"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:

Robert Hardy, Business Development Manager, Gidara Energy

Robert holds a masters degree in Chemistry from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. He has many years experience in global commercial roles in the scientific sector. More recently Rob has been involved in energy transition projects running the global commercial licensing function for Johnson Matthey’s low carbon hydrogen technology which was selected for numerous projects including Hynet in the UK. Rob joined Gidara in January 2024 to lead the commercialisation of the HTW gasification technology for conversion of waste streams to sustainable fuels