Some 65 delegates from industry, academia and consulting attended physically a packed program on 11th December 2024 in Athens, where the European context, the principles and initiatives of Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) were elaborated for three value chains of priority: Packaging, Construction Materials and Fragrances. Some 40 more attended via online connection, including speakers from abroad.
The Workshop started with several introductory presentations, notably by DG RTD’s Sofie Norager, who eloquently deployed the EU policies for industry at large and the chemical industry in particular. Eva-Kathrin Schillinger followed with a deep look at SusChem’s efforts over the last 20 years to advance sustainable chemistry through science-based advocacy and the Platform’s ambitious plans for the future, while Emma Stromberg of IVL explained the IRISS project, which has studied in some depth seven value chains in the context of SSbD and is building fast the populous permanent SSbD community. Panos Scarlatos, the General Director of the Hellenic Association of Chemical Industries, presented the great resilience of the Greek chemical industry over many hurdles, including increasing regulatory pressures and the Transition Pathway which will lead the Greek chemical industry to a more sustainable future.
The Greek industry gave a strong presence with speakers from the three value chains, who painted today’s picture of their respected industries and elaborated on their efforts towards an innovatively sustainable future. The tone was defined by the chairman of the Hellenic Association of Chemical Industries, Mr. Armodios Yannidis, who livened the discussion panel together with Electra Papadopoulou representing the Association of Greek Chemists and Professor Antonis Kokossis, representing the European Federation of Chemical Engineering.
In the sessions that followed, speakers from the European associations of the value chains introduced their sectors and their views on SSbD. Catherine Colin of IPC spoke on packaging, Johan Breukelaar of EFCC spoke on chemicals in construction materials and Aurelie Perrichet homed in on a case study IFRA has carried out with the SSbD framework on fragrance components. The sessions gave room to Messrs Dimitris Mandis of SYVIPYS, Paschalis Kastanas of Nestle Hellas, Katerina Chatzinikola of PSVAK, Electra Papadopoulou of CHIMAR and George Drakos of EMC Skin Care to present and converse with the audience.
Special thanks go to George Stasinos, President of the Technical Chamber of Greece, who accepted the challenge of his organisation hosting the Workshop and Liana Anagnostaki whose fervent enthusiasm made the event possible.
Thanks are also due to the organising committee coming from the IPSEN Unit of the National Technical University of Athens as hosts of SusChem Greece and from the Technical Chamber of Greece, who undertook the burden of organising the venue, meals and general administration of the event.
Finally, it has been a sheer pleasure to meet all those who devoted time to attend the workshop and offer their commentary, questions and knowledege.
The event was moderated by Stelios Bikos, Coordinator of SusChem Greece.
For a sum-up of the event, with the agenda, presentations and photographs, visit the link.