"Evolution of the Chemicals Industry" Part 1 of 2-day mini-confernces programme - Hosted Innovate UK and BBSRC.

About this Session

The session explores how the chemical sector can move away from virgin fossil carbon as feedstock, addressing which are the alternative feedstocks and how can we use them. You will hear short presentations from our speakers, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

Session Chairs

• Dana Heldt, Knowledge Transfer Manager for Synthetic Biology, Innovate UK Business Connect
• Sarah Hickingbottom

Speakers

• Reducing the reliance of the chemicals industry on fossil feedstocks
  Adrian Higson, Managing Director, Lead Consultant Biobased Products, NNFCC The Bioeconomy Consultants and Jen Vanderhoven, FREY Consulting
• Circularity and Decarbonisation of the Plastics Value Chain
  Steve Garbutt, Project Director, Mura Technology
• How to Make Chemicals – and Profit – from CO2
  Nick Smith, Commercial Director, ViridiCO2 Ltd.
• Biomass feedstocks for sustainable fuels production
  Robert Hardy, Business Development Manager, Gidara Energy

Speaker Bio:

Nick Smith, Commercial Director, ViridiCO2 Ltd

Nick has been the Commercial Director at ViridiCO2 Limited since 1st December 2023.

Drawn from an early age to the science underpinning our world and later becoming equally fascinated by how scientific advances are brought to the benefit people and plant via companies, Nick obtained degrees in Chemistry and Business and embarked upon a career in the chemicals industry in 1997.

With a thirst to understand the world from multiple perspectives and willing to take on and deliver against big challenges, Nick fulfilled several senior commercial assignments at chemicals giant Bayer MaterialScience (later Covestro) in multiple regions including ten years in Asia. Nick spearheaded the growth of polyurethane coatings technology use in India and carried out award-winning work in China, bringing more sustainable textiles to global brands in multiple industries.

Having developed a deep understanding of the global chemical industry, Nick decided in 2021 to focus on helping early-stage companies get to market and prior to ViridiCO2 led the commercialization and development at Circa Group, a bio-based chemicals producer.