From Competition to Collaboration on the Pathway to Net Zero Chemicals
At the Sustainable Chemicals Conference & Expo in Cologne, industry leaders came together to discuss the crucial role of collaboration in achieving a net zero and circular future for the chemical sector.
Moderated by Charlie Tan, CEO of the Global Impact Coalition, the panel featured insights from:
Matthias Scheibitz, Head of Sustainability Strategy at BASF Performance Materials
Erik Licht, Director of New Business Development APS EU at LyondellBasell
Peter Schwarz, Head of Sustainability Technologies EP at Covestro
Key takeaways:
🔹 The green transformation isn’t free – From green hydrogen to developing electrically heated steam cracking furnaces and chemical recycling technologies, substantial investment and competitive energy prices are essential to reducing emissions.
🔹 Collaboration is the cornerstone – “Companies trying to ‘close the loop’ alone will not scale. We need peers on every step of the value chain to work together to create sufficient sustainable material flows that enable competitive solutions,” said Matthias Scheibitz.
🔹 Action is key – The Global Impact Coalition is turning ideas into tangible actions, accelerating projects that integrate value chains, develop circular business models, and scale innovations.
One standout example is the Automotive Plastics Circularity Project, which aims to recover and reuse the 200 kilograms of plastic found in an average car. This initiative exemplifies how bringing together stakeholders—from waste collectors to automotive manufacturers—can create sustainable feedstocks while reducing environmental impact.
As Erik Licht reminded us: “To go far, we need to go together. Partnerships are not just beneficial—they’re essential.”
Collaboration, innovation, and action will define the path forward. Together, we can redefine what’s possible for a sustainable future.
