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2025 Conference Agenda

Explore the CIA Sustainability conference agenda below. We will discuss ground-breaking innovations, best practices and strategic collaborations that are driving sustainability within the sector.

 

Morning 

 

09:00    ARRIVAL

Registration, coffee and exhibitors

 

09:45    WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

Helen Coy, Global Senior Sustainability Manager, Innospec (Conference Chair) 

Helen Coy will open the day with a brief introduction, covering essential housekeeping, an overview of the conference themes, and a warm welcome to all attendees. She will also acknowledge the generous support of our event sponsors and encourage delegates to visit the exhibitors throughout the day. 

 

09:55    SUSTAINABILITY DATA MANAGEMENT: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS

Rosanna Greenwood, Associate Director, SLR Consulting 

Rosanna Greenwood will explore how companies can unlock the true power of sustainability data to drive strategic decision-making. She will address emerging industry expectations, tackle real-world challenges in data management, and showcase proven approaches to delivering transparent, credible reporting that fuels impactful and lasting change. 

 

10:20    SUPPLY CHAIN DUE DILIGENCE - HUMAN RIGHTS & MODERN SLAVERY

Neil Everett, Head of Sustainable Sourcing practice, SLR 

Neil Everett will provide a high-level overview of regulatory trends and stakeholder expectations around ethical sourcing. He will discuss how chemical companies can operationalize human rights due diligence and build resilient, transparent supply chains.

 

10:45 - COFFEE BREAK

 

11:00     PANEL DISCUSSION: FUTURE READY SKILLS FOR A SUSTAINABLE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Kirstie Simpson, Dean and Associate Professor at the University of Chester Business School; Harry Holt, Sustainability & ESG Lead at Victrex; Graham Lightfoot, Senior Researcher at Johnson Matthey; Daniel Rhymer, Research Fellow at University of Birmingham with Aquapak Polymers.

Hosted by CIA’s ChemTalent Network, the panel will bring together a diverse group of contributors, including early-stage professionals and academia, to share their perspectives on the technical, human and cross-functional skills needed to drive sustainability in the chemical sector. The discussion will explore how these skills can be developed through education, workplace support, and collaboration across disciplines to help shape the industry’s low-carbon future.

 

12:00 - LUNCH BREAK

 

Afternoon

 

13:00    INDUSTRIAL DECARBONISATION AND CHEMICAL DEFOSSILISATION

Dr Edmund Ward, Deputy Director, Department for Energy Security & Net Zero 

Dr Ward will outline the UK Government’s strategic vision for industrial decarbonisation and defossilisation of the chemical sector. He will highlight key levers including CCUS, electrification, hydrogen, and low-carbon product markets in delivering a just, competitive transition. 

 

13:25    ENERGY, GEOPOLITICS AND NET ZERO: BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE

David Kipling, CEO, On-Site Energy

David Kipling will examine the geopolitical dimensions of energy and their implications for industrial net zero strategies. He will share practical insights on decentralised energy solutions and long-term resilience planning. 

 

13:50    SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING INNOVATION

Nick Cliffe, Deputy Director, Innovate UK (SSPPC) 

Nick Cliffe will explore how Innovate UK is accelerating packaging innovation across the supply chain. He will spotlight pioneering materials, system-level redesign, and the policy landscape shaping the next generation of sustainable packaging. 

 

14:15    CERTIFICATION AND CHAIN OF CUSTODY IN SUSTAINABLE FEEDSTOCKS

Berk Büyükbas, Senior System Manager, ISCC PLUS 

Berk Büyükbas will offer an expert view on ensuring traceability and integrity in sustainable supply chains. He will outline the growing role of certification in enabling credible claims, compliance, and investor confidence in low-carbon transition pathways. 

 

14:40 COFFEE BREAK

 

15:00   INNOVATION IN ACTION: GSK’S AWARD WINNING PROJECT AND ONGOING SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT

Gordon McGrath, Interim MSAT Director at the GSK Irvine site. 

Gordon will provide a brief overview of the Irvine site’s raw material and energy consumption, discuss the award-winning GSK project, and share insights on the subsequent activities generated from that project.

 

 15:25    CASE STUDY: ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING MANUFACTURING AT FUTAMURA

Adrian Cave, Managing Director, Futamura Chemical UK

Adrian will outline the key challenges facing the sector and present a new packaging solution Futamura is driving in the market. He will showcase two major projects transforming their manufacturing processes: re-writing viscose chemistry to enhance sustainability and converting waste gas into fuel and materials (WSA with IETF). Adrian will also share insights on greening processes and offer his perspective on advancing a low-carbon future in the chemical industry. 

 

15:50    CONCLUDING REMARKS

Helen Coy, Global Senior Sustainability Manager, Innospec (Conference Chair) 

Helen Coy will close the conference by summarising key insights from the day, thanking speakers, sponsors, and attendees, and ongoing opportunities within the sustainability journey.

 

16:00 - CLOSE

 

Shaping a sustainable future for the chemical industry

The Chemical Industries Association Annual Sustainability Conference

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