Expert Forum: Green & Circular Metals
Accelerating Europe’s Transition Towards a Circular and Competitive Metals Economy
The EU Circular Economy Act is expected this fall — and this forum is timed for it. The Green & Circular Metals Strategic Impact Group Network (SIGN) Expert Forum brings together leading voices from industry, policymaking, research, investment and education to explore how Europe can accelerate the transition towards a circular, low-carbon and resilient metals value chain.
About the Forum
Hosted by EIT RawMaterials, the forum will serve as a collaborative platform to identify solutions, share best practices and drive action across three critical priorities shaping the future of the metals sector:
developing the talent and capabilities needed for the circular metals economy
scaling breakthrough technologies and industrial solutions
enabling a supportive policy framework for circularity and competitiveness
The discussions will span the metals value chain, from primary production and processing to by-product valorisation, recycling and end-of-life material recovery.
Why Attend?
The Green & Circular Metals SIGN Expert Forum offers a unique opportunity for industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, investors and innovators to collaborate on the solutions needed to make circular metals a reality.
into emerging EU policy developments, market trends and industrial challenges shaping the future of metals.
across industry, academia, research organisations, investors, start-ups and the next generation of talent.
through interactive working groups, Open Innovation Challenge student sprint pitches and collaborative voting sessions.
through dedicated workshops designed to encourage open dialogue and peer-to-peer learning.
through an optional site visit to Tata Steel facilities.
new partnerships, a working group to continue with, and a direct line to the peers solving the same problems you are.
Format
The programme will combine two half-days of strategic dialogue, collaborative working sessions, innovation showcases, student engagement activities and networking opportunities, followed by an optional industrial site tour.
The forum is designed to move beyond discussion — creating tangible pathways for collaboration, innovation and investment to accelerate Europe’s circular metals ambitions.
Who Should Attend?
The event is open to:
- EIT RawMaterials partners
- Metals and recycling industry leaders
- Policymakers and public authorities
- Investors and financial institutions
- Universities and research organisations
- Technology providers and start-ups
- Students and emerging talent
Participation fees apply for non-partner organisations. Members of Green & Circular Metals SIGN Working Groups benefit from a 50% discount on the registration fee.
Agenda
Tuesday 29 September | |
| 11:30 - 13:00 | Registration and Networking Lunch |
| 13:10 - 13:30 | CEO Fireside Chat: This strategic-high level address will explore the critical role of steel and energy in Europe’s circular transition, setting out a vision for a competitive, resilient and globally leading industrial future. Bernd Schäfer, CEO, Managing Director, EIT RawMaterials Hans van den Berg, CEO, Tata Steel Netherlands |
| 13:30 - 13:50 | State of Circular Metals in Europe: The Industrial Reality This scene-setting session will assess Europe’s metals circularity, highlighting where the gap between policy ambition and industrial implementation falls short as well as evidence of the opportunities seen shaping the transition. Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman, Circular Valley Foundation Inge Neven, CEO, VITO |
| 13:50 - 14:05 | Policy Keynote Address: Europe’s Circular Economy Act On the eve of the Circular Economy Act, this session will showcase how smart policy can turn circularity into industrial action. Spotlighting Europe’s most impactful circularity assets, it will highlight the fundamental needs to scale at speed for a truly Europe-wide circular economy. Aurel Ciobanu-Dordea, Director DG Environment |
| 14:05 - 14:50 | Metals & Recycling Leaders put Circular Economy Act Under the Microscope Sabina Grund, Associate Director Sustainable Development, International Zinc Association |
| 14:50 - 15:10 | EoL and By-Products Valorisation - Success and Key Learnings Industry leaders will share successful approaches, technologies, insights from EU Strategic project and lessons learned in transforming underutilised material streams into valuable resources. Marco Bersani, CEO, Circular Materials Verena von Weiss, General Manager Lünen Site, Aurubis Bart Verrecht, Senior Program Manager - Battery Recycling Corporate Research & Development, Umicore |
| 15:10 - 15:30 | Pathway to reduce CO2 Footprint The session will explore key pathways to reduce CO₂ emissions and improve sustainability in the metals and recycling sector Angelika El-Noshokaty, Director General, Aluminium Deutschland Philipp Barth, Senior Manager for Decarbonization Program, Outokumpu |
| 15:30 - 15:50 | Perspectives on the strategic skills needed and workforce challenges Ivano Menso, R&D Director, Minerali Industriali |
| 15:50 - 16:20 | Coffee Break |
| 16:30 - 17:30 | Open Innovation Challenge for Talent: SIGNs Sprint Six multidisciplinary student teams will pitch innovative solutions to real-world challenges in decarbonisation, resource efficiency and circular metals. |
| 17:30 - 17:45 | Audience Voting |
| 17:45 - 18:00 | Wrap Up, Announce OICT Sprint Winner, Concluding Remarks |
| 18:00 - 19:00 | Networking Drinks and Meet the 30 OICT sprint students |
| 19:00 - 21:00 | Networking Dinner |
Wednesday 30 September | |
| 08:30 - 08:45 | Introduction |
| 08:45 - 09:15 | World Cafe, Part I
|
| 09:15 - 09:30 | Short Break |
| 09:30 - 10:00 | World Cafe, Part 2
|
| 10:00 - 10:15 | Short Break |
| 10:15 - 10:45 | World Cafe, Part 3
|
| 11:15 - 11:30 | Wrap Up and Concluding Remarks |
| 11:30 - 13:00 | Lunch |
| Optional Tata Steel IJmuiden Tour | |
| 12:30 - 13:00 | Transfer to Tata Steel IJmuiden Plant |
| 13:15 - 15:15 | Tata Steel IJmuiden Plant Tour |
| 15:15 - 16:00 | Transfer to Venue |
Agenda may be subject to change.
Hotels
Stay at our event venue, the Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, where we've secured a negotiated rate for attendees. Enjoy the convenience of staying on-site for the Expert Forum: Green & Circular Metals SIGN Launch conference, with easy access to all sessions and networking opportunities.
Registration
Connect with industry leaders, gain first-hand insight into Europe's circular metals future, and be part of the conversation driving real change.
