Wednesday 12 June

09:00- 17:00‘Green, Sustainable and Plastics’ – Pre-Conference Tour hosted by Titi and Tanja Sundberg
Titi and Tanja Sunberg, from Atolli Oy, happily invite you to join their optional pre-conference tour. Visit four Finnish plastic companies and enjoy lunch in the Finnish countryside.		Valkeakoski Area 
14:00- 17:30Registration/ Help Desk OpenClarion Hotel

18:00-19:30
18.30-19:30		Special Welcome Reception
For new members, non-members & first-time attendees.
For all EPDA delegates and partners.  		Clarion Hotel, Living Room Bar
20:00- 22:00Optional Welcome Dinner
Kick off your conference with a fantastic networking opportunity at one of Helsinki’s finest fish restaurants, Merimakasiini. Located only a 5-minute walk from the hotel, it is a typically Finnish restaurant, cozy, and with a relaxed and intimate atmosphere.		Merimakasiini Restaurant

Thursday 13 June

08:30- 17:00Registration & Help Desk Open  
08:30- 09:00Arrival Coffee & Manufacturer Showcase  
09:00- 09:05  Opening Address & Welcome Cíntia Rebelo, President, EPDA  
09:05- 09:15Introduction Clare Forestier, our event host  
09:15- 10:45Keynote speaker Martin Walker
Europe’s challenge: How Ukraine, Trump and a shifting climate are shifting the economic priorities of an ageing Europe. Followed by a Q&A moderated by Clare.
10:45- 11:15Coffee break & Manufacturer Showcase  
11:15- 11:30  New Members in the Spotlight  
11:30- 11:45Unpacking Industry Insights: Pitches
Our three industry professionals will pitch their afternoon session so you can decide which two you will attend.
11:45- 12:30  Crosslinking Connections
We will be crosslinking connections in a surprising way. Let yourself be guided, and who knows, maybe something beautiful will emerge from it.  
12:30- 13:45  Networking Lunch Break  
13:45- 14:30Unpacking Industry Insights – Part 1
1a) Jean Luc Dubois: A New Value Chain for PMMA Depolymerization
Jean Luc Dubois from Trinseo played an important role in the MMAtwo project. In his Industry Insight he will tell us about MMAtwo and how they developed the best process for acrylic recycling while keeping a high-performance material and a lot of carbon in the economy. They also developed a tool called “Footprinter” to compare various virgin and regenerated MMA technologies and its CO2 emissions, water consumption and energy consumption.

1b) Ronald Bock: Fluoropolymers and PFAS
Ronald Bock is Chairman of the Fluoropolymer Product Group of Plastics Europe. He has been working in the field of fluorotechnologies advocacy for over 15 years. Ronald holds a PhD in Molecular Biology and has worked for DuPont and its spinoff Chemours, and currently holds the position of Director of Governmental and Regulatory Affairs for AGC Chemicals Europe.
 
In his Industry Insights session, he will discuss the history of PFAS regulations and how they relate to and impact the fluoropolymer industry. He will also provide a short insight into other jurisdictions, like the UK, USA, and Asia. He will also brief you on the association’s view on this, what they are doing towards European policymakers, and how you, as a company relying on fluoropolymers, can support their activities.
14:45- 15:30Unpacking Industry Insights – Part 2  
2a) Jean Luc Dubois: A New Value Chain for PMMA Depolymerization (repeat of 1a)
Jean Luc Dubois from Trinseo played an important role in the MMAtwo project. In his Industry Insight he will tell us about MMAtwo and how they developed the best process for acrylic recycling while keeping a high-performance material and a lot of carbon in the economy. They also developed a tool called “Footprinter” to compare various virgin and regenerated MMA technologies and its CO2 emissions, water consumption and energy consumption.
 
2b) Vesa Kärhä: The Growing Regulation Burden and How to Survive
Vesa is CEO of the Finnish Plastics Industries Federation and in his Industry Insight he will give an overview of the growing regulation burden that plastics branch in EU is facing and describe some AI and other ideas/tools how to survive under that avalanche.   
15:30- 17:30Free time
17:30- 18:30  Lonkero hour
Experience your first Lonkero, it’s a typical Finnish refreshment, a mixture of gin and grapefruit soda. The Lonkero drink was invented for the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki.  
18:30- 23:00  Gala Dinner
This year, the gala dinner is on a private island – Restaurant Saaristo is located on its own island, Klippan island. A white Art Nouveau style villa; this traditional restaurant offers the best delicacies of Scandinavian cuisine.  
23:30- 02:00Midnight Sun Celebrations
During the Midnight Sun Celebrations we all gather at the hotel’s sky bar to experience the Midnight Sun. A Nordic phenomenon that makes you feel like the day will never end.

Friday 14 June

08:30-09:00

09:00-09:15		Arrival Coffee & Manufacturer Showcase

EPDA AGM Opened by Cíntia Rebelo, EPDA President and chaired by Clare Forestier
09:15- 10:00Expert-led Group Trend Talks – Part 1
Trending topics are discussed and moderated by a professional in the topic in a 45-minute Trend Talk. You can select a topic to attend:  

1a – Fluoropolymers and the PFAS restriction led by Ronald Bock
During this discussion group, you can discuss fluoropolymers and the PFAS ban with a man with all the knowledge and experience in governmental and regulatory affairs. Ronald Bock is Chairman of the Fluoropolymer Product Group of Plastics Europe. There is room for questions and concerns to be discussed, like how the regulations affect your business and how to deal with that. Also, how you, as a company and EPDA as an association, can help Ronald Bock in his work for the Fluoropolymer Product Group of Plastics Europe. Fluoropolymer manufacturers and distributors want to attend this discussion group. You won’t get any closer to the advocacy for your material.

1b – The Burden of Regulations: Are we overregulated? led by Vesa Kärhä’s
Following Vesa Kärhä’s presentation, we give you the opportunity to continue discussing this topic. What do you think about EU legislation? Do you feel like you are overloaded with regulations and can’t see the wood for the trees? Do want to learn from your peer’s experiences and best practices or do you want to share any? Maybe you have questions about a specific regulation, and you want to ask Vesa Kärhä?
10:15-11:00Expert-led Group Trend Talks – Part 2

Topic 2a – Secure your place in the chain with ISCC certification led by Stefan Tielen
The ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) is a global certification which allows you to claim your product is (partially) made of renewable or biobased content by establishing fully traceable supply chains from the origin to the final user. This certification is increasingly demanded by brand owners and pushed by raw material suppliers. A key requirement of this certification is that all parties in the chain must be ISCC-certified for the final product to be ISCC-certified. If you are not ISCC-certified, you may not be part of the chain in the future. In this Expert Led Discussion Group, Stefan Tielen from Exolon Group talks about their ISCC certification, what it signifies for their organization and how it affects the industry’s sustainability. Ensure your place in the chain with ISCC certification; there is really no escaping it.

Topic 2b – Future challenges for the acrylic industry led by Julien Renvoise
Three topics are challenging the acrylic sales. Firstly, sustainability which has the most impact industry-wide. We are facing many new regulations and challenges, like collecting materials for recycling, which isn’t as easy as it seems, and a market that isn’t focused on sustainability but on price.

Secondly, distributors are scratching their heads over logistical challenges due to shortages in raw materials, resulting in longer lead times. How can smart inventory management help you deal with longer delivery times? On top of that, the European production capacity is strained and at risk. Julien Renvoise from Trinseo will discuss the future challenges in the acrylic industry with you.
11:00-11:30  Coffee break & Manufacturer Showcase
11:30-12:15  Walking Debate
Where the power of discussion meets the beauty of movement! During the walking debate we will present you several viewpoints. A mind-provoking debate about a wide range of topics concerning the association and our industry.  
12:15-12:30Closing Address by Miklós Fórizs
12:30-14:00Networking Lunch Break
14:00-17:00Optional Member & Partner Tour: Cruising Helsinki Waters
Discover Helsinki’s best landmarks by boat. Sit back, relax, and enjoy a drink whilst admiring the breathtaking scenery on this private boat tour!  
19:00-23:00Optional Dinner: Ragu Restaurant
Join us for dinner at Ragu. Ragu takes inspiration from the combination of clean and innovative Scandinavian kitchen and our passion for Italian culinary heritage. Enjoy the delicious food in Helsinki city centre.

Friday 14 June – NextGen Programme

09:15 – 10:00NextGen Roundtable Discussion Forum  
10:00 – 10:45NextGen Mentoring 
Duncan Smith: 10 Valuable Career Lessons I Have Learnt as Global Sales Director
How to deal with external and internal influences beyond your control? Duncan Smith has been a global sales director in our industry for over 25 years. He faced many challenges in a rapidly changing world but always stood his ground. Duncan received valuable advice throughout his career, from which he has benefited greatly. He has selected the ten best pieces of advice, and he will come to Helsinki to share them with you.
 
Bryan Heath: Two-way Q&A on your Career in Plastics
Bryan will take you on a two-way Q&A, facilitating a stimulating discussion and highlighting your learning journey and potential. Bryan Heath is a self-made man in the plastics industry. He has a keen eye on people’s potential and what they should develop to become the person they want. In a two-way Q&A he will show you the answer lies in the questions.
10:45-11:30Coffee break & Manufacturer Showcase
11:30-12:30Anni Siltanen: Future Skills for Employers in the Plastic Industry
Anni is a chief adviser for the Chemical Industry Federation of Finland, responsible for the Skills and Competence department, educational politics, and digitalization. She simultaneously chairs the working group on Education and Lifelong Learning at the ECEG (European Chemical Employer’s Group) and manages the project for future skills.
12:30-13:15Networking Lunch Break
13:15-15:00  NextGen Team Building Experience Rowing over Helsinki waters
Church Boat: join us for an unforgettable journey steeped in history and tradition!
Limited to 14 places only. Please sign up on the registration site

NextGen NETWORK Sponsor