The conference sessions, running parallel to the 1-2-1 meetings program, underpins the event’s core mission of scaling industrial biomanufacturing in the region.
A carefully curated program of company presentations, guest speakers and panels will deliver actionable insights and solutions to critical industry challenges – sparking transformative 1-2-1 commercial discussions.
TUES 3 MARCH
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and Alfa Laval will be organising a pre-event tour on 3 Mar 2026 from 8.45am to 4pm
08:00
Welcome coffee & registration
09:00
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Paul MacDonald, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Bio Innovations APAC
09:10
OPENING KEYNOTE ADDRESS
A Status of the Global Bioeconomy - Tracking Developments, Shaping the Future
This opening keynote introduces the World Bioeconomy Association and frames the bioeconomy as a global concept shaped by current geopolitical and market trends. It provides a concise overview of the global bioeconomy landscape, including the G20 High-Level Principles and evolving financing mechanisms. The session then applies this framework to Asia-Pacific, examining industrial biomanufacturing momentum, strategies and gaps, and concludes with key takeaways on what is needed to accelerate scale-up and strengthen global market readiness.
Jukka Kantola, Chair, World Bioeconomy Association
09:35
Fireside chat
How Kimberly-Clark are Using Biobased Innovations to Defossilize and Future-Proof Their Business
In this session, one of the world’s biggest consumer products companies goes under the spotlight. Paul MacDonald of World Bio Markets will interview Bryan Haynes of Kimberly-Clark to better understand how the KC brands are exploring, developing and integrating bio-based innovations within their product portfolio. The complex transition from petrochemical feedstock to bio, value chain harmony, consumer sentiment, the fight against microplastics and what it takes to get the attention of a multinational will all be discussed.
Hosted by:
Paul MacDonald, Co-Founder & Managing Director, World Bio Markets
Bryan Haynes, Technical Director Global Nonwovens, Kimberly-Clark
10:00
Next-Gen Aromatics: Furan as a Bio-Based Platform
Leaf Bio positions Furan chemistry as the foundation of next-generation bio-based aromatics, establishing the industrial and market framework for this emerging materials class.
Aromatic materials form the backbone of the global petrochemical system and its carbon footprint. With sustained commitment over two decades, Leaf Bio has built the industrial base that enables furan-based aromatics at a meaningful scale.
As the primary global supplier of PEF and FDCA, Leaf Bio works with partners worldwide to enable furan-based materials across packaging, textiles, and functional chemical applications, accelerating the transition of aromatic materials from fossil-derived to bio-based systems.
Jerry Luo, Co-Founder & CMO, Leaf Bio
10:15
From Partnership to Innovation: Process Equipment for the Bio-Based Industries of the Future
Following decades of experience in the field, Alfa Laval has developed a unique position as market leader within separation and heat transfer for biobased processes. We understand that each process has individual requirements to scale and realize stable and efficient operation. In this conference, we will present how collaborative efforts (partnerships!) can de-risk and expedite the development of innovative bio-based processes. Additionally, we will share the latest product developments and introduce our activities in the South-East Asia region.
Helge Holm-Larsen, Head of Renewable Fuels, Chemicals & Plastics, Alfa Laval
10:30
Panel discussion
APAC's Legislative Landscape: What Current and Future Policies Mean for Commercialisation and Growth
Across APAC, governments are introducing regulatory frameworks to support industrial biomanufacturing, but approaches differ widely, creating both challenges and opportunities. This session brings together regional industry associations to explore how these policies influence commercialisation, investment, and scaling strategies. Panellists will highlight where regulations are enabling growth, where they are slowing progress, and what practical changes are needed to build a competitive, investment-ready biomanufacturing sector across the region.
Hosted by:
Varsha Sethuraman, Senior Research Associate, Lux Research
Featuring:
Satoshi Nakagawa, Director, Business Development Department, Japan Bioindustry Association
In-Joo Chin, President and Professor Emeritus, Korean Bioplastics Association
Panit Kitsubun, Director of the Industrial Bioprocess Innovation Group (IBIG), EECi (NSTDA), Thailand
Fanny Liao, Board Director, Association of Taiwan Bio-based and Sustainable Material Industry
11:00
Networking coffee
11:45
Panel discussion
What APAC Can Learn from Mature Markets: Europe and North America’s Advanced Biomanufacturing
APAC has an abundance of biomass resources, a population of over 4 billion, and fast-growing economies, but its industrial biomanufacturing is still emerging. Panelists will share practical lessons from Europe and North America on scaling bio-based production, from securing capital and navigating regulatory landscapes to utilising abundant regional biomass.
The discussion will cover market readiness, collaboration across the value chain, and strategies to avoid common challenges faced by early stage projects, providing insights for bio developers aiming to grow APAC’s industrial biomanufacturing faster and more efficiently.
Hosted by:
Paul MacDonald, Co-Founder & Managing Director, World Bio Markets
Featuring:
Geoff Nobes, Director of Business Development, RWDC Industries
Jan Weernink, Director Business Development, IFF
Norbert Baum, VP Global Business Development, HELM
Chern-Hooi Lim, Chief Executive Officer, Kemvera
12:15
Commercial Scale Biopolymers, Its PHA not Plastic
RWDC’s business purpose is rooted in our mission to eliminate persistent microplastics and improve people’s lives. We address this growing human and environmental health hazard by producing bio-based, fully biodegradable materials that replace conventional plastics and are designed to function in harmony with both human needs and natural systems. Today, RWDC is prepared to deploy commercial-scale production of PHA biopolymers, translating years of scientific innovation, process validation, and industrial scale-up into dependable, real-world manufacturing capability.
RWDC is building collaboration across the value chain—from research and engineering to converters, brands, and manufacturers—to accelerate the development of a global PHA biopolymer industry. This cooperative approach drives adoption of next-generation biomaterials and enables scalable replacement of conventional plastics across multiple product sectors.
We envision a world free from persistent microplastics in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Through innovation, disciplined execution, and purpose-driven partnerships, RWDC is commercializing PHA and expanding global supply to meaningfully replace conventional plastics and improve human and environmental health.
Ryan Adolphson, Chief Operating Officer, RWDC Industries
12:30
Singapore – Your Gateway to a Growing Asian Bioeconomy
The Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) is a government agency under the Ministry of Trade and Industry that drives strategies to position Singapore as a global hub for innovation, technology, and economic growth.
EDB’s EVP Green Economy Mr. Lim Wey-Len will discuss the growing importance of the global bioeconomy from an Asian perspective and how Singapore, with its strategic location, business and innovation-friendly policies, and established biotechnology R&D ecosystem, can be your partner for bioeconomy growth across Asia.
Lim Wey-Len, Executive Vice President Green Economy, Singapore Economic Development Board
12:45
From Seaweed to Scale: Replacing Plastic with Climate-Positive PHA
Uluu is transforming farmed seaweed into high-performance, climate-positive materials designed to replace conventional plastics. By decoupling production from fossil fuels and food systems, Uluu is building a new manufacturing pathway aligned with ocean health and global decarbonisation goals. This talk will outline Uluu’s mission, commercial products including injection moulding and textile-grade pellets, early brand adoption, and the company’s scale-up strategy to deliver cost-competitive materials for mainstream applications.
Colin Scott, Chief Scientific Officer, Uluu
13:00
Networking lunch
14:30
PANEL DISCUSSION
Accelerating Biomanufacturing Translation: The Role of Universities Beyond the Lab
This panel examines the crucial role universities play in nurturing early-stage bio-based and biomanufacturing startups as they navigate the difficult journey of pre-commercial R&D to commercial deployment. Panellists will discuss how academic institutions provide not only scientific expertise, but also access to pilot facilities, talent pipelines, translational research support, and early validation partnerships that help derisk technologies.
Hosted by:
Huiling Lee, Consortium Manager, SINERGY
Featuring:
JD Lee, Deputy Programme Director, NUS Enterprise
Won Jae Choi, Associate Professor & Deputy Cluster Director, Singapore Institute of Technology
Raymond Woo, Singapore Office Representative, Kyoto University & Kyoto University Innovation Capital (Kyoto iCAP)
15:00
From Pilot to Portfolio: Precision Fermentation at PepsiCo
Under the Pep+ agenda, PepsiCo is exploring fermentation and biomanufacturing as powerful enablers of positive nutrition, sustainable materials, and more efficient food systems. Building on in market fermented product innovation, we are expanding into ingredient, process, and platform technologies that support clean labels, functional benefits, bio based and renewable packaging, and advanced flavor solutions.
We are open to partnering across the full innovation spectrum—from early stage start ups with breakthrough science or novel fermentation approaches to more established players with scalable technologies—where ideas have the potential to deliver meaningful consumer, sustainability, and business impact.
Ekaterina Krikova, Regulatory Affairs Director for APAC and ANZ, PepsiCo
15:15
Networking refreshments
16:00
PANEL DISCUSSION
Key Success Milestones in the Scaleup Journey and How to Avoid the Valley of Death
Scaling a bio-based startup takes far more than a great idea; it requires market validation, the right partners, smart use of capital, strong leadership, and the ability to deliver results beyond the lab. In this discussion, founders will reflect on the early challenges they faced, from hiring experienced talent to investing in the right equipment and how they pushed through them. Investors will share what they actually need to see before backing a company, where startups most often struggle after raising funding, and the practical signs that a business is truly ready to grow. Together, the panel will explore the milestones required in navigating the “Valley of Death” and building resilient, scalable bio-based ventures.
Hosted by:
Paul MacDonald, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Bio Innovations APAC
Featuring:
Jacob Kohn, CEO, Futurity
Justin Tan, Senior Scientist, Mojia Biotech
Navjeewan Khosla, Partner, Novo Holdings
Shaun Seaman, Founder & CEO, Mushroom Material
Simon Neudeck, President, Time Gate Consulting
16:30
Building the Bioeconomy Backbone: How A*STAR Enables Industry Ready Biomanufacturing
As the bioeconomy rapidly accelerates across Asia Pacific, the ability to translate scientific breakthroughs into scalable, industry ready biomanufacturing solutions has never been more critical. In this session, Wong Min Hao of A*STAR SIFBI share how A*STAR is building a robust biomanufacturing backbone—powered by advanced synthetic biology, cutting edge biotechnology platforms, and strong public private partnerships.
Wong Min Hao, Deputy Executive Director, A*STAR Singapore Institute of Food and Biotechnology Innovation (SIFBI)
16:45
Engineering Colour Through Biomanufacturing
Colour is everywhere you look in our everyday products however virtually of relies on synthetic petroleum derived chemicals. This is causing 20% of global industrial water pollution, 3% greenhouse gas emissions and damages biodiversity and health. Newera Bio is creating bio-based colour that does not compromise on performance and economics.
Lucie Semenec, Co-Founder & CEO, Newera Bio