In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, we speak with Valentijn de Neve, CEO of BlueAlp and President of Chemical Recycling Europe, ahead of the 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 (𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱) — taking place 16 September in Brussels, with a networking reception on the evening of 15 September.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗙 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗿?
This episode unpacks why the upcoming forum isn’t just another industry meetup — it’s a strategic moment for anyone serious about the future of circular plastics in Europe:

• What sets CREF 2025 apart — and why it comes at a critical time

• How regulation, innovation, and demand are aligning to drive real change

• What to expect — and why it’s worth being in the room

Register now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/chemical-recycling-europe-forum-2025-tickets-1362718530809?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, we speak with Dr. Christine Bunte, Managing Director of Plastics Europe, about what it really means to make plastics circular — and why achieving it is far more complex than simply recycling more.

Christine brings a unique perspective, blending a background in polymer chemistry with years in public affairs, now representing Europe’s plastics producers at the center of policy and industry change.

What we explore:

• Why “well-made” packaging can be more sustainable than we think

• The role of chemical and mechanical recycling in scaling circularity

• How cost, innovation, and regulation intersect — and where the bottlenecks are

• Why making circularity attractive to consumers is just as critical as policy targets

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, we speak with Olivier Van Volden, a leading expert in plastics regulation and circular policy across Belgium and the EU. With a PhD in polymer science and a career spanning sustainable logistics, packaging legislation, and industry advocacy, Olivier shares how regulation can both enable and challenge the transition toward circularity.

This episode also marks a milestone for our team: for the first time, Pedro Guincho steps behind the microphone to lead the discussion.

Together, they explore what it takes to align EU legislation with on-the-ground innovation — and why the path to a circular future remains full of roadblocks.

What we explore:

• How the EU’s Green Deal and packaging rules are influencing innovation

• Why complexity and uncertainty are holding back circular scale-up

• The risk of losing industrial leadership to other global regions

• What a more effective, purpose-driven regulatory framework could look like

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

What if every bottle cap, cigarette butt, or food wrapper washed up on a beach was more than just waste? What if it represented a data point, a story, and a call to action?

In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, we speak with Sarah Weller from Ocean Conservancy, whose work transforms global beach cleanups into one of the world’s most extensive sources of data on ocean pollution.

From her early experiences diving in the Bahamas to leading the International Coastal Cleanup, Sarah shares how community-driven action, digital tools, and science communication are reshaping the movement toward a cleaner and more resilient ocean.

What we explore:

• How 40 years of trash data is influencing policy and global awareness

• Why citizen science is essential to driving systemic change—not just removing litter

• How the Clean Swell app is turning everyday actions into measurable impact

• The shift from counting what we find to changing what gets made

This episode is for anyone who believes the ocean deserves better—and that small, collective actions can create meaningful change.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

At just 30 years old, Antero Ahvenainen was trusted to lead the most critical technology project in his company — a polyethylene innovation that would eventually power some of the largest polymer plants in the world.

He didn’t have formal training in plastics. What he had was curiosity, courage, and a team with the right attitude. The result? A process that helped shape the future of the global polyolefins industry.

Together with John, who knows Antero from 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘧𝘧, they remember the old days, laugh about old times, and reflect on what it took to bring big ideas to life — sauna breaks and all.

This 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲 is a tribute — to Antero’s career, his leadership, his legacy, and the spirit of innovation he inspired in those around him.

It’s not just about plastics. It’s about people.

In this episode of Plastic Climate Future, BASF experts Dr. Ivana Krkljuš, Dr. Christian Krueger, and Prof. Peter Saling discuss the future of sustainable chemistry through the lens of bio-attributed products, mass balance, and industrial decarbonization. Drawing from their recently published book chapter, the conversation unpacks the science, standards, and strategies driving BASF’s climate-focused transformation.

Key Highlights:

• 𝗕𝗶𝗼-𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀: Understanding their role and significance in reducing carbon footprints.

• 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: Demystifying the concept and its importance beyond just "creative accounting."

• 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆: Practical strategies and innovations making a real impact.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

In the second episode of the podcast series Plastic. Climate. Future: A Journey into Circular Solutions for a Sustainable World, Christian Sigmund discusses WildPlastic’s mission and its innovative approach to transforming plastic waste into sustainable packaging solutions. He also reflects on the pivotal moment that redirected his career towards addressing the global plastic crisis.

Key Highlights:

• 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 & 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – Turning plastic waste into packaging while collecting it worldwide to fight pollution.

• 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 – Focusing on linking existing systems to make recycling more efficient and effective.

• 𝗔 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Vision to be part of the solution for decades, working tirelessly to address the global plastic problem.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

In the first episode of this new podcast series: Plastic. Climate. Future.: A Journey into Circular Solutions for a Sustainable World. , we are joined by Christian Goldhahn, a material scientist at ON Running, to explore how circularity is reshaping the sportswear industry.

Key Highlights:

• Bio-Based Materials in Performance Gear: Christian explains how renewable materials are redefining performance without compromising on quality.

• Closed-Loop Systems for Sustainability: Discover ON Running’s innovations in creating fully recyclable sportswear.

• Scaling Circular Design: Learn about the challenges of making circular systems economically viable in the competitive sportswear market.

Christian shares how ON Running is raising the bar for sustainability while maintaining exceptional athletic performance—setting an example for other industries driven by innovation.

🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts!

In the latest episode of the Plastic. Climate. Future. podcast, we are joined by sustainability expert Nicolò Giusti to explore the intricate challenges of creating a more sustainable fashion industry.

This engaging discussion sheds light on key topics shaping the future of fashion:

• Nicolo’s journey from a background in textiles to founding the Sustainable Academy and becoming a leader in sustainability advocacy.

• A deeper look into terms like “vegan leather,” their true meaning, and the growing risks of greenwashing within the industry.

• The significant hurdles in making footwear sustainable and the vital role of designers as drivers of sustainable innovation.

Nicolò’s insights provide a compelling perspective on addressing the tight knot of sustainability in fashion, blending passion, expertise, and actionable solutions for the future.

Get ready to dive deep into sustainability with the new episode of the Plastic Climate Future podcast featuring Ivana Krkljus from BASF! 🌿 This week, we uncover how BASF is leading the charge in carbon reduction and paving the way for a greener future:

- Discover BASF's innovative Carbon Division and its role in transitioning toward a low-carbon footprint.

- Learn about the integration of biogenic feedstocks and the challenges associated with renewable materials.

- Hear firsthand how customer readiness and regulatory environments impact sustainable practices.

Tune in to explore the future of sustainable materials and how BASF is acting as a pioneer in the renewable movement. Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube! 🎧

 #Sustainability #CarbonReduction #Renewables #BASF #Podcast