Helsinki Chemicals Forum 2026 Programme
Wednesday 15 April
Master of Ceremony Giulia Sebastio, Programme Manager, at DG international partnerships, working on Nuclear Safety.
Programme Day 1
9:30-10:00 Coffee and networking at HCF area
10:00 -11:00 Inaugural keynote speeches
11:10-12:00 Opening of the Eurometaux sponsor exhibition & reception
12:00 -13.30 Lunch at HCF area, and possibility to visit ChemBio
13:30-15:00 Panel 1: Aligning battery & recyling regulations to maximize the reuse of critical materials
15:00-15:30 Coffee and networking
15:30-17:00 Panel 2: How can chemicals industry help to resolve the triple environmental crises?
17:15-18:30 Joint drink with ChemBio DJ and drinks
18:30-19:00 Transit to the city hall
19:00-20.30 Reception and walking dinner at City Hall, ECHA Choir (Invitation only)
Panels
Panel 1: Aligning battery & recyling regulations to maximize the reuse of critical materials
13.30-15.00
Batteries are essential to the green transition but rely on critical and strategic raw materials under increasing supply pressure. This panel explores how battery regulations and recycling guidelines can be better aligned globally to support resilient, competitive and circular value chains. Speakers will discuss the role of international cooperation, common sustainability expectations and principles such as transparency, traceability and circularity in ensuring the efficient and sustainable use of battery materials worldwide.
Moderator
Raymond Ng, Director EU, ChemLinked & REACH24H
Speakers
James Watson, Director General, Eurometaux
Ilka von Dalgwik, Director General, Recharge
Rana Pant, Waste to Resources Unit, DG ENV, European Commission
Martina Petronikova, Associate Professor, Chalmers University of Technology
Panel 2: How can chemicals industry help to resolve the triple environmental crises?
15.30-17.00
The European chemicals industry is facing a severe economic crisis, but also a unique opportunity to accelerate its transformation. This panel explores how the sector can maintain critical production in Europe while advancing defossilisation, detoxification and circularity. Speakers will discuss how aligned EU policies, smart investments and public–private cooperation can enable a “triple-win” transformation that strengthens competitiveness while addressing climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss.
Moderator
Leigh Springer, managing editor of Chemical Watch, Enhesa
Speakers
Kristin Schreiber, Director for Chemicals, DG GROW, European Commission
Tatiana Santos, Policy Manager, Chemicals & Nanotechnology, EEB
Ralf Schulz, Head of Corporate Transformation Strategy, Sika
Joel Tickner, Professor of Public Health, Umass Lowell, Strategic Advisor for Change Chemistry
Thursday 16 April
Programme Day 2
8:30-9:00 Welcoming and coffee
9:00-10:30 Panel 3: Stimulating substitution by regulatory and non-regulatory instruments
10:30-11:00 Coffee and networking at HCF area
11:00-12:30 Panel 4: The role of the Science-Policy Panel in making the GFC a success
12:30-13:00 Presentation at EPAA stand
13:00-14:15 Lunch by EPAA and possibility to visit Pulp & Beyond
14:15-15:45 Panel 5: Challenges to implement the Commission’s roadmap to end animal testing
15:45-16:00 Conclusions and end of the conference
Panels
Panel 3: Stimulating substitution by regulatory and non-regulatory instruments
9:00- 10.30
Innovation is key to the competitiveness of the European chemical industry and to the transition towards safer and more sustainable chemicals. This panel explores how targeted substitution of the most hazardous substances can reduce pollution while creating new business opportunities. It will focus on how EU Innovation and Substitution Hubs, inspired by the INCITE model and aligned with Safe and Sustainable by Design principles, can help overcome innovation barriers, support SMEs, and accelerate the development and scale-up of safer alternatives. Speakers will discuss how collaborative approaches can complement regulation, attract investment and enable the substitution of challenging substances, including PFAS in technical and industrial uses.
Moderator
Otto Linher, Senior Expert of the REACH Unit, DG GROW, European Commission
Speakers
René Korenromp, Policy co-ordinator, Dutch Ministry of the Infrastructure and the Environment
Aidan Turnbull, Product environmental compliance and management systems, Apple
Teresa Kjell, Head of Chemicals Policy, Chemsec
Ian Cousins, Professor of Environmental Organic Chemistry, Stockholm and Lancaster Universities
1
Panel 4: The role of the Science-Policy Panel in making the GFC a success
11.00-12.30
This panel explores how the newly established Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on Chemicals, Waste and Pollution (ISP-CWP) can support the successful implementation of the Global Framework on Chemicals (GFC). Speakers will discuss opportunities for cooperation and coordination between the ISP-CWP, governments and stakeholders to better address pollution and emerging global chemical challenges.
Moderator
Jacqueline Alvarez, Chief of the Chemicals Branch, UNEP
Speakers
Peter Korytar, Team leader, Safe and sustainable chemicals Unit, DG ENV, European Commission
Filipe Almeida, Director, Chemicals Policy, CEFIC
Giulia Carlini, Manager and senior attorney, CIEL
Lamin Jaiteh, Registrar of Pesticides and hazardous Chemicals, National Environment Agency, The Gambia
Panel 5: Challenges to implement the Commission’s roadmap to end animal testing
14.15-15.45
This panel examines how the European Roadmap to phase out animal testing can be translated into a robust, science-based chemical safety framework that relies on non-animal methods. It will explore the scientific, regulatory and decision-making challenges of using integrated non-animal approaches, including how to build confidence in safety conclusions, manage uncertainty and ensure reliability and reproducibility. Speakers will also discuss the importance of international harmonisation, notably through the OECD, to ensure regulatory acceptance and achieve meaningful reductions in animal testing while maintaining high levels of protection for human health and the environment.
Moderator
Patience Browne, Principal Administrator, Environmental Directorate, OECD
Speakers
Gavin Maxwell, Head of Regulatory Science Strategy, Unilever, Industry Co-Chair at EPAA
Georg Streck, Policy officer, REACH Unit, DG GROW, European Commission
Ofelia Bercaru, Director Prioritisation and integration, ECHA
Julia Pochat, Political advisor chemicals strategy, Eurogroup for Animals