SAVE
THE
DATE
9-11 | March | 2027
The conference aims to promote the production of high added value products across diverse sectors of the economy through sustainable practices and cutting-edge technologies.
370+
Inspiring
Speakers
10+
Innovation
Tours
50+
Countries
1900+
Attendees
290+
Sponsors & Exhibitors
2600+
B2B Meetings
Key highlights
Focus:
Objective:
Importance:
By facilitating discussions and showcasing the latest advancements in biomass valorization, BIOKET contributes to the growth and sustainability of the bioeconomy sector.
Why attend
Global Networking
B2B
Meetings
Inspiring
Talks
High-Level Audience
Innovation Tours
Unique Experience
BIOKET 2026 Program
The BIOKET 2026 Program is now live—discover the key topics shaping the future of the bioeconomy and start planning your visit.
Click on the days below to view each day’s schedule.
B2B MEETINGS - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
OPENING CEREMONY KEYNOTE SESSION 1 - 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
CHAIRMAN | Welcome Speech
Michel Mangion
President | Bioeconomy for Change
Opening Words
Bruno Marmier
President | Grand Council of the Canton of Fribourg
Partner Welcome Words
Jerry Krattiger
Managing Director | Fribourg Development Agency
Sponsor’s Speech
Wolfgang Ranfft
Global Vice-President Bio-Based Products | De Smet Engineers & Contractors
Sponsor
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
This Keynote Session will challenge the narrative that new bio-based technologies must immediately outperform or perfectly replace their fossil-based counterparts in every dimension—from efficiency and cost to environmental footprint. It will ask whether our expectations for perfection are slowing down the very transition we need, and whether innovation should be given room to evolve, scale, and improve over time.
The session will compare the historical evolution of fossil-based products with today’s fast-paced demands on bio-based solutions. It will explore how regulation, industry standards, and public perception can either enable or stifle progress—and how to shift toward a more pragmatic, enabling environment for bio-based innovation.
Chairman
Olivier Rolland
Global Director Strategic Initiatives | L'oréal Research & Innovation
Keynote Speaker
Annie Tsong
Senior VP of Product Development and Corporate Affairs | Amyris
Keynote Speaker
Christoph Kobler
VP Head of RD&I Biotechnology | Evonik
ROUND TABLE
Veronica Breckenridge
Founder & Managing Partner | First Bight Ventures
Ed de Jong
VP Development | Avantium
Matthew Berdy
Global Commercial Director | Sustainea
Dr. Gerd Unkelbach
Director Molecular Bioproducts R&D | UPM Biochemicals
Eva Wilke
VP White Biotechnology Research | BASF
Christophe Dardel
Strategic Partnership Director | Afyren
There are many variations of passages of Lorem Ipsum available, but the majority have suffered alteration in some form, by injected humour, or randomised words which don't look even slightly believable.
Keynote Speaker
Christophe Dardel
Strategic Partnerships Director | Afyren
Keynote Speaker
Yi-Shu Tai
CTO | Bota Biosciences
Keynote Speaker
Paul Joël Derian
Chief Sustainable Development and Innovation Officer | Avril
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
By combining scientific insight, industrial use cases and data-driven intelligence, this sequence demonstrates how sustainable building blocks accelerate the shift toward sustainable materials and chemicals, culminating in the launch of the B4C Sustainable Building Blocks Database.
Chairman: Introduction of the building block importance
Florent Allais
Director | URD-ABI AgroParisTech
Keynote Speaker: B4C Sustainable Building Blocks data base
Théo Guérin
Competitive Intelligence Consultant | B4C
Keynote Speaker: The Molecule Manifesto: From Promise to Production in Industrial Biotechnology
Massimo Portincaso
CEO & Cofounder | Arsenale BioYards
Keynote Speaker: 5-HMF: A bio-based building block entering industrial reality
Marilyne Hurtado
Business Developer Innovative Molecules | Michelin Resicare
NETWORKING BREAK - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Sponsored by
WORKSHOP 1 - 1:30 PM - 2:50 PM
1:30 PM - 2:50 PM
This session brings together leading industrial players and start-ups to reveal how companies adopt new technologies. It includes industry talks, collaboration testimonials, and an open discussion on criteria, processes, key learnings, and best practices for building successful innovation partnerships.
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
Giorgia Scetta
Circular Materials Lead & Partner Manager | MassChallenge
INDUSTRY PRESENTATIONS
- How they adopt external innovations
- Their selection criteria
- Collaboration process
- Best practices: what to do / what to avoid
Edwina Romanens
Head of Biotech in Europe | Givaudan
Maria Eugenia Barcos
Lead of Nestlé Research Startup Program | Nestlé
START-UP TESTIMONIALS
- Short presentation of their collaboration experience with industrial players
- Key learnings and recommendations
Florent Héroguel
Co-CEO & Co-founder | Bloom Biorenewables
Lukas Schertel
CEO & Co-founder | Seprify
PANEL DISCUSSION
- Open discussion between industrial players, start-ups, and the audience
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STARTUP PITCH - 2:50 PM - 3:35 PM
2:50 PM -
3:35 PM
BIOKET 2026 will once again spotlight the most promising startups shaping the future of the bioeconomy through two dynamic Startup Pitch Sessions. Taking place on the first day of the event, these sessions offer a unique platform to present breakthrough innovations to a high-level audience of investors, corporates, and industry leaders.
Pitch Format & Competition Structure
Initial Pitch Round
- 3 minutes pitch per startup
- Supporting PowerPoint presentation allowed
Q&A Challenge – immediately after each pitch
- The speaker will randomly pick a question from a bowl and will have 30 seconds to respond
This fast-paced interaction tests clarity, agility, and market understanding.
Final Selection Round
- The jury — mainly composed of investors and industry representatives — will select the best startups from each vertical.
- Finalists will deliver a 1-minute elevator pitch and participate in Q&A session with the jury
PITCH FACILITATOR
Yann Steulet
Director | FRIUP
PITCH FACILITATOR
Filippo Martinelli
Dirctor | Magfi LTD
VERTICAL - AgriFood & Life Science
2:50 PM
Introduction
2:55 PM
Algiecel A/S
3:00 PM
Primogene GmbH
3:05 PM
Novobiom
3:10 PM
Gaia Tech
3:15 PM
CoA Initiative
3:20 PM
Profilia
3:25 PM
Cosaic
3:30 PM
Reify
3:35 PM
Teravenir
Sponsor
Organized in partnership with
WORKSHOP 2 - 2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
De Smet Engineers & Contractors (DSEC) builds the ecosystem that transforms scale-up ambitions into industrial reality.
As processes evolve and assumptions shift, we act as a strategic facilitator with an adaptive execution mindset and key contributions to early-stage development.
Our approach is built for change ! Our partnering approach de-risk start-up’s and industrials investment decisions based on reliable CAPEX delivered before execution, contracted through EPCM, EP+CM, EPC or EPCM+ models.
CHAIRMAN
Raphäel Hannoir
Sales & Marketing Manager | De Smet Engineers & Contractors
Lessons learned from scaling-up hardwood lignocellulosic biorefinery
Peep Pitk
Chief Strategic Business Development Officer | Fibenol
Easier said than scaled
Ydna M. Questell-Santiago
Chief Technology Officer | Bloom Biorenewables
Biotechnology and engineering, best practices for process development and successful production
Arnaud Guilleret
Operations Director | Interis
Engineering Partnerships That Deliver: How GEA and DSEC Turn Complexity Into Performance
Tore Hartmann
Senior Product Manager Biochemicals | GEA Westfalia Separator Group GmbH
Sustainability as a business driver
Reinout De Boeck
VP of Engineering | TripleW
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B2B MEETINGS
COFFEE BREAK - 3:35 PM - 4:05 PM
Sponsored by
STARTUP PITCH - 4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
4:05 PM -
5:40 PM
BIOKET 2026 will once again spotlight the most promising startups shaping the future of the bioeconomy through two dynamic Startup Pitch Sessions. Taking place on the first day of the event, these sessions offer a unique platform to present breakthrough innovations to a high-level audience of investors, corporates, and industry leaders.
Pitch Format & Competition Structure
Initial Pitch Round
- 3 minutes pitch per startup
- Supporting PowerPoint presentation allowed
Q&A Challenge – immediately after each pitch
- The speaker will randomly pick a question from a bowl and will have 30 seconds to respond
This fast-paced interaction tests clarity, agility, and market understanding.
Final Selection Round
- The jury — mainly composed of investors and industry representatives — will select the best startups from each vertical.
- Finalists will deliver a 1-minute elevator pitch and participate in Q&A session with the jury
PITCH FACILITATOR
Yann Steulet
Director | FRIUP
PITCH FACILITATOR
Filippo Martinelli
Dirctor | Magfi LTD
VERTICAL - BIOMATERIALS
4:05 PM
Introduction
4:10 PM
Treeless AG
4:15 PM
Blue Ocean Closures
4:20 PM
High Tech Binders
4:25 PM
Vegskin
4:30 PM
Alternative Innovation (Alterskin®)
4:35 PM
Bloom Biorenewables SA
VERTICAL - BIOCHEMICALS
4:42 PM
AmphiStar
4:47 PM
Fermelanta, Inc
4:52 PM
Pyran, Inc
4:57 PM
Seprify
5:02 PM
Celluol
Sponsor
Organized in partnership with
WORKSHOP 3 - 4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
This workshop will introduce LCA4BIO, a project developing improved and harmonized methodologies to assess environmental, social and economic impacts and circularity in bio-based systems. After presenting the project’s goals and key innovations, participants will join an interactive co-creation session to share perspectives and insights. Their contributions will guide the development of practical, user-oriented Life Cycle Costing (LCC) methodology and tool that support the sustainable growth of Europe’s bio-based industry.
AGENDA
4:05 PM – 4:25 PM – Agenda, consortium, and project overview
4:25 PM – 4:45 PM – Life Cycle Costing in the bio-based industry
4:45 PM – 5:00 PM – LCC tool
5:00 PM – 5:30 PM – Co-creation workshop
5:30 PM – 5:40 PM – Next steps and closing remarks
TOPICS COVERED
- Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
- Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) applied to bio-based systems
- Life Cycle Costing (LCC): tools and methodologies
WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
Lucia Garcia Santos
Head of R&D Projects Implementation at Contactica and coordinator of the LCA4BIO project
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KET 1 - 4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
Technical program will be available soon.
CHAIRWOMAN
Magali Bischof
General Secretary | BioAlps
CHAIRMAN
Eric Plan
General Secretary | Cleantech Alps
Scaling carbon removal: Lessons from HTC and subsurface storage
Timothy Baars
Head of Storage | Recoal AG
Patent to Plant
Julien Thiel
CEO | Deasyl
Building the Pathway: Scaling Myco valorisation from Lab to Pilot—Onsite Modular Solutions for Whiskey Pot Ale to Food-Grade Protein
Vincent Farrelly
CEO | Niskus Biotec
CCU-to-Food: Scaling-up Industrial CO2 Fermentation
Diego Grumbach
CTO | Solmeyea
Market sector-dependent upscaling in plant cell culture
Sylvain Legay
Lead Research | LIST
Why the biorefineries fail? – Lessons learned from 20 years experience
Stamatina Sideri
Business Development Manager | API Europe
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B2B MEETINGS
5:40 PM
CHEESE & WINE COCKTAIL - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Sponsored by
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B2B MEETINGS - 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
SCALING-UP FACILITIES PITCH - 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM
8:30 AM -
9:45 AM
The Scaling-Up Facilities Pitch & Fair connects innovators with open-access pilot and demo infrastructures!
Organized by COPILOT during BIOKET, this dedicated session brings together the Pilots4U by CoPilot community—open-access pilot and demonstration infrastructures for the bioeconomy—with bio-innovators, industrial players, and investors.
What to expect:
- Pitching sessions where pilot and demo infrastructures present their capabilities, collaboration models, and readiness to support scale-up
- Intense matchmaking enabling innovators to have one-on-one discussions with pilot and demo infrastructures (PDIs)
The concept of a PDI Fair combines structured presentations with direct networking opportunities, creating concrete connections between innovators seeking scale-up support and infrastructures ready to facilitate the transition from development to market.
Chairwoman
Anne Kokel
EU Project Manager | Bioeconomy for Change
Plant cell culture at LIST: the green engine of tomorrow
Sylvain Legay
Lead Researcher | LIST - Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology
Overcoming the pilot-plant valley-of-death when scaling-up cultivated food products
Nicolò Razza
Head of Process Development | The Cultered Hub
Bridging Lab and Industry with Scalable Fermentation Solutions
Marco Pistocchi
General Manager |Biosphere S.r.l.
SmartRoute™ to Biomanufacturing – Flexible Development and Scale-up of Biosolutions
Bor Klančnik
BD manager | Acies Bio d.o.o.
Processium, your process development partner
Flavio Benevides
Strategic Development Director | Processium/Technip Energies
Algae Bioprocesses Platform – R&D – CEA
Julie Person
Industrial Partnership Manager for Algae R&D Platform | CEA - R&D Algae & Processes Platform
VTT Pilots
Petri Ihalainen
Customer Account Lead | VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd
Scaling up continuous fermentation process
Guillaume Le Cloirec
Sales Engineer | ATV- Technologies
How to empower the industrialization of your process
Guillaume Lamy
Commercial Director | ARD
From Lab to Factory – How GEA Supports You in Scaling Your Biotechnological Processes
David Vorländer
Application Manager New Food | GEA Liquid Technologies Germany GmbH
From Lab to Fab: Accelerating Biobased Innovation
Rakesh Nair
Business Development Manager | Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant
From Discovery to Scale-Up: The Design for Manufacture Methodology
Chloe Howell
Business Manager | Biocatalysis
FOOD FAB LAB: de-risking scale-up
Marco Alves
R&D Agrifood Manager | Tagus Valley
Partner
KEYNOTE SESSION 2 - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Pharmaceutical innovation is at a turning point. For decades, chemical intermediates have been the backbone of APIs and excipients. But the next wave of progress lies in biomanufacturing, where biotechnology transforms renewable feedstocks into pharma-grade functional ingredients — in fewer steps, with reduced environmental impact, and with unprecedented control over functionality and performance.
This Keynote Session will highlight how biomanufacturing reshapes both sides of the pharma value chain:
- Excipients & Functional Ingredients: Fermentation- and bio-based polymers, polysaccharides, and stabilizers offering better solubility, bioavailability, and patient compliance, with a sustainability advantage.
- Integrated Bioprocessing: The promise of “one-step” biomanufacturing platforms where both actives and excipients can be derived from the same biological system, reducing complexity and boosting resilience.
Strategic Perspectives:
- Sustainability & ESG: Meeting pharma’s rising demand for greener supply chains and reducing the carbon footprint of formulations.
- Innovation in Functionality: Designing new excipients with novel functionalities (e.g., targeted delivery, controlled release, enhanced stability).
- Regulatory & Market Readiness: Aligning with the EU Biotech Act and regulatory frameworks to accelerate market adoption.
Chairwoman
Katharina Fromm
Rector | University of Fribourg
Keynote Speaker
Roland Wohlgemuth
President | Swiss Coordination Committee Biotechnology (SKB)
Keynote Speaker
Charlotte Capelle
Business Developpment Manager | Sartorius
Keynote Speaker
Ollï Kähkönen
Co-Founder/CEO/Director of Innovation | Nordic Bioproducts Group
Keynote Speaker
Geoffrey Folie
Head of Internal Manufacturing | UCB
ROUND TABLE
Guillaum Lamy
Commercial Director | ARD
Juliette Martin
Scientific Communication Manager | Seqens
Geoffrey Folie
Head of Internal Manufacturing | UCB
Marco Pellegrini
Bioeconomy Manager | CEFIC
Sponsor
12:00 PM - 12:30 PM
Sponsor
POSTER PRESENTATION - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
1:00 PM -
2:00 PM
Overcoming the scale-up challenge: developing a process to scale-up the synthesis and extraction of cellulose micro particles
Christophe Allemann
Professor of Process Chemistry & Head of ChemTech | HEIA HES-SO//FR
Valorization of Microalgae as a Source of Biomass and Renewable Energy
Michal Dabros
Professor | HES-SO University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland
Pilot Scale-up Strategies for Biobased Acetal Monomers in High-performance Polymers
Sylvie Wigmans
Doctoral student | HEIA-FR & EPFL
An enzymatic strategy for the valorisation of corn processing by-products
Mingqin Li
Senior researcher | Food Science, Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg
Valorization of Lignin Through Oxyalkylation and Maleation: A Step Toward Bio-Based Polymers
Ume Farwa
Doctoral researcher | University of Helsinski
Understanding Alkali Lignin Solubility Through Predictive Modeling
Hifza Rouf
PhD researcher | University of Helsinski
From lab to industry: Techno-Economic Assessment of lipase production using biowaste as carbon source using Pichia pastoris
Ana Del Hierro Calvachi
PhD candidate/ Junior Bioprocess Specialist | University College Dublin/ Bionet
Unlocking reproducible, robust, and high-performance bioprocessing with yeast-derived bionutrients
Marie Schöpping
R&D Technologist | Ohly GmbH
Advancing Fungal Discovery into a High-Rate Biomanufacturing Process: Food-Grade DoE-Optimised Neurospora sp. F20595 and Circular Production Strategies
Anuj Lipton
Senior scientist | A*STAR's Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI)
Data driven optimization of Paenibacillus polymyxa EPS fermentation: Application of multistep DOEs and machine learning (logistic regression)
Jan Grundheber
PhD candidate | TUM Technical University of Munich
PHAGRI: phages for agriculture
Maëlle Bochud
Senior Academic Associate | Biofactory Competence Center (BCC)
Robust industrial biocatalysts with peroxygenase, phenol-oxidase or furfuryl-oxidase activities from bacterial and fungal hosts
Marta Pérez-Boada
Project Manager | Center for Biological Research Margarita Salas, CSIC
Extremophilic Microalgae in a Floating Light Ball Reactor (FLBR®): Cultivation of thermophilic PCC 6715 and hypersaline Dunaliella salina
Patrick Maurer
Scientific employee | htw saar - University of applied sciences
Cultivation of the Microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum in a Floating Light Ball Reactor (FLBR®) on Different Scales
Mutlu Yildirim
Scientific employee | htw saar - University of applied sciences
Precision Phage Production Using Impedence Flow Cytometry Technology
Carmen Jungo Rhême
professor and director of the Biofactory Competence Center, leads bioprocess and phage therapy research | HEIA-FR / HES-SO Fribourg
Real-time monitoring of Escherichia coli cultures using spectroscopic methods
César-Enrique Rodriguez Fano
PhD candidate in Biochemistry | University of Lyon
Sponsor
NETWORKING BREAK - 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Sponsored by
KET 2 - 2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
Enzymes and biocatalysis are becoming central pillars of modern manufacturing. Through the lens of Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), this session examines how advances in enzyme design, materials and process integration are driving the next generation of scalable and sustainable enzymatic production systems.
CHAIRMAN
Advancements and open challenges in the development of biocatalytic processes
Volker Sieber
Professor | TUM
State-of-the-art technology for discovery and engineering of industrial enzymes
Laura Tiessler
Senior Scientist | Zymvol
Enzymatic process for ADAME production
Arthur Cornet
Biocatalysis Leader | Arkema
Enxylascope Project: Enzymatic Deconstruction of Xylan Biomass for Novel High-Value Cosmetic Ingredients
Arnaud Masselin
Biocatalysis Leader | Seppic
Lipase‑Catalyzed Synthesis of Biosourced Estolides from Hydroxylated C18 to C22 Fatty Acids
Juliette Martin
Scientific Communication Manager | Seqens
From Catalysts to Biocatalysts: Leveraging advanced materials expertise to scale up biocatalyst production
François-Xavier Chiron
New Business Development Manager: Advanced Materials & Catalysts | Technip Energies
Sponsor
KET 3 - 2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) are unlocking new ways to nourish people while respecting the planet. This session examines how KETs enable the transition from promising concepts to scalable, environmentally responsible food production systems, from microalgae to cellular biomass.
CHAIRMAN
Damien Paineau
CEO | Ferments du Futur
Mechanical cell disruption of the green microalga Chloroidium saccharophilum using the bead mill NanoWitt-100 (Frewitt Ltd.): Effects on protein digestibility and aroma profile
Daniel Kurpan
Post-doctoral researcher | Agroscope
Synthetic Microbial Ecology for Plant-Based Fermentation and Functional Food Design
Julien Tap
Research scientist | INRAE
Riboflavin production through solid state fermentation on agro-industrial byproducts and building of the associated mechanistic model for further scale-up
Quentin Carboue
Researcher in biobased transitions | URD ABI - AgroParisTech
Scalable animal-cell biomass production using food-grade media: a cost-optimized bioprocess for the circular bioeconomy
Didier Toubia
Co-Founder & CEO | Aleph Farm
Capsule based cell expansion: A new route to produce large amounts of adherently growing cells
Daniel Ropoport
Senior Scientist | CellTec Systems GmbH
PROSPECTIVES Project: Unlocking Microalgae Potential as a Sustainable Alternative Protein Source
Julie Person
Industrial Partnership Manager for Algae R&D Platform | CEA - R&D Algae & Processes Platform
Sponsor
KET 4 - 2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
Building a sustainable bioeconomy requires measuring more than performance—it requires measuring impact.
Through Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), this session highlights how environmental and socioeconomic insights guide more ethical, transparent and inclusive bioeconomy pathways.
CHAIRWOMAN | How environmental assessments can support the development of a sustainable bioeconomy?
Aïcha El khamlichi
Scientific Coordinator – Bio-based Products and Biofuels | ADEME
Monitoring Systems of the European Bioeconomy and its potential use to develop the Irish Bioeconomy
Jorge Diaz Huerta
Bioeconomy researcher | Teagasc
Life Cycle Assessment of Upcycled Sophorolipids Reveals Significant Environmental Advantages
Sofie Lodens
Product and Project Manager | AmphiStar BV
SYMBA: Smart Symbiosis and AI-Driven Process Modelling for a circular bioeconomy
Antonietta Pizza
Head of EU Projects Unit | Enco srl
TEA as a tool to steer R&D towards successful business cases.
Maurizio Bettiga
Chief Innovation Officer | Italbiotec srl
High-throughput microbioreactors — driving smarter bioeconomy decisions and impact
Sebastian Blum
Market Development Manager | Beckman Life Sciences
Sponsor
STARTUP WORKSHOP - 2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
2:00 PM - 3:35 PM
The objective of the workshop is to review your fundraising approach to ensure it is consistent with your overall strategy, and that it is realistic and aligned with current investor expectations. It helps start-ups assess the plausibility and coherence of their fundraising plans in light of current market standards. Through a combination of guided discussions and AI-based analytical tools, the start-ups gain a clear and factual understanding of how their fundraising compares to investor expectations.
Workshop Facilitator
Brigitte Baumann
CEO and Founder | efino.ia
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum | Lorem Ipsum
Sponsor
B2B MEETINGS
2:00 PM
3:35 PM
COFFEE BREAK - 3:35 PM - 4:05 PM
Sponsored by
KET 5 - 4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
This session highlights how Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) are engineering the future of biomanufacturing by combining advanced biology, digital intelligence and systems thinking to build scalable, data-driven and sustainable production platforms.
CHAIRMAN
Adham Rizk
Sales & Commercial Manager - Industrial Biosolutions | Bühler Group
Industrial Scalable Platform Technologies for Microalgae Cultivation
Timo Gehring
Professor of bio- and environmental process engineering | htw saar - university of applied sciences
Innovation with Solid-State Fermentation
Tadashi Hara
Solid-State Fermentation Project Manager & Section Chief | Fujiwara Techno-Art Co.
Chip-based multi-parameters sensor for real-time bioprocess monitoring, enabling AI-driven optimization in manufacturing.
Tifenn Naour
Chief of Staff | InSpek
Exploitation of model-based methods in biomanufacturing
Jan Niklas Pauk
Senior Research Scientist | Competence Center CHASE
Embedding Biomanufacturing in a Sustainable Society: Smart, Circular, and Responsive Biobased Production Systems
Maarten Verhoeven
Scientist | Wageningen University and Research
Bringing GenAI to the Genome: Unlocking whole genome strain design for efficient feedstock conversion to protein
Sarah Bolmer
Head of Product | Triplebar
Sponsor
KET 6 - 4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
Biomass is becoming a cornerstone of more circular and responsible chemical production and Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) are reshaping the way that chemicals are designed, sourced and produced. This session highlights how innovation supports sustainable pathways from renewable resources to functional chemicals.
CHAIRMAN
Alois Kindler
Research Fellow | BASF
Advancing Agrochemical Sustainability with CTO-Derived Innovations: SYLVASOLV™ Oils, Rosin Esters, TOFA, and DTO
Sara Frattini
Business Development Manager | Kraton Chemical
Purification of hydrolysates from lignocellulose for fermentation of platform chemicals
Arne Gröngröft
Group Leader Separation Technologies and Process Design | DBFZ - Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum
Production of biochar, gas and bio-oil by biomass pyrolysis: overview of technologies, pilot plants and products quality
Anthony Dufour
Research director | CNRS Nancy
FERTIMANURE – Circular Solutions for Manure Valorization into fertilizers
Audrey Lallement
Research engineer | Rittmo
A Step Further in Circular Economy: Seeking higher responsibility in Alkyl PolyGlucoside surfactants
Florent Bouxin
R&D project Leader | Seppic
Presentation title available soon
Joana Gil Chavez
CEO | Lignopure
Sponsor
KET 7 - 4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
Inspired by nature and enabled by Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), this session showcases how bio-based materials are evolving from alternatives into high-performance solutions shaping the future of sustainable industries.
CHAIRMAN
Rafael Pellicciotta
Strategy, Innovation & BD Manager | Braskem
Bioinspired chemistry as entry to exclusive functional materials
Michael Richter
Head of Department | Fraunhofer - Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB
Valorizing Lignin into Fully Renewable Epoxy Matrices: A Biomass-Conversion Route for Sustainable Composites
Aina Pérez Nakai
PhD Researcher | VITO (Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek)
Exploitation of branched sugar structures for coating and fibre applications
Stefan Hanstein
Project manager | Fraunhofer IWKS
Tailor-made biocatalysts for the sustainable conversion of lignins from the paper pulp industry into bio-based products
Susana Camarero
Sientific Researcher | Center of Biological Research Margarita Salas (CIB), CSIC
Drop-in carbohydrate-based diol for recyclable and low-toxicity thermosets
Maxime Hedou
PhD student | HES-SO Fribourg
Sponsor
STARTUP WORKSHOP - 4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
4:05 PM - 5:40 PM
This session delivers a structured and practical overview of funding opportunities available to start-ups in Europe and Switzerland, with a particular focus on non-dilutive mechanisms. It explains the logic behind European and Swiss research and support programs, clarifies eligibility criteria and funding pathways, and outlines best practices to help founders identify the instruments most aligned with their stage of development and strategic ambition.
Filippo Martinelli (Bio-Invest Europe) will present access routes to European research funding opportunities and provide concrete guidance on how start-ups can successfully secure those fundings.
Ana Hösli (Innosuisse), will present the access routes and possibilities offered by Swiss research and support funding programs, highlighting how start-ups can navigate and leverage these mechanisms effectively, and potentially combine both Swiss and European funding.
Workshop facilitator
Filippo Giancarlo Martinelli
Director | Magfi ltd "Medsea"
Workshop facilitator
Ana Hösli
Supervisor Start-up Coaching | InnoSuisse
Sponsor
B2B MEETINGS
4:05 PM
5:40 PM
NETWORKING COCKTAIL - 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Sponsor
GALA DINNER - 8:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Sponsor
B2B MEETINGS - 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
KET 8 - 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
As biomanufacturing scales, downstream efficiency becomes critical to both performance and sustainability. Through Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), this session highlights how intelligent processing solutions reduce energy use, improve yields and support robust industrial deployment.
CHAIRMAN
Bruno Thomas
Project Director & Head of Clermont-Ferrand office | IPSB
Bridging Lab to Industrial Scale: Smart GEA Separation Solutions for Bioprocess Intensification
Tore Hartmann
Senior Product Manager Biochemicals | GEA Westfalia Separator Group GmbH
Driving industrial performance through digitalization: the Impact of Run 4.0 and Perform 4.0 in industrial purification
Vincent Gavroy
Sales Manager Europe| Applexion
Smart Separation: Advanced Membrane Filtration for Complex Bioprocesses
Joao Andre
Business Development Manager | Kovalus Separation Solutions
Industrial Scale-Down Strategies for Robust Bioproduct Recovery and Purification in Biomanufacturing
Ramnik Singh
Senior Applications Manager, Bio-Chemicals | Sulzer
Biomass valorization: Technical solutions for lignocellulosic sugars purification and lignin recovery
Marie Chauve
Process Innovation Manager | Eurodia
Sponsor
KET 9 - 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
By leveraging Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), biofuel production is evolving toward cleaner, more efficient and more locally anchored energy solutions. This session examines how smarter conversion pathways help reduce fossil dependence while valorizing diverse biomass resources.
CHAIRMAN
Maxime Vassieu
Business Developer / Lead Technologist | Axens
Towards Sustainable Biofuels: A Polyhydroxyalkanoate-Based Approach
Roger Marti
Professor | Haute école d'Ingenieurs et d'Architectes de Fribourg
Brazil’s potential for renewable diesel: oilseed prioritization and process development for HVO production
Victoria Kopp
Researcher | Firjan - SENAI Innovation Institute for Biosynthetic and Fibers
Utilizing waste biomass via innovative thermochemical conversion to produce high quality products
Robert Daschner
Head of Department | Fraunhofer UMSICHT
Mini Green Power compact solutions to dry and convert biomass in low-carbon heat/power/biochar
Servane Gadou-Gueny
Export Sales Director | Mini Green Power
Flying the Future: Advances in Aviation Fuels at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI)
Blake Simmons
Chief Science and Technology Officer | Joint BioEnergy Institute
Driving Bankability of Futurol Lignocellulosic Biorefineries / Finance and R&D: Two Sides of the Same Coin
Emilia Knospe
Technologist BIO | Axens
Sponsor
KET 10 - 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Key Enabling Technologies (KETs) are redefining waste as a resource for sustainable material innovation. This session explores how circular design principles and advanced bio-based technologies transform residual streams into functional materials with environmental and societal value.
CHAIRMAN
Marzio Monagheddu
Business Development Consultant| VITO
Valorization of by-products into bio-inspired sustainable materials
Manon Guivier
Postdoctoral researcher | Adolphe Merkle Institute
Closing the loop of potato starch valorisation: starch from wastewater and rejected potato pieces for its use as thermoplastic starch in potato seed cultivation
Laura Villacian
R&D Project Manager | Tecnopackaging
Rethinking Sludge End-of-Life: From Waste to Valuable Bio-Resources
Alisar Kiwan
R&D Manager | B-Plas sbrl
Valorising Industrial Side Streams into Mycelium-based Materials: Innovative Biotechnological and Design Approaches
Marc Rüger
Scientist | Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
Upcycling food residues to sustainable fatty acids: how open mixed culture fermentation can turn chemistry circular
Maurice Oltheten
Head of R&D | ChainCraft
Better by Nature: Upcycling organic waste into plastic-free industrial performance materials
Beat Karrer
Founder & CEO | FLUIDSOLIDS® Biocomposites
Sponsor
STARTUP WORKSHOP - 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
This workshop provides B2B tech start-ups with a clear, repeatable framework to approach, engage, and sell to corporates with credibility and impact. Based on proven Sandler sales principles, the session challenges conventional selling assumptions and refocuses founders on buyer alignment, decision-making dynamics, and balanced risk in sales conversations. The objective is to shorten sales cycles, avoid poorly qualified opportunities, and build durable corporate relationships. Participants gain practical sales tactics, stronger execution discipline, and the mindset shift required to sell effectively within complex corporate environments.
Delivered in partnership with Bertrand Klaiber from Tech4regen | EPFL, the workshop is led by Bill Morrison, founder of Sandler Training in Switzerland.
Workshop Facilitator
Bill Morrison
Managing Partner | Sandler Training
Lorem Ipsum
Lorem Ipsum | Lorem Ipsum
Sponsor
B2B MEETINGS
9:00 AM
COFFEE BREAK - 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Sponsored by
KEYNOTE SESSION 3 - 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
11:00 AM -
1:00 PM
A new food revolution is underway—one powered not by fields and animals, but by microbes, molecules, and carbon. Advances in precision fermentation, microbial engineering, and molecular farming are redefining how proteins, fats, and nutrients are made. At the same time, the integration of C1/C2 renewable feedstocks—including CO₂, H₂, and biogenic acids or alcohols—opens the way for carbon-efficient, circular, and scalable food production.
This Plenary Session will spotlight the latest technological breakthroughs driving this transition—from gas fermentation and microbial foods to engineered plants producing functional peptides and nutraceuticals. It will explore how these innovations can deliver safe, affordable, and resource-efficient alternatives to conventional food systems—bringing production closer to the concept of “food from air”.
While innovation leads the way, the discussion will also acknowledge the industrialisation challenges ahead: scaling, infrastructure, investment, and the regulatory environment—particularly the Novel Food approval process, which remains a key bottleneck for European deployment.
*All keynote speakers will participate in the roundtable at the end of the presentations.
Chairman
Luuk Van Der Wielen
Director | BRIGHT at DTU
Keynote Speaker
Morten Sommer
Scientific Director | BRIGHT at DTU
Keynote Speaker
Randi Wahlsten
CEO | MATR Food
Keynote Speaker
Benoît Goldschmidt
Open Innovation Director | BEL Group
Keynote Speaker
Thomas Bomhoff
VP Sustainability & External Engagement | Novonesis
Keynote Speaker
Leandro Buchmann
Head of Bioprocessing | Bühler
Keynote Speaker
Ian Marison
Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer | Planetary
ROUND TABLE
Benoît Goldschmidt
Open Innovation Director | BEL Group
Leandro Buchmann
Head of Bioprocessing | Bühler
Thomas Bomhoff
VP Sustainability & External Engagement | Novonesis
Ian Marison
Co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer | Planetary
Sponsor
LUNCH BREAK - 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Sponsored by
SITE VISIT 1 - 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
1:30 PM -
5:30 PM
As we move towards a sustainable future, we present the innovative drive systems that we are working on in detail. Let our diverse portfolio of future-oriented drive technologies inspire you. In the near future, new products will be launched that are powered by hydrogen and fuel cells as energy converters. The first hydrogen-powered Liebherr R9XX H2 crawler excavator was already presented at Bauma 2022 and won the Innovation Award. During the visit you will experience the LMB state-of-the-art test benches as well as the partnership between companies to promote hydrogen infrastructure.
Sponsor
SITE VISIT 2 - 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
1:30 PM -
5:30 PM
This visit offers an in-depth immersion into the Fribourg innovation ecosystem. It begins at the Bluefactory site, an innovation hub located in the heart of Fribourg that brings together start-ups, research institutes and support organisations. Participants will discover either the applied research institute specialising in plastics and polymers, or the Biofactory Competence Center, dedicated to applied biotechnologies.
The visit will then continue on the ChemTech, which provides pre-industrialisation infrastructures dedicated to green chemistry. This environment supports the early scale-up phases of innovative projects such as Bloom and Seprify, whose experiences will be presented. At the end of this stage (around 4:30 pm), participants with travel constraints will be able to reach Fribourg railway station easily by bus.
The visit will conclude at the Marly Innovation Center, a major innovation site developing a hub focused in particular on green chemistry. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover the iPrint, an international centre of excellence in printing technologies, illustrated through a project involving the printing of bio-sourced materials.
The return is scheduled via Fribourg railway station, followed by Forum Fribourg, with final arrival around 6:00 pm.
For more details:
1. Bluefactory – Fribourg
• Presentation of iRap (Institute for Applied Plastics Research) & Swiss Polymer Cluster
• Presentation of the BCC (Biofactory Competence Center)
• Visit of iRap (Bloom Biorenewables project) or the BCC
2. ChemTech – Fribourg
• Presentation of ChemTech
• Presentation of the Bloom Biorenewables project
• Presentation of the Seprify project
• ChemTech site visit
3. Marly Innovation Center (MIC) – Marly
• Presentation of the MIC site – 5 min
• Presentation of iPrint and the bio-based materials printing project
• Visit of iPrint
Alternative proteins: novel sources, processes and applications – how to mix and match
Christine Rasche
Head of Business Area Sustainable Chemistry | Fraunhofer IGB
TEKINBIO: a versatile solution for constantly evolving technologies
Astrid Soulies
R&D Fermentation Engineer | Boccard
Sponsor
SITE VISIT 3 - 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
1:30 PM -
5:30 PM
As part of Bioket.tech 2026, participants are invited to discover AgriCo, the Swiss campus dedicated to agri-food, biomass, and biotechnological innovation.
This visit offers a unique opportunity to explore how biotech-driven solutions — such as efficient production-site, precision agriculture, insect-based systems, and algae cultivation — are being developed, tested, and scaled on the site.
AgriCo represents a living ecosystem for circular bio-innovation, where industrial players, research institutions, and start-ups collaborate to transform biological resources into high-value products for food, materials, and energy applications.
Location: AgriCo – Swiss Campus for Agri and Food Innovation, St-Aubin (FR)
PRELIMINARY ROGRAM
(timings and order may vary depending on company confirmations and physical layout of the site)
13:30 – 14:15 Departure from Fribourg and transport to AgriCo
Introduction to the AgriCo site and its mission during transport.
14:15 – 14:40 Welcome, networking & “Vision 2030” immersion
Presentation of AgriCo’s long-term vision, infrastructure, and ecosystem.
Display of the site model (maquette) and coffee networking.
14:40 – 15:10 Micarna – Biomass Valorisation and Industrial Transformation not confirmed yet
Presentation of the biomass valorisation initiatives led by Fribourg’s largest meat processor.
Focus: integration of biotechnological and digital tools to optimise resource recovery, side-stream utilisation, and sustainable protein development
15 :20 – 15 :50 MySpiruline – Microalgae as a Biotech Ingredient confirmed
• Introduction to spirulina production and bioreactor technologies.
• Discussion on how microalgae contribute to biomanufacturing, nutrition, and circular bio-processes.
Option 2 (TBC): visit of SQTS (max 6 person) not confirmed yet
16 :00-16 :30 Option 1: Viridys not confirmed yet
• Transform plastic in energy
Option 2 (TBC): visit of SQTS (max 6 person) not confirmed yet
16 :30 – 17 :00 Amarella & Apiphen Innovation – Tasting and Networking both confirmed
• Visit of Amarella and Api-based production
• Back to main building, degustation and networking
17 :00 Bus to go back to Fribourg
Chairman
Olivier Galy
CTO/COO | TWB
Alternative proteins: novel sources, processes and applications – how to mix and match
Christine Rasche
Head of Business Area Sustainable Chemistry | Fraunhofer IGB
TEKINBIO: a versatile solution for constantly evolving technologies
Astrid Soulies
R&D Fermentation Engineer | Boccard
Sponsor
Site Visit 4 - 1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
1:30 - 5:30
Biotechnology and the bioeconomy are changing industrial ecosystems within a global race to establish resilient supply chains and competitive positions. BIOKET arrives at the heart of the Europe with the technologies that drive progress and the companies that deliver outcomes. The opening plenary will address EU ambition, industrial strategy and the framework needed for Europe to play its full role on the world stage and shape a competitive and resilient future
Chairwoman
Claire Skentelbery
CEO | EuropaBio
Keynote Speaker
Maive Rute
Deputy Director-General at DG GROW | European Commission
Keynote Speaker
Johan Weimann
Regional President Europe, SVP Food & Beverage Biosolutions Europe | Novonesis
Round Table
Enabler
David Guerrand
Biotechnology Business Director | Lallemand
Shifter
Christophe Durand
V.P. Sustainable Material Solutions & Partnerships | Michelin
Brand Owner
Philippe Teissier
R&I Ferment and Fermentation Director | Danone Nutricia Research
Pioneer
Frédéric Van Gansberghe
CEO | Futerro
Supporter
Nicoló Giacomuzzi-Moore
Executive Director | CBE-JU
Keynote Speaker
Olivier Rolland
Global Director Strategic Initiatives - R&I L'Oréal for the Future & Green Sciences | L'Oréal
Advanced Biotech for Sustainability (AB4S) Report from McKinsey
Presentation of the Advanced Biotech for Sustainability Report from EIT Food, Good Food Institute, L’Oréal, Evonik, DSM, Firmenich, Arsenale, Invert, Lallemand, Darwin International, Basecamp Research, Cradle and McKinsey.
AB4S Report presentantion & Chairman
Mark Patel
Senior Partner | McKinsey & Company
Panel discussions with AB4S consortium members
Richard Zaltzman
CEO | EIT Food
Luba Protopopova
Chief Operating Officer | Cradle
Massimo Portincaso
CEO & Co-Founder | Arsenale Bioyards
Ute Schick
SVP Business Line Head Care Solutions | Evonik Operations GmbH
Sponsor
Exhibit & Sponsorship
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17 - 19 MARCH, 2026
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They Say
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Venue & Accommodation
The 7th edition of BIOKET will take place at Forum Fribourg, a modern event and exhibition center located at Route du Lac 12, 1763 Granges-Paccot, Fribourg, Switzerland.
March 17 to 19, 2026
Fribourg, Switzerland 
Find all the details about the event venue and our partner hotels.
Join us at the forefront of bioeconomy innovation
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