nova-Institut GmbH
Unlocking the full potential of renewable carbon from biomass, CCU and recycling with AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) has long been more than just a technological trend: AI is a transformative force that is accelerating the transition from fossil fuels to renewable carbon sources in the chemical and materials industries. This is one of the biggest industrial challenges since the beginning of industrialization and requires the most advanced digital solutions. AI is the key to this transformation.
nova-Institute proudly presents its new highlight event bringing together the best innovators, researchers and practitioners of this fundamental digital transformation of our society: the “AI Circular Economy Conference”, taking place on March 4 and 5, 2026 in Cologne and online. Join this groundbreaking conference and learn how advanced AI tools and applications are shaping the future of the circular economy and sustainable materials by unlocking the full potential of renewable carbon from biomass, carbon capture and utilization (CCU) and recycling:
- High-tech innovators deliver cutting-edge AI solutions for science and industry.
- Chemical and plastics manufacturers are using AI to act faster, more efficiently and more sustainably.
- AI is being used in the agricultural and biomass sectors to tap into new sources of raw materials and close material cycles.
- Presentation of state-of-the-art AI applications, including AI-supported modeling of CCU processes and catalysts, optimization of CO₂ capture and development of novel chemical processes such as electrochemistry.
- Use of AI for process control and optimization in depolymerization, advanced sorting of waste streams, analysis of raw materials and quality assurance of recycled materials.
This interdisciplinary event brings together leading experts from the fields of AI development, chemical and plastics manufacturing, biotechnology, agriculture, recycling and sustainability to present the latest developments. Whether you are a data scientist working on new industrial applications, a materials expert looking for practical tools or a member of management and part of the investment community looking for strategic and financial opportunities, this conference will provide you with actionable insights, valuable use cases and opportunities for collaboration. The AI Circular Economy Conference will bring together all relevant stakeholders to discuss the need for AI solutions in a circular economy in the chemical and materials sector and match them with technical solutions from scientists and developers.
Conference topics
We invite you to submit your abstracts for presentations at the “AI Circular Economy Conference”. With these, you can contribute to advancing AI in circular and sustainable material systems. Topics include, but are not limited to, the following areas:
- Bio-based materials
AI-driven design of bio-based and biodegradable polymers (digital twins)
Machine learning for the optimization of enzymes and proteins
Precision agriculture and intelligent biomass cultivation - CO₂-based solutions (carbon capture and utilization).
AI-supported modelling of CCU processes and catalysts
AI to optimize CO₂ capture
AI design for new chemical processes including electrochemistry - Advanced recycling
AI for process control and optimization in depolymerization
Sorting of waste streams and analysis of raw materials
Quality assurance of recycled materials - Cross-cutting and interdisciplinary topics
Supply chain prediction and risk analysis
AI for sustainability assessments and policy modeling
Infrastructure, data integration and digital readiness
Chemical and plastics manufacturers use AI to innovate faster, more efficiently and more sustainably
High-tech innovators deliver breakthrough AI solutions for science and industry.
Prediction and life-cycle assessment
Submit your abstract now and present your innovations at the forefront of AI-driven solutions for a circular and sustainable chemical and materials industry. The deadline for submissions is October 26, 2025, but later submissions are possible and may still be accepted if the focus and quality of the abstract is special.
https://ai-circulareconomy.eu/call-for-abstracts/
Read the entire press release now: