2026
Renewable Materials Conference
Siegburg, Germany
On 22 September, SusCheM participated in the Renewable Materials Conference 2026 in Siegburg, Germany, presenting the latest progress of the ULTRA-BIO project.
ULTRA-BIO aims to develop a harmonized framework for the life cycle assessment of bio-based materials. During the workshop, Dr. Alonso Albalate and Prof. Yvonne van der Meer from Maastricht University, together with Dr. Seunghye Lee from Utrecht University, presented the project’s emerging recommendations.
The workshop focused on practical challenges in modeling circular strategies, including:
- Defining system boundaries across multiple life cycles.
- Selecting functional units for comparing circular strategies.
- Using circularity indicators as complementary tools to LCA.
- Modeling plastic littering and leakage at end-of-life.
- Quantifying microplastic generation and accumulation.
Researchers, LCA practitioners, and industrial partners actively contributed questions, experiences, and feedback. Their input will support the continued development of a consistent and applicable LCA framework for bio-based materials.
International Conference of Social Life Cycle Assessment
Bogor, Indonesia
In June, our colleagues Andi Naufaldi & Michelle Gian presented their joint project at the 10th International Conference on Social Life Cycle Assessment. They presented ongoing research about their development of a practical guideline to conduct prospective social LCA by learning from prospective environmental LCA.
SETAC
Maastricht, the Netherlands
In May, our colleagues Rebekka Brandwijk & Ruud Bongers presented posters about their research at the Europe 36th Annual Meeting of Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Rebekka showed how combining Life Cycle Assessment and material characterization can help overcome lack of data availability, while Ruud discussed how Life Cycle Assessment and circularity assessment offer valuable but sometimes different perspectives on design choices.
2025
EUBCE
Valencia, Spain
In June, our colleagues Andi Naufaldi & Michelle Gian presented their projects in Poster presentation. At this annual European Biomass conference, Andi highlighted the impact of electricity usage in the novel process to convert biomass into acrylonitrile and hydrogen; and Michelle emphasized the need for a harmonized set of social indicators to make a valid social impact assessment for the waste and biofuel industry.
2024
NWO CHAINS
Veldhoven, the Netherlands
In December, our colleague Rebekka Brandwijk presented the CAREFREE project at NWO CHAINS 2024. At this annual Dutch chemistry conference, she highlighted current environmental impacts of the healthcare sector. Additionally, she emphasized the need for more insights regarding materials and pharmaceuticals used in healthcare to make the sector more sustainable.
International Conference of Social Life Cycle Assessment
Curitiba, Brazil
In May, our colleague Michelle Gian had the opportunity to present her initial results in an oral presentation at the 9th International Conference on Social Life Cycle Assessment. She made several valuable connections for collaboration, and enjoyed a tour of the city of Curitiba.
