Chemelot meets aviation: connecting the chemical and aerospace industry

At the start of 2026, the “Chemelot meets aviation” event takes place on the Brightlands Chemelot Campus, on Tuesday, January 13.

The theme of the event is: connecting the chemical industry with the aviation industry. On the day of the event, companies from both industries will join us for a unique networking opportunity. Chemelot-based companies as well as visiting aerospace companies will get the chance to briefly pitch their business in the morning to get to know each other. Please note that this event will be invitation-only.

Next, we will take a deep dive into the topic of supplier certification tracks in the aviation industry, focusing on the standards that need to be met for suppliers to aerospace manufacturers.

After lunch, popular themes will be discussed in two blocks of eight different break-out sessions. The sessions will be coordinated by expert moderators, who will conclude the discussion publicly. A detailed breakdown of these sessions can be found below.

When registering for the event, please make sure to also register for the two break-out sessions you would like to attend. Registration for these sessions will be on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum of 10 participants per session and we want to encourage attendents from the same organization to spread out over the different break-out sessions.

At the end of the event, there will be an opportunity for the attendants to make lasting connections and reflect on a day full of new insights.

Sign up for the event!

Program

• 10:00 - 10:30h Reception
• 10:30 - 10:45h Introduction Chemelot
• 10:45 - 11:00h Introduction aviation
• 11:00 - 11:30h Explanation on the aviation certification process
• 11:30 - 13:00h Pitches from both sides by all attending organizations
• 13:00 - 14:00h Lunch and match
• 14:00 - 16:00h Break-out sessions
• 16:00 - 17:00h General wrap-up by the moderators
• 17:00 - 18:00h Closing presentation and networking drinks

Topics for break-out sessions

Subject 1: Willingness to pay for sustainability
Breakdown: This topic will dive into who is truly willing to pay the premium for making products sustainable and what barriers exist in both the chemical and aviation industries. Understanding these bottlenecks is essential for enabling collaboration along the value chain and scaling green technologies.

Subject 2: Competition between sustainable fuels and material feedstock
Breakdown: Here we will dive into the topic of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) and how they compete with the use of feedstock for (bio-)circular materials. Both financial competitiveness and environmental impact will be discussed to approach this topic from different perspectives.

Subject 3: End-of-life materials in the aerospace industry
Breakdown: What happens to aerospace products at the end of their lifetime? For example, how can airplane interiors be recycled? Could this recycling process be supported by chemical companies, and what impact does the use of certain materials have? These are just some of the questions that will be brought up during this discussion.

Subject 4: Closing the gaps in the value chain
Breakdown: While connected in the overall value chain, there are few direct links between the chemical and aviation industry. More often, several (smaller) parties fit in the spaces between chemical manufacturers and large aerospace companies. In this session, we will discuss how to bridge this gap and make commitments that hold along the entire value chain.

Subject 5: Scope 3 emissions: impacts and methodologies
Breakdown: Discussing the benefits and downsides for end-users when switching to sustainable feedstock. The overall impact on scope 3 emissions will be discussed using various methodologies (cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave, cradle-to-cradle).

Subject 6: Military investment trends
Breakdown: Discussing how the current rise in military aviation investments affects the demand for quality materials. How will companies capitalize on these developments, and how could it play a role in their strategies?

Subject 7: Sustainability regulations in aviation and the chemical industry
Breakdown: This topic will discuss how sustainability regulations are set up in both the chemical and aviation industry. Similarities and differences will be highlighted with examples, like clashes between sustainability goals and safety targets. These types of trade-offs highlight the need for innovation to balance environmental impact with high safety standards.

Subject 8: Performance vs sustainability in aviation
Breakdown: In this session, the impact of investing in high-performance materials will be discussed, including its direct link to emissions. Furthermore, the trade-off between the benefits of recycling and the downsides of losses in material quality will be highlighted.