , Belgian Bioproducts and Holland Bioplastics (chair) and is convenor of Working Group 5 of the CEN-TC 411 (Standards Bio-based Products)

Irina Yarulina

Irina Yarulina is Head of Recycling at Sulzer Chemtech and a Board member of European Bioplastics. She has more than 15 years of experience in research and technology development, with a strong focus on polymer recycling and circular solutions.  

At Sulzer, she leads recycling development and industrial scale up activities. Irina is also actively involved in European Committee for Standardization as a leader of sub-group for packaging made of biodegradable plastic.  

She holds PhD in chemical engineering and combines scientific expertise with industrial, regulatory and strategic perspectives.