Thursday, 11 May 2023
Moderated by Frédéric Simon, EurActiv
09:00 - 09:05
Opening | Frédéric Simon - Moderator, Senior Editor, Environment and Energy, EurActiv |
09:05 - 09:20
Keynote Speech: An Italian Perspective on Making the EU Green Deal Happen | Giacomo Vigna, Head of Division III - Circular Economy and Eco-Sustainable Development Policies, General Directorate for Industrial Policy, Innovation and Small and Medium Enterprises, Italian Ministry of Industry |
09:20 - 09:40
What is the PVC Industry Up To? Trends, Challenges and Achievements | Karl-Martin Schellerer, Managing Director, Westlake Vinnolit GmbH & Co KG and Chairman, VinylPlus® |
09:40 - 11:15
SESSION 1: MATERIALS FOR SUSTAINABILITY What is the PVC industry doing to progress towards sustainability? How can industry support the EU's ambitious goals? What role does PVC play in paving the way to a sustainable future in crucial sectors? In this session, policymakers and representatives from the industry will discuss:
Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea | Director, Circular Economy, DG ENV, EU Commission Zoran Davidovski | Head of R&D and Sustainability, Pipelife More speakers to be announced soon! |
11:15 – 11:45
Coffee Break |
11:45 - 13:15
SESSION 2: CIRCULARITY IN CONSTRUCTION Buildings are central in the transition to a circular, climate-neutral future: they are responsible for about 40% of the EU's total energy consumption, and for over a third of its greenhouse gas emissions. 70% of PVC is used in buildings, where it plays a crucial role in transitioning toward circular models. In this session, regulators, NGOs, architects and industry representatives will outline:
Yannick Le Tallec | President, Group of Notified Bodies for the Construction Product Regulation - CPR and Certification Director, Efectis Jane Gardner | Managing Director, European Resilient Flooring Manufacturers' Institute - ERFMI More speakers to be announced soon! |
13:15 - 14:15
Lunch Break & Networking Opportunities |
14:15 - 15:45
SESSION 3: THE FUTURE OF GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IN EUROPE VinylPlus' circular and sustainable commitments are taking shape through concrete tools and initiatives such as product certifications. In this session, we will ask academics and accreditation bodies to give their stake on the importance of product certification, and award companies who have taken the leap with the VinylPlus® Product Label and VinylPlus® Supplier Certificates.
Fabio Iannone | Professor, Management Institute Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies (Pisa, IT) Emmanuele Riva | Vice-General Director and Director of the Certification and Inspection Department, Accredia More speakers to be announced soon! |
15:45 – 15:55
Closing speech| Karl-Martin Schellerer, Managing Director, Westlake Vinnolit GmbH & Co KG and Chairman, VinylPlus® |
15:55 - 16:00
Wrap-Up and Closure|Frédéric Simon - Moderator, Senior Editor, Environment and Energy, EurActiv |
At 18h
Exhibition and Cocktail |
At 20:00
Dinner |