Unlocking the sustainability paradox
Sustainability is hotter than ever, yet it contains a paradox of balancing environmental, economic, and technological factors. Join us on March 5th at Wetenschapspark UAntwerpen in Niel to learn about designing devices, systems, and machines that are both sustainable and marketable.
To overcome this paradox it’s crucial to understand your customer’s willingness to pay, their desire for a greener future, and how to change your business or service model. This requires redefining your development methods. Discover success strategies in 4 sessions and interactive panel discussion.
Move your business toward sustainability!
Tuesday 5 March
9h00 to 13h30
Wetenschapspark, Niel
Discover the program
9h00 – Welcome
9h30 – Start-up’s paradox in aiming at circular business models
Thomas Müller-Kirschbaum, Chief Scientist at Circular Valley
Join a transformative journey with Prof. Thomas Müller-Kirschbaum, a seasoned Captain of Industry and Chief Scientist at Circular Valley. Discover why it’s essential for start-ups to revolutionize their business models in the pursuit of validated circular offerings. Explore how innovation can be a driving force in sustainable development, and learn about the benefits that partners of Circular Valley experience through a powerful network of transformation.
9h55 – Carbon capturing innovation: creating value for society
Marleen Rombouts, Researcher Sustainable Materials Technology at VITO
Victor Verlinden, Consultant PhysicsLab at Verhaert
Unlock the secrets of societal transformation with Marleen and Victor as they reveal the immense societal value derived from direct carbon capturing. During this session, you’ll get a comprehensive understanding of the impact and implications of this cutting-edge technology. Get insights on how to overcome the paradox and bring this revolutionary technology to the market seamlessly. An eye-opening experience!
10h35 – Designing business & batteries for a better world
Bjorn Robbens, Co-Founder & CEO at C-Battery
Want to be guided through the dynamic world of battery business? Delve into the essential prerequisites shaping battery design and explore the evolving landscape. Like, how do you integrate recycling and refurbishment strategies into batteries, coupled with increased design complexity? If you’re looking for valuable insights into the future of battery technology, this is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!
11h00 – Charting a green horizon: DEME green hydrogen in Oman
Toon Van Ingelghem, Corporate and Project Finance Manager at DEME
In the pursuit of innovating in green hydrogen production, DEME enters uncharted territory with a novel production recipe with groundbreaking technology. DEME’s vision is about introducing this novel product to customers unfamiliar with its potential. Such an endeavor demands risk-taking and a steadfast willingness to pivot along the journey. While market perceptions advocate for maturation before implementation, DEME chooses to pioneer rather than conform.
11h30 – Panel discussion: decoding ecodesign for a sustainable future
With Karine Van Doorsselaer (UA), Thomas Müller-Kirschbaum (Circular Valley), Marleen Rombouts (VITO), Bjorn Robbens (C-Battery), Toon Van Ingelghem (DEME) & Jan Willem Dik (BEACON)
Hosted by Joris De Lamper (Verhaert)
How do you overcome sustainability paradoxes and shape a clear sustainability roadmap in mature companies, start-ups and research institutes? This session promises you more than knowledge, it gives you a blueprint to move your business toward a sustainable impactful future! Together with Karine Van Doorselaer, the author of ‘Ecodesign, a life cycle approach for a sustainable future’, this interactive panel is your gateway to actionable strategies.
12h15 – Walking lunch & networking
Meet your host
Meet your speakers and panel members
