On February 26, 2019, the 3rd European Chemistry Partnering (ECP) event will be taking place in Frankfurt, Germany.
The ECP, recently referred to as the “most productive day of the year,” is a unique environment that promotes the growth of a wide range of chemistry disciplines; including green chemistry, biotechnology, nanotechnology, engineering, and analytical chemistry.
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By bringing stakeholders, industry representatives, entrepreneurs, investors, and innovative scientists together, the ECP facilitates an open-minded dialogue that aims to improve the world.
The business-dense atmosphere of the ECP allows attendees to network and engage with numerous international companies, some of which include Clariant International, TOLSA, Fujifilm, GlaxoSmithKline, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. Furthermore, presentations provided by experts in law, patents, personal consulting and data security offer an additional opportunity for researchers and entrepreneurs to gain support from current professionals in the field.
Itinerary of the 3rd ECP
To begin the 3rd ECP, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart, the 2016 Chemistry Nobel Laureate, will provide the keynote speech. Stoddart’s exemplary role in the design and synthesis of molecular machines has been pivotal in the continued miniaturization of technology, which is a rapidly growing concept that has affected various aspects of chemistry research.
For example, analytical chemistry systems, such as capillary gas chromatography, micro-liquid chromatography, and microcapillary electrophoresis, have allowed for researchers to reduce sample volume requirements, as well as improve the performance and reliability of these methods. This topic will be further explored at the 3rd ECP by numerous companies that are expected to present their advancements in developing new nanomaterials.
The 2018 Nobel Prize was awarded to American scientist Frances H. Arnold for her work in developing methods capable of designing evolutionary enzymes. By mimicking natural selection, Arnold’s studies have investigated the relationship that exists between the genetic sequences and function of these enzymes to select mutations that exhibit desired protein properties. Since her research supports the generation of new and useful enzymes and organisms, the 3rd ECP will also provide an opportunity for companies to present their findings on current advancements in the development of catalysts and enzymes.
Exploring Interdisciplinary Chemistry
The centrality of chemistry provides crucial links with a wide range of disciplines, many of which are not always initially expected. For example, the interdisciplinary ties of chemistry can be demonstrated by its association with most basic and applied sciences, as well as its foundational role in various other scientific areas including metallurgy, ceramics, and materials science. To further explore the interdisciplinarity of chemistry, the 3rd ECP will examine the current position of chemistry in digitization, water, wood, energy, polymers and additive manufacturing (3D printing).
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The Importance of Sustainability
This stress on strengthening the interdisciplinarity of chemistry approaches also supports sustainability efforts in science, which is a significant goal of the 3rd ECP. Atmospheric chemistry research, for example, has often required a broad set of approaches including spectroscopy, gas phase chemistry, analysis of aerosol particles, field measurements of gases and particles and computational methods to understand the most critical aspects of climate change and air pollution.
A Platform for Creative Pitches
Attendees of the 3rd ECP have the opportunity to increase their visibility by presenting a short pitch to an audience of decision-makers and industry experts. Through this platform, researchers and creative product designers can gain the attention of new business partners, while also learning ways in which they can improve their products from some of the leading professionals in this industry. The Pitch categories for the 3rd ECP include:
- Analytics
- Fine and Special Chemicals
- Technology and Hardware
- Catalysts and Enzymes
- New Materials and Nanomaterials
- Serves and Research & Development
- Digitization
- Chemistry and Water
- Chemistry and Wood
- Chemistry and Energy
- Polymers and Applications
- 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing
Networking
The ECP Partnering Tool, which is made available to attendees about four months before the event, allows chemistry professionals to communicate with anyone registered for the 3rd ECP directly. Through this platform, attendees can efficiently schedule meetings that will expedite potential relationships with new customers, partners, and investors. Furthermore, the Partnering system also allows professionals attending the event to reconnect with people they have already met.
The Partnering Tool also displays the profile information of any other company or professional within the system, thereby allowing users to improve their marketing strategies by learning about how other chemistry industries and professionals represent themselves. The 3rd ECP even incorporates scheduled time for Partnering in the event’s itinerary to ensure attendees that they will have time to network.
Closing with New Plastics Economy
The closing of the 3rd ECP will involve a panel discussion titled “New Plastics Economy.” To begin this dialogue, Friedrich Barth, who is currently the managing director of the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3), which is a company that is dedicated to transforming the chemical industry into a more sustainable and circular field, will present.
Following Barth will be Daniella Russo of Think Beyond Plastic, Inc., which is a sustainable company that fuels the innovative design of biologically-safe alternatives to plastics derived from fossil-fuel sources. With plastics posing the biggest threat to marine pollution, the presentations by Barth and Russo will surely provide a distinctive insight into how innovations within chemistry can support this significant global dilemma.
References
- “3rd European Chemisty Partnering” – European Chemistry Partnering
- “Methods in Protein Engineering” – Frances H. Arnold Group
- “About ISC3” – ISC3
- “Think Beyond Plastic” – Think Beyond Plastic Innovation Hub
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