Biobased Polymers conference: Panel discusses Industry-Academia collaboration

The SCHEMA Hub co-hosted a panel discussion as part of the recent Biobased Polymers 2026 conference at Loughborough University. The wider conference programme included a keynote and invited talks, poster presentations, and exhibitors — culminating in a poster prize award session.

Industry-Academia collaborations panel discussion

Prof Buchard delivering the keynote

Titled "Industry-Academia collaborations" the panel discussion was chaired by SCHEMA's Digital & Information Technologies Lead Prof Antoine Buchard (Department of Chemistry, University of York) and featured Dr Amy Goddard (Croda), Dr Adelya Khayrova (Demeter Bio), Dr Anand Jay Gaston (Shellworks), and Prof Andrew Dove (School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham). Prof Buchard also delivered a keynote lecture at the conference titled: "Synthetic carbohydrate polymers: from synthesis to applications and chemical recycling". Highlights of the day included talks by Dr Parimala Shivaprasad, Prof Clare Mahon, Annaliese Hambleton, Bethany Husband, PhD, Dr Jutta Rieger, and Dr Vincenzo Taresco.

It was a great discussion in which we heard from businesses implementing biobased polymer innovations across various scales and sectors. The diversity of perspectives on the panel helped to identify the unique but also shared challenges they, and the wider industry, are facing in commercialising new biobased polymer technologies - balancing sustainability, cost, and performance, while navigating an evolving regulatory landscape. It really highlighted the value of collaboration between industry and academia in providing opportunities to develop and de-risk innovation in this space - Dr Greg Sulley, Industry & Partnerships Manager for the SCHEMA Hub

Dr Shivaprasad

Prof Clare Mahon

Dr Fiona Hatton