Technical and economic development for energy transition, reduced greenhouse gases, and plastic circularity is accelerating rapidly for the petrochemical industry. The plastics industry is now fully engaged in a transformation that will require unprecedented investment to scale new recycling technologies. Stakeholders who are leading the industry transition are redefining their business models and embracing new levers to overcome disruptions that inevitably arise when redefining a value chain. This program will explore the various levers and supporting policies needed to effect a successful transition to a circular plastics industry from the perspectives of various stakeholder groups.

Session 1: State of Play – Recycling Technology & Assets

The Plastics Industry is now fully engaged in a transformation that will require unprecedented investment to scale new recycling technologies. Mechanical recycling is poised to expand globally and incorporate leading-edge, AI-supported, processes to improve recycling rates, yields, and quality while expanding capabilities to recycle more difficult formats, including flexibles. Chemical recycling technology scaling is accelerating while sourcing the necessary volumes of processed plastic waste remains wholly inadequate. This panel is planned to provide insight into the technologies and investments that will transform the plastics industry and discuss views for igniting a truly revolutionary transition to a circular plastics ecosystem.

Session 2: State of Play – Circular Plastics Transition Levers

Stakeholders who are leading the industry transition to a circular ecosystem for plastic are redefining their business models and embracing new levers to overcome disruptions that inevitably arise when redefining a value chain. Re-design of products and packaging to extend material use, incorporate repair and reuse, and provide value-added end-of-life disposition are all disrupting the linear model for plastics production that has been finely tuned over decades. New business models are emerging and the lines that historically separated waste management, recycling, and chemical companies are blurring quickly. Advancing circular solutions will also require unprecedented alignment of effective policies to affect fiduciary management of plastics on a global scale. This panel is planned to provide a picture of an industry transforming itself, building upon a history of innovation that has proved essential to supporting human life.

Session 3: CBAM – Can Petrochemicals Gain Insights from the Steel Industry?

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a policy the EU is implementing to “level the playing field” for the domestic industry, encumbered by the EU carbon dioxide reduction policy, to compete fairly with imports from regions not on the same CO2 reduction trajectory. The CBAM rules are phased in by industry prioritized by the EU. In the first phase steel, amongst others, is feeling the full impact of CBAM rules and may offer some indication on what petrochemicals will likely face once they are rolled into the policy. Join us at WCF for an engaging conversation on how the steel industry is adapting to CBAM.

Session 4: Syngas: Hydrogen and Carbon Monoxide Investments Abound; Ammonia is Now a Key Product to Go Blue/Green

Why blue/green ammonia? Ammonia is a critical building block not only for many petrochemicals but also for conversion to Urea for agriculture. Ammonia though is one of the largest CO2 emitters in the traditional production routes and addressing these emissions is at the forefront of activity. Significant government support has come into play to catalyze investments. Is this a needle mover? What does the world of supply/demand for ammonia look like? And does ammonia have a viable role to play as a carbon-free fuel for ships? Please join us at the World Chemical Forum to participate in this assessment of where ammonia is headed.