Our readers have voted. The most innovative bioeconomy CEO 2024 is Frederic Van Gansberghe, CEO of Futerro, a a pioneer and world leader in bioplastics with the development and production of Poly-Lactic Acid (PLA, also called FUTERRO RENEW®). PLA is a well-recognized biopolymer able to replace a large number of traditional petro-based plastic used in several applications.
The circular bioeconomy is innovation, the result of the skills and passion of researchers and managers able to create value and new high-qualified jobs, reconciling economy, society and the environment. At the end of 2014 Il Bioeconomista launched a new initiative: The 10 Most Innovative Bioeconomy CEOs.
We have asked a panel of world bioeconomy experts to tell us the Chief Executive Officers that have stood out as the most innovative during the last year.
Now we ask you to choose the most innovative CEO responding to our survey (open till December 13 at 7 am, Central Europe Time).
UPM Raflatac has made further progress towards a more circular economy for plastics and a future beyond fossils during 2023. The progress towards the 2025 commitments is detailed in the New Plastics Economy Global Commitment 2024 Progress Report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). UPM Raflatac joined the Global Commitment as the first label materials company in October 2018.
The COP29 closing statement of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. COP29 comes at the close of a brutal year – a year seared by record temperatures, and scarred by climate disaster, all as emissions continue to rise. Finance has been priority number one. Developing countries swamped by debt, pummelled by disasters, and left behind in the renewables revolution, are in desperate need of funds.
REMARKS AT THE COP29 HIGH-LEVEL EVENT ON DELIVERING EARLY WARNINGS FOR ALL AND ADDRESSING EXTREME HEAT
Excellencies, friends,
Welcome.
It is a pleasure to join you today – in the home stretch of a brutal year.
2024 has shown climate calamity is now commonplace.
This is on track to be the hottest year in the history books.
It has scorched countries and communities with temperatures that push the limits of human endurance.
And around the world, we’ve seen record rains and hurricanes, historic fires, and deadly droughts.
The 29th UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) is taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11-22, 2024. It aims to accelerate global climate action amid escalating environmental challenges. The conference will focus on securing the significant financial investments needed to reduce emissions and protect vulnerable populations, while also urging nations to update their climate action plans to meet the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target.
Avantium N.V., a leading company in renewable and circular polymers, started a groundbreaking collaboration with PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR, a pioneer in luxury industry innovation, and iconic Maison from LVMH Group (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). Following three years of close collaboration between Avantium and LVMH Recherche and under LVMH’s offtake agreement with Avantium, PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR will implement Releaf®, Avantium’s brand name for the polymer PEF (polyethylene furanoate), in its packaging. Dior will be the first in the cosmetics industry to use this cutting-edge, 100% plant-based material for its primary packaging.
After several months of efforts, the Company has been unable to find investors for its 2,500-ton plant dedicated to the cosmetics market, in a highly unfavorable context for the financing of first-of-a-kind projects. The Company is now devoting all its energy to applying its technology to the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (“SAF”), with a model of industrial partnerships.
UPM Biochemicals, Selenis and Bormioli Pharma have partnered to produce the world’s first pharmaceutical bottles made from partially wood-based PET. This bottle takes sustainability in pharma packaging to a whole new level. As the high regulatory and performance requirements for pharma packaging may limit the use of new or recycled materials, this bottle uses standard PET which is made with UPM’s world first wood based BioMEG, UPM BioPuraTM, to take a real step forward in the sustainable transformation of the pharmaceutical sector.
This is a great news for the European and the world bioeconomy. Avantium N.V., a leading company in renewable and circular polymers, last Tuesday celebrated the Official Opening Ceremony of its FDCA Flagship Plant in Delfzijl, the Netherlands. The plant opening was officiated by Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands, in the presence of international and Dutch dignitaries, partners and Avantium employees.
IL BIOECONOMISTA 