1A          Socio-economic aspects of Circularity in the city of Amsterdam   

Speakers:  Jorren Bosga (Monitor Circular Economy, municipality of Amsterdam), Toon Maassen (Co-founder Café de Ceuvel, Founder of Future Planet Actions), Rieta Aliredjo (Amsterdam Donut Coalition ambassador)

Moderators: Marco Tibaldi and Monalisa Goswami (Amsterdam Chemistry Network)

“Circularity” and “Doughnut Economics” are terms which are surging in popularity, and the City of Amsterdam has formally committed to make their key principles part of the daily lives of its citizens. Circular handling of material and energy flows, waste valorization and design for longevity are just a few examples of the strategies that will allow us to meet the core needs of all, but within the means of the planet. During this session we will discuss with guests who are facilitating this transition towards circularity. People who are working on policy and regulations, who are helping the city to stay within its ecological boundaries, who demonstrated that concrete initiatives can be successful already today. From Innovation Lab Chemistry Amsterdam we are happy to host a parallel session around a topic that the City of Amsterdam wants to be a forerunner in. It will consist of a panel discussion with great involvement of the audience, who is welcome to participate with comments and questions. 

1B          Spin-off from cultural heritage research

Speakers: dr. Francesca Gabrieli (Rijkmuseum), Fréderique Broers (Rijksmuseum/UvA/UU), Iris Groeneveld (VU Amsterdam)

Chair: Joen Hermans (UvA/Rijksmuseum)

The Amsterdam area is rich in cultural heritage as well as in chemistry research opportunities. This session highlights some of the exciting research that is carried out between the universities, museums and industry that demonstrates how cultural heritage questions are driving forward the development of techniques for chemical analysis. In the TooCOLD project, a research team is developing an innovative UV/Vis exposure cell coupled online to liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to study the degradation of light-sensitive compounds from artists's dyes to food ingredients. Researchers from Project Nightwatch at the Rijksmuseum will share their efforts to determine the chemical composition of Rembrandt's masterpiece with millimeter precision. Finally, we will hear how researchers are pushing the limits of what we can learn from tiny paint samples by applying state-of-the-art synchrotron-based X-ray techniques at the microscale.

1C An innovative educational format for thesis supervision, enabling university-industry chemistry knowledge and tech transfer

Speakers: Marlous Blankesteijn (VU Amsterdam), Bart Bossink (VU Amsterdam)

Organization of thesis supervision as a team effort, away from the traditional 1-on-1 supervision, for enabling university-industry chemistry knowledge and technology transfer? It is possible, and produces better results. Students graduate faster and better, while the supervisor can provide guidance faster and easier. This workshop provides an introduction to a format for the coordination of supervision of bachelor's and master's theses. This format has been developed for the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs in Science, Business & Innovation. The format is based on the idea of ​​thesis supervision as a joint effort of a team of coordinators and supervisors. Students are encouraged to claim ownership of their projects and it is based on student activation. An important product of these projects is enhanced university-industry knowledge circulation of innovative chemistry knowledge and technology. How this format works, and how it leads to better university-industry knowledge circulation, is the central topic of this workshop. The format will be introduced by prof. dr. ir. Bart Bossink and dr. Marlous Blankesteijn. Two examples of current graduation projects in Life & Health and Energy & Sustainability will be presented by students themselves. This educational innovation has won the BETA Innovation Prize 2021 and has been presented at the VU Education Day.

Bio
Dr Marlous Blankesteijn is an assistant professor at the Science Business Innovation (SBI) division, Faculty of Science, VU Amsterdam. She is currently acting program director of the Bachelor's program Science Business Innovation (SBI). Her teaching focuses on the development of knowledge and skills for scientific entrepreneurship, and the organization of science-based innovation for sustainable development - with an emphasis on project education. Marlous coordinates the master's theses and projects in the master's program SBI. Every year she supervises 10+ bachelor's theses and 15+ master's theses. Marlous' research focuses on governance and organization of scientific research and R&D for sustainable innovation, both at an intra-organizational level and from a broader, innovation ecosystem perspective, with a special interest in innovation in water management.

Prof.dr.ir. Bart Bossink is professor of science, business and innovation (SBI) and heads the SBI-division at VU Amsterdam. The division and its educational and research programs focus on university-industry knowledge-and-tech exchange-and-transfer, in the fields of life sciences, health sciences, sustainable energy and circular product renewal.

2A          Organic waste valorization

Speakers: Francesco Mutti (UvA/HIMS), Shiju Raveendran (UvA), Niek Persoon (Amsterdam Green Campus) and Chris Slootweg (UvA/HIMS)

Organization: Niek Persoon (Amsterdam Green Campus)

In a circular economy, we should overcome depletion of the earth’s raw materials, re-utilize essential elements, and prevent waste beforehand.  In day to day practice we are however confronted with waste. In this parallel session, the focus is on organic waste valorisation. We will address some examples from UvA & HIMS and see that the challenge is not just in technology but moreover in social organisation, consumer’s attitude, and in business economics.

Speakers           

1.          Francesco Mutti: “Selective Biocatalysis as a means for value creation.”

2.          Shiju Raveendran: “Hydrothermal Liquefaction: organic and plastic waste for Jet fuel.”

3.          Niek Persoon: “Market introduction of Fermented Vit B12 enriched waste from vegetables.”

4.           Chris Slootweg: “Prevention of Waste. Safe and Sustainable by Design.”

2B          Infrastructure for circular industry

Speakers: Floris van Foreest (Port of Amsterdam), Jan Willem Reuchling (Port of Amsterdam), Thomas Steenbergen (Port of Amsterdam)

The Port of Amsterdam is a main European energy port with production, storage and transshipment of energy carriers. The core of its strategy (2025) is to take a leading role in the energy transition and subsequent path to production, storage and distribution of renewable and synthetic fuels. The port invests in creating the right development conditions for these activities such as spatial integration (both physical as external safety) and access to infrastructure (energy and nautical). Regarding the latter, new circular industrial activities require large volumes of feedstock such (waste) biomass, hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide. Hence, depending on the nature of the process, companies need access to a quay in order to import the raw materials and connection to a high or low pressure hydrogen and/or CO₂ grid. Given these conditions, the port has engaged in partnerships with grid operators to realize these types of infrastructure, which also includes investment commitment. In addition, spatial integration plans are prepared to accommodate the actual construction. In addition, quay sides are developed to secure the nautical requirements.

In a dense industrial and logistical area, development of infrastructure is a challenging task, which requires solid research, creativity, entrepreneurship and perseverance.

2C          Skills for future chemists

Chair: Chiat Cheong PhD, (Qia consultancy & Training)

Panelists: Massimo Casanova, Monique Bruining, Diego Millo, Sara Blanken

You already have a degree in chemistry or you will get one soon. You want to embark on a career path that will be fulfilling and long-lasting. You want to be appreciated as an asset to the organisation that you are working at. What skills other than chemistry are hiring managers and recruiters looking for these days? Is it possible or even needed, to leverage your affinity in skills like programming, design or marketing to set yourself apart? In this interactive panel discussion, we will talk to professionals about the most wanted auxiliary skills in the chemical industry.