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Track: Circular Economy

Fri 12

12:30h

Roundtable | Side Events Energy Transition and Decarbonisation Regulations Circular Economy Markets-Competitiveness

From Brussels to the Regions: Delivering Europe’s Chemical Industry Recovery

Jaume Baró Government of Catalonia - ACCIÓ Secretary of Enterprise & Competitiveness | ECRN President 2026-2027 Speaker

Guido Guidesi Lombardy Region ECRN Vice-President | Minister for Economic Development Speaker

Stephan Satijn Limburg Region ECRN Vice-President for Advanced Manufacturing and Bioeconomy | Minister for Economy and Finance Speaker

Algreit Dume European Commission, DG GROW (Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Coordinator for the CCA (Critical Chemical Alliance), Policy Officer Speaker

Folco Ciulli ECRN (European Chemical Regions Network) Executive Director Speaker

Dolors Nuñez ECRN (European Chemical Regions Network) & EU Critical Chemical Alliance Honorary Member & Independent Expert Speaker

#competitiveness, #CriticalChemicalAlliance, #europe, #future, #regions

2026-06-04 12:30 2026-06-04 13:30 Europe/Madrid From Brussels to the Regions: Delivering Europe’s Chemical Industry Recovery

Europe’s chemical industry is under severe pressure. In response, the European Commission adopted the European Chemicals Industry Action Plan in July 2025. A central follow-up initiative is the Critical Chemicals Alliance, which brings together institutions and stakeholders to identify critical molecules and production sites, address vulnerabilities, and support strategic investment.

These objectives will only be achieved if they are translated into action where the industry actually operates: in Europe’s regions. This debate will therefore examine how regional authorities can help turn the EU policy framework into industrial reality — preserving production, supporting the transformation of strategic sites, enabling decarbonisation, and reinforcing Europe’s long-term competitiveness.

International Meeting Point

Thu 4

12:30h - 13:30h International Meeting Point Public access

16:30h

Conference | Smart Chemistry Circular Economy

Circular economy in precipitated silica: innovation using rice husk and end-of-life tyres

Sandra Alonso GRUPO IQE Lead Researcher for Silicates Speaker

Daniel Julve GRUPO IQE Lead Researcher for Precipitated Silica Speaker

2026-06-04 16:30 2026-06-04 17:00 Europe/Madrid Circular economy in precipitated silica: innovation using rice husk and end-of-life tyres The tyre sector is making a forward-looking commitment to sustainability. Since the early 2000s, synthetic amorphous precipitated silica (SAS) has been part of some low fuel-consumption tread formulations, known as “green tyres”. The circular economy, and the use of renewable and/or recyclable raw materials, represents a further step towards improved sustainability. In this context, the recycling of this filler from end-of-life tyres and its incorporation into the manufacture of circular silica, as well as the use of renewable silicon sources —with rice husk ash (RHA) being one of the most promising residues— are under study and/or implementation. The talk will present the steps taken by Industrias Químicas del Ebro S.A. to advance these objectives and become a manufacturer of circular and sustainable materials. Smart Chemistry

Thu 4

16:30h - 17:00h Smart Chemistry Public access

16:00h

Roundtable | Side Events Circular Economy Markets-Competitiveness

The Future of the European Chemical Industry in a Changing and Conflictual Geostrategic Environment

Juan José Ortega Colegio Oficial de Químicos de Aragón y Navarra Treasurer Moderator

Xavier de Gea ATEXPREVEN SL CEO Speaker

Ana Isabel Elduque Colegio Oficial de Químicos de Aragón y Navarra Dean Moderator

Luis De Miguel Nunsys-Inycom UNE Laboratory Director Speaker

Ángel Rueda Industrias Químicas del Ebro Sales Director Speaker

Jordi Soler Messer Ibérica Bulk Sales and Hydrogen Business Development Manager Speaker

2026-06-04 16:00 2026-06-04 19:00 Europe/Madrid The Future of the European Chemical Industry in a Changing and Conflictual Geostrategic Environment There will be presentations on ATEX safety by Dr. Xavier deGea and on AI in chemistry by Dr. Aurea Rodríguez and others. The main activity will be a roundtable discussion addressing the most pressing issues in our chemical industry. In collaboration with GAQ, Dr. Ana Elduque, dean of COQAN, and Dr. Juanjo Ortega will participate alongside companies including Inycom by Nunsys Group, Industrias Químicas del Ebro, Messer Ibérica de Gases, and Bada Hispanoplast. Topics will include necessary transformations in the industry for the transition toward circularity and sustainability, the evolution of competitiveness in the European chemical industry, how to face growing competition from third-country markets, defense measures within the EU against unfair practices, and political and fiscal measures to support the chemical industry and SMEs, alongside education on circularity and sustainability in classrooms. CC1. ROOM 1.1

Thu 4

16:00h - 19:00h CC1. ROOM 1.1 Public access

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Track: Circular Economy

From Brussels to the Regions: Delivering Europe’s Chemical Industry Recovery

Circular economy in precipitated silica: innovation using rice husk and end-of-life tyres

The Future of the European Chemical Industry in a Changing and Conflictual Geostrategic Environment

#EXPOQUIMIA2026

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