ECBF: Eugen Kaprov
HOST: Bas van Wieringen, Co-Founder Peel Pioneers
Moderator: Paul Elowe, Firmenich

Organic by-products and pioneering circular technologies are wonderful sources of innovation to address unsustainable systems. The extraction of highly desirable raw materials while valorizing by-products, which would otherwise be incinerated, is becoming a game changer when it comes to the sustainable production of functional ingredients for the food, beauty and home care industries.

ECBF: Michael Nettersheim
HOST: Paul Denayer, CEO Prolupin
Moderator: Christophe Schmitt, Nestlé

In this workshop hosted by Prolupin CEO Paul Denayer and moderated by Nestlé together with ECBF, participants are invited to discuss how the global phenomenon of alternative proteins is challenging unsustainable systems. The question will be raised as to what makes lupine seeds exceptional as a source of protein and whether vegan dairy products will be the future of sustainable consumption.

ECBF: Peter Nieuwenhuizen
Host: Kees Aarts, CEO and Founder Protix
Moderator: Nicolaas Heij, Investment Manager Invest NL

In this workshop hosted by Protix CEO & founder Kees Aarts and moderated by InvestNL together with ECBF, participants are invited to discuss how we can jointly accelerate the transition from a linear, fossil to a circular bioeconomy in the EU. It is proposed that speed (of financing and execution), as well as establishing effective partnerships are two of the most essential elements that the EU needs to get right, and what we can do up our game.

ECBF: Stéphane Roussel
Host: Isabel Vercauteren
Moderator: Pauline Blanquart

AgTech startups are developing solutions to make our food system more sustainable. In particular, they are developing solutions to help farmers replace environmentally damaging and potentially harmful chemicals with nature-inspired solutions. Among these, biologicals have seen consistently high growth in the past decade. However, challenges remain for their mass-scale adoption.

ECBF: Hakan Karan
Host: Jean-Francois Déchant, Elicit Plant
Moderator: Lars Börger, Neste

About 30 % of Europe’s population is affected by water stress during an average year. The situation is expected to worsen as climate change is increasing the frequency, magnitude, and impact of droughts. Drought induces a substantial decrease in agricultural water, reducing crop yields. Consequently, addressing water consumption can support food security and increase farmers’ profits. Biostimulants (e.g., phytosterols) are an emerging technology for sustainable agricultural water management, promoting growth, alleviating stresses, and improving crop quality and yield.

ECBF: Ananya Manna
HOST: Bram Uijj, Marketing Manager, In Ovo
Moderator: Jonas Hüther, PreZero

Ag-tech startups are developing cutting-edge innovations to improve welfare and sustainability in animal farming (livestock?) sectors. The poultry sector is no exception, particularly when regulatory incentives are in place to allow technologies to be adopted and introduced to the market.

ECBF: Jowita Sewerska
HOST: Martin Plambech, CEO, Biosyntia
Moderator: Stephan Göttke, BÜFA

Many ingredients that are used for the production of consumer products in segments such as beauty, food & beverage, pharma, are currently manufactured with petrochemicals. It has a significant impact on the environment and can have a meaningful impact on health of different participants of the value chain. A promising answer to the problem is biochemistry – using biology to manufacture products currently developed only through a chemical process.

ECBF: Cornelia Frentz
Moderator: Carlos Araujo , Allianz France

In the course of this workshop, we will discuss why ESG criteria are relevant when selecting portfolio companies and what trends there are in sustainable investing.