As regulatory requirements tighten, feedstock prices fluctuate and decarbonisation pressures intensify, chemical companies face a growing challenge: achieving sustainability without compromising profitability. Against this backdrop, Automa Chem 2026, held on 26–27 October in Berlin, hosted a dedicated roundtable on bio-based and circular value chains. The discussion moved beyond sustainability commitments to examine the practical economic and operational benefits of circular chemistry.
The Chemical Industry’s Sustainability Challenge
The global chemical industry, valued at $6.3 trillion, supplies essential building blocks for 96% of manufactured goods. However, transitioning to greener feedstocks remains expensive and technically challenging. The bio-based chemicals market is projected to grow from $113 billion in 2025 to $251 billion by 2035, highlighting significant opportunities for the industry. Nevertheless, many producers continue to struggle with implementing cost-effective solutions at scale. Furthermore, of the 158 million metric tonnes of chemicals produced annually, only 10% are recycled. New European Union chemical recycling content targets and the forthcoming Circular Economy Act are adding further regulatory pressure, encouraging manufacturers to accelerate the transition towards circular production models.
Automa Chem 2026: Turning Circular Chemistry into Business Value
To address these challenges, the Automa Chem 2026 roundtable brought together industry experts to explore practical technologies, engineering solutions and economic models that can align sustainability objectives with commercial performance.
The participating industry leaders shared their expertise across several key areas:
Hendrik Rasch, Vice President – Circular Packaging & Plastics Recycling, Evonik, will discuss chemical recycling technologies, with a particular focus on Purocel™ adsorbents.
Miguel Perdigão Silva, Senior Process Engineer, Worley, will explain how techno-economic modelling can help chemical producers balance circular production costs with market expectations, particularly when recycled materials do not fully match virgin material specifications.
Andree Blesgen, Head of Technology Platform Depolymerization Technologies, Evonik, will present depolymerisation technologies that break down complex polyurethane waste into reusable materials.
Séval Schichtel, Global Business Development & Sales Manager, Clariant, will showcase the company’s adsorbent and catalyst portfolio, including Clarit Pyrolyse™, Clarit Protect™ and HDMax™, designed to upgrade contaminated plastic waste into virgin-quality feedstocks.
Rudy Lamond, Growth & Innovation Leader – Water Treatment, Air Liquide, will examine how CO₂ can replace mineral acids for pH control in wastewater treatment, offering an alternative approach to industrial water management.
Circular Economy Gains Importance Amid Industry Pressures
The roundtable came at a critical time for the European chemical industry. Production capacity declined by 5% in 2023, while further plant closures have intensified concerns about the sector’s competitiveness. At the same time, the European Commission’s Chemicals Industry Action Plan signals stronger policy support for decarbonisation, circularity and bio-based chemicals. Consequently, chemical manufacturers must explore innovative solutions that reduce environmental impact while improving operational efficiency and financial performance.
Driving Practical Solutions for a Sustainable Chemical Industry
As the chemical industry navigates economic uncertainty and increasing sustainability expectations, the need for commercially viable circular solutions has become more urgent than ever. Through technical discussions, industry insights and real-world economic models, Automa Chem 2026 aims to bridge the gap between sustainability ambitions and practical implementation. As per the press release, the roundtable provided an opportunity for industry stakeholders to understand how circular chemistry can create measurable business value while supporting the transition towards a more resource-efficient chemical industry. Registration: https://sh.bgs.group/4vm
