Programme

Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, European Commission

Gijs Schilthuis, Director for Sustainability, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), European Commission

• Nicoló Giacomuzzi – Moore, Executive Director, Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking 
• Massimo Reynaudo, CEO of UPM 

The bioeconomy is not limited to traditional sectors but has the potential to drive Europe’s green industrial transformation – it is expanding across the entire economy, from fashion to construction, from packaging to chemicals. This includes emerging sectors such as bio-based textiles, health and hygiene, and chemicals, which are increasingly using forest-derived materials. 

This session will showcase how these innovative applications are offering sustainable alternatives to fossil-based inputs. However, their market uptake is often hindered by regulatory and economic barriers. Participants will explore the need for a coherent EU framework that supports the commercialisation of bio-based products, including streamlined permitting processes, fair competition with fossil-based materials, and incentives for innovation. 

• Emmanuelle Maire, Head of Unit for Bioeconomy & Sustainable Materials, Directorate-General for Environment (DG ENV), European Commission  

• Abhijeet Bhattacharya, Nestlé Group Leader & Expert Fiber-based Packaging  
• Jussi Vanhanen, CEO of Metsä

As Europe accelerates its transition away from fossil-based materials, “paperisation” is gaining momentum across industries, notably in packaging. As paper-based solutions become the new standard, this session will highlight how the industry is positioning itself as a cornerstone of Europe’s sustainable packaging future – and as a key contributor to the EU’s bioeconomy ambitions.

The EU Bioeconomy Strategy will play a pivotal role in this shift by promoting the use of renewable biological resources and supporting sustainable value chains. Paper-based packaging, derived from responsibly managed forests, aligns with the strategy’s goals of reducing dependency on fossil resources and fostering circularity. The session will also examine the regulatory and market conditions needed to support this shift, including harmonised recyclability criteria, incentives for renewable materials, and the role of eco-design in driving uptake.

• Carl-Johan Linden, Policy Coordinator for Bioeconomy in the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development (DG AGRI), European Commission 

• Henrik Sjölund, CEO of Holmen 

The EU’s climate ambitions, particularly under the LULUCF Regulation, are reshaping how forests are managed and valued. Forests cover 39% of the EU’s land area, with 160 million hectares of forested land as of 2022. These forests are not only vital carbon sinks but also the foundation of Europe’s bioeconomy, employing 4 million people directly and representing one in five EU manufacturing companies. 

This session will address the complex challenges of climate mitigation, the need for sustainable forest management, and the balance to be found in securing access to raw materials for a growing bioeconomy. It will bring together policymakers, forest owners, and industry leaders to discuss how to ensure coherence between climate policy, biodiversity goals, and industrial competitiveness through a circular bioeconomy. 

• Volker Zöller, President Consumer Goods EMEA | Essity Group 

• Kerstin Erbe, Managing Director DM (dm-drogerie markt) 

• Sari Pajari-Sederholm, CEO of Metsä Tissue 

Tissue is a renewable, biodegradable bioproduct that plays a vital role in public health, economic resilience, and Europe’s strategic autonomy. From preventing infections to supporting local jobs and enabling circular resource use, the tissue sector is a clear example of how the bioeconomy delivers real, everyday value to citizens. 

This session will explore how tissue hygiene products can broaden the scope of Europe’s bioeconomy – making it more human-centred, more circular, and more politically relevant. Speakers will discuss how hygiene connects to the upcoming EU Bioeconomy Strategy, and how recognising its role can help make the bioeconomy more visible, relatable, and impactful. 

Marco Eikelenboom, Sappi Europe CEO, Cepi Chairman