Plastic. Climate. Future.

Circular plastics have moved beyond pilot projects. Today, companies are investing in mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, renewable feedstocks, and even CO₂-based materials. But are these solutions ready to scale—and what will it take to make them mainstream? In this episode, we sit down with Stephan Roest, Head of Circular Economy Business Development at Borouge International. Having spent...

In this episode, we speak with Neil Morris , founder of Kelpi , about how seaweed-based materials could help reshape the future of packaging — and what it really takes to move beyond fossil-based plastics. We discuss: Why seaweed is attracting attention as a renewable feedstock The challenge of scaling sustainable packaging solutions How brands are approaching next-generation materials The realiti...

What if the problem isn’t that we’re failing to recycle, but that the system itself is working against it? In this episode, we speak with Joan Marc Simon , founder of Zero Waste Europe and one of the leading voices shaping circular economy policy across the EU. With decades of experience bridging grassroots action and European regulation, he brings a sharp and often uncomfortable perspective on wh...

What if the future of plastics doesn’t start in a lab, but in a design studio? In this episode of Plastic. Climate. Future., we speak with Beat Karrer, founder of FluidSolids , who took an unconventional path from industrial design into material innovation — developing high-performance materials made entirely from waste streams. From corn cobs to coffee waste, his work challenges a fundamental ass...

Circularity isn’t just about materials. It’s about energy. In this episode of Plastic. Climate. Future. , we speak with Constantine Lau from Schneider Electric , who is leading electrification strategies for some of the world’s most energy-intensive industries. With decades of experience across oil, gas, and chemicals, Constantine shares why the shift from managing molecules to managing electrons...

What if the breakthrough in plastic recycling doesn’t come from higher temperatures or bigger reactors — but from biology? In this episode of Plastic. Climate. Future., we speak with Oliver Borek from Entzimatiko , a company developing a novel enzymatic technology that goes beyond conventional chemical recycling. Their approach combines enzyme engineering, nano-encapsulation, and oxidation in a si...

We’re kicking off the next series of Plastic. Climate. Future. —𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 — a 12-month journey exploring the innovations, systems, and people shaping a circular plastics economy. 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝟏: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝘂𝘇𝘇𝗹𝗲: 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗨𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆? We kick things off by tackling a major roadblock on the path to circularity: packaging systems that lack transparency, tr...

New Year, New Episode – But First, Let’s Rewind. 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰. 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲. 𝗙𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. – 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧-𝙀𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙥 𝙀𝙥𝙞𝙨𝙤𝙙𝙚 (2025) We’re kicking off 2026 with something different: a raw, reflective conversation about the episodes that changed how we think about circularity. Three people. Three generations. Three completely different favorite episodes: Katarina (our brilliant marketing lead, now finally on mic) chose Voic...

What began as a curious design experiment has grown into a pioneering materials company, one that’s rethinking circularity, material value, and how we deal with overlooked waste streams. In this episode, we speak with Zsofia Kollar , founder of Human Material Loop , a startup turning human hair waste into high-performance textile fibers for the interior and design industries. From salon floors to...

What if plastic could be made — not from fossil fuels — but from forestry residues? In this episode of Plastic Climate Future , we speak with Fredrik Malmfors , CEO of Lignin Industries , about how this abundant, underused natural material is being transformed into a scalable alternative to traditional plastics. With roots in consulting and food supply chains, Fredrik shares his personal journey t...

In this episode, we speak with Ved Krishna , the visionary behind Pakka , a company creating compostable food packaging from sugarcane waste — and aiming to scale regenerative packaging across the food industry. With deep roots in India and global ambitions, Ved shares how Pakka is building local supply chains, designing for true end-of-use, and why they’ve chosen to stay laser-focused on just one...

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...

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...

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...

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 ear...

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 po...

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-...

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 Highligh...

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 perform...

In the latest episode of the Plastic. Climate. Future. podcast, we sit down with sustainability expert Nicolo Giusti to untangle some of the toughest challenges facing the fashion industry as it strives to become more sustainable. This insightful conversation covers some of the most pressing topics shaping the future of fashion: • Nicolo’s journey from working in textiles to founding the Sustainab...

In the latest episode of the Plastic. Climate. Future. podcast, we sit down with Ivana Krkljus from BASF to discuss the company’s innovative approaches to sustainability. As a leader in the chemical industry, BASF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce carbon emissions and transition toward renewable materials. Highlights from the Episode: • Innovative Carbon Solutions: Ivana provides insight in...

In our latest Plastic. Climate. Future. podcast, Michael Carus and Lara Dammer from Nova Institute shed light on the vital work of the Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) and its role in transitioning to a sustainable, circular carbon economy. Key Highlights from the Episode: • Leading the Way with RCI : Michael and Lara explain how the Renewable Carbon Initiative focuses on replacing fossil-based c...

Join us in our latest Plastic. Climate. Future. podcast episode with Timo Van Vooren and Steff Van Loy from Citribel, where we had the chance to discuss the impact of mycelium in the future of the materials industry. Check out the key topics: Discover how Citribel's unique fermentation process is revolutionizing the world of sustainable materials. Uncover the potential of mycelium as a green alter...

Our latest Plastic. Climate. Future. podcast features Emil Pettersen, visionary founder of Reparel. Discover how Emil is tackling the issue of plastic waste while rethinking business models for sustainability.  Catch Emil as he shares: The critical role of storytelling and customer engagement in promoting sustainable products His approach to leveraging partnerships for innovative recycling pr...

This week on the Plastic. Climate. Future podcast, we welcome Karel Golta from Indeed Innovation for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of sustainable innovation. Karel shares insights into the shifting landscape of circular economy initiatives, the business models driving these changes, and how technology can support these goals. Key discussion points include: • The Role of European P...