About the Event

Rethinking Materials brings together the leaders, investors and innovators shaping the future of sustainable materials.

Discover the strategies and technologies transforming packaging, textiles, ingredients and consumer products, while connecting with the people driving change across the value chain. Join for targeted networking, curated deal flow, live pitches and fresh tech discovery.



 

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Meet the ad board

 

300+
Delegates
100+
Speakers
74%
CEO/Director-level
34
Countries

Key Themes

The end of cheap

For decades, businesses could rely on abundant resources, inexpensive production and predictable global supply chains. As costs, constraints and geopolitical risks rise, companies are rethinking the foundations of how products are made.

Beyond the hype

New technologies and breakthrough ideas are arriving faster than ever. The challenge is separating genuine commercial opportunity from false promises and deciding which innovations are ready for the real world.

The new rules

Regulation is becoming a powerful driver of innovation, investment and competitive advantage. From packaging and chemicals to extended producer responsibility and industrial policy, the rules of the game are changing. 

Waste is the new resource

Yesterday's waste streams are becoming tomorrow's feedstocks. The race is on to unlock value from materials already in circulation and build viable circular systems at scale.

The scale-up gap

The greatest challenge is no longer invention. It is turning promising ideas into commercially successful products through manufacturing, investment, infrastructure and market adoption. 

What replaces what?

Across every industry, established materials are being challenged by new alternatives. The critical question is not whether change is coming, but which solutions can genuinely earn their place. 

Key Themes

Investment Manager
"Events like Rethinking Materials are a really great opportunity to get up and see what’s in the space. It’s always great to see that trendspotting, you get to see what are the things are people working on and what are the emerging topics."
Investment Manager
IKEA
“Beiersdorf has an ambitious sustainability agenda, so we are keeping an open mind as to solutions and look forward to this event to find collaborators from across the value chain.”
Senior Scientist, Startup Scouting
BEIERSDORF, GERMANY
“This event is different as it proposes to bring together players from all different steps of the circular economy and, more importantly, talk about aspects of plastics that are often the “elephant in the room” that no one dares to discuss.”
Global Foods Packaging Director
UNILEVER, NETHERLANDS
“A timely conference spotlighting how materials have become a strategic lever for resilience, innovation, and sustainability.”
Vice President for Product Sustainability
BMW