MAKE.IT.HAPPEN. IN EUROPE
How to reconcile competitiveness and sustainability in Europe
With the theme MAKE.IT.HAPPEN. IN EUROPE, the VinylPlus Sustainability Forum 2026 (VSF2026) will examine how Europe can reconcile competitiveness and sustainability.
The VSF2026 will take place in person in Genval, Belgium on 10 and 11 June 2026, and gather policymakers, UN representatives, NGOs, academics and industry leaders. Over a day and a half, participants will engage in inspiring presentations, panel discussions, roundtables and networking sessions.
Europe is at a pivotal moment, working hard to maintain industrial strength while meeting ambitious climate and circularity objectives. The European PVC value chain - deeply rooted in production and innovation - is uniquely placed to demonstrate how this balance can be achieved while delivering tangible benefits for our society. For 25 years, through VinylPlus®, the PVC industry in Europe has been a pioneer in sustainability and circularity. With VinylPlus 2030, its third 10-year commitment to sustainable development, the industry continues to advance the transition toward a more sustainable and circular future.
We have now reached the midpoint of our 2030 Commitment. In 2025, we carried out a mid-term review of our ambitious targets - an important moment to reflect on EU and global developments, as well as on the progress and challenges facing the PVC industry. At a time when industry must remain competitive and innovative while addressing global pressures, collaboration is essential. By working together - industry, regulators, NGOs and academia - we can identify policy gaps to address Europe’s competitiveness crisis and therefore strengthen Europe’s resilience and autonomy and secure a brighter future for the PVC value chain in Europe.
At the VSF2026, the question How can Europe reconcile competitiveness and sustainability? will be explored through three interconnected sessions, each addressing a critical pillar of Europe’s future:
1. Make. Water Resilience. Happen. in Europe
2. Make. Affordable Housing. Happen. in Europe
3. Make. Sustainability. Happen. in Europe
#VSF2026: Be part of the discussion, exchange ideas during our roundtables, listen to inspiring presentations. Register now to VSF2026.
Speakers
Programme
Starts at 11:00
12:30 - 13:15
Karl-Martin Schellerer, Chairman, VinylPlus® and Charlotte Röber, Managing Director, VinylPlus®
13:15 - 13:25
Siân Hughes, Moderator
13:25 - 13:30
Speaker TBC
13:30 - 13:35
Gert Peersman, Professor of Economics, Ghent University, Belgium
13:35 - 14:15
Siân Hughes, Moderator
14:15 - 14:25
Christope Yvetot, Head of UNIDO Brussels Office, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
14:25 - 14:40
Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe
From 14:40 - 14:55
Vessela Vitcheva, Regulatory Officer, Drinking Water Team, Directorate of Regulatory Cooperation, Biocides and Water, European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
14:55 - 15:15
Facilitated by Siân Hughes, Moderator
Delivering Water Resilience in Europe through smart, sustainable and future ready water infrastructure and actionable regulations
Christope Yvetot, Head of UNIDO Brussels Office, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Durk Krol, Executive Director, Water Europe
Karel van Laarhoven, Senior Scientific Researcher, KWR Water Research Institute
Catherine Michel, European and Regulatory Affairs Manager, Shin-Etsu
15:15 - 15:45
Siân Hughes, Moderator
15:45 - 17:00
ROUNDTABLES
Roundtable 1: New EU compliance challenges for PVC articles in contact with drinking water - Leader: Catherine Michel, European Technical & Regulatory Affairs Manager, Shin Etsu
Roundtable 2: Proactive Management of the PVC Pipe Water Networks for a cleaner, more resilient and affordable waster supply - Leader: TBC
Roundtable 3: Circularity of water storage and supply networks - Leader: Laura Espadas Murillo, Senior Project Manager – PVC Circularity, VinylPlus®
17:00 - 17:45
Siân Hughes, Moderator and Roundtables' Leaders
17:45 - 18:30
Starts at 18:30
Starts at 19:30
Starts at 8:00
Siân Hughes, Moderator
8:30 - 8:40
Speaker TBC
8:40 - 9:10
Siân Hughes, Moderator
9:10 - 9:20
Pieter Staelens, Policy Officer, Sustainable Construction, DG GROW, European Commission
9:20 - 9:35
Speaker TBC
9:35 - 9:50
Facilitated by Siân Hughes, Moderator
How to reconsider the European Strategy for Housing Construction in the current geopolitical and economic crisis Europe is in?
Pieter Staelens, Policy Officer, Sustainable Construction, DG GROW, European Commission
Katharina Erdmenger, Secretary General, Architects' Council of Europe (ACE)
Milena Damianova, EU ETS Legal Officer, DG CLIMA, European Commission
Carsten Heuer, Chief Executive Officer, REHAU Window Solutions
9:50 - 10:20
Siân Hughes, Moderator
10:20 - 11:35
ROUNDTABLES
Roundtable 1: Affordable and energy-efficient housing - Leader: Alexander Kronimus, Managing Director, VinylPlus Deutschland
Roundtable 2: Chemical and fire safety of construction products - Leader: Andres Vargas, Senior Expert Plasticizer Technology, ExxonMobil
Roundtable 3: Circularity of construction products - Leader: Vera Lahme, Head of Sustainability, Gealan
11:35 - 12:15
Siân Hughes, Moderator and Roundtables' Leaders
12:15 - 13:00
13:00 - 14:00
How the European industry can accelerate progress toward sustainability while remaining competitive, and how Europe can lead globally by example.
Jo Dewulf, Professor, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Belgium
Dorota Napierska, Toxic-Free Circular Economy Policy Officer, Zero Waste Europe
Daniel Andreas, Head of Sustainability, Schüco Polymer Technologies
Facilitated by the Moderator
14:00 - 14:45
Karl-Martin Schellerer, Chairman, VinylPlus® and Charlotte Röber, Managing Director, VinylPlus®
14:45 - 15:15
LIVE signature ceremony - VinylPlus Steering Board Members
15:15 - 15:40
Siân Hughes, Moderator