International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries
The 22nd edition of the International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries will take place in Leuven, Belgium from Monday 1 June until Wednesday 3 June 2026, organised by Ghent University and KU Leuven, Department of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Microbial and Molecular Systems. Based on the previous RRB conferences, this conference is expected to welcome about 300 international participants from over 30 countries.
Delegates from university, industry, governmental an non-governmental organizations and venture capital providers will present their views on industrial biotechnology, sustainable (green) chemistry and agricultural policy related to the use of renewable raw materials for non-food applications and energy supply.
The overall theme of this Leuven edition is "Innovating Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow", reflecting the conference's focus on forward-looking solutions that combine innovation with long-term sustainability. The conference aims at providing an overview of the scientific, technical, economic, environmental and social issues of renewable resources and biorefineries in order to give an impetus to the biobased economy and to present new developments in this area.
The conference will provide a forum for leading political, corporate, academic and financial people to discuss recent developments and set up collaborations. This three day international conference will consist of plenary lectures, oral presentations, poster sessions and an exhibition. Companies and research organizations are offered the opportunity to organize a satellite symposium.
Topics
- Biobased chemicals and biodegradable materials
- Biocatalysis and novel fermentation processes
- Bioenergy & thermochemical transformations
- Biorefining
- Carbon capture and utilization
- Catalysis for renewables and kinetics
- Environmental biotechnology
- Marine bioeconomy
- Polysaccharides
- Pretreatment and transformation of lignocellulosics
- Seaweed: cultivation, processing and valorization
- Sludge: handling, processing and valorization
- Sustainability and circular economy
- Valorization of food residues
- Wood chemistry and engineering
Programme overview
Monday, 1 June 2026
09.00 - 10.00 Start registration
10.00 - 12.00 Official Opening of RRB 2026
Opening Plenary Session with keynote lectures
Mário T. Murakami, Brazilian Biorenewables National Laboratory (LNBR) and National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM)
Title: Connecting fundamental discoveries from microbial carbohydrate metabolism to biotechnological platforms for advanced biorefineries
Adrian Leip, EU Commission’s Head of the Bioeconomy Sector in DG RTD & Thomas Alexander, EU’s Bioeconomy Youth Ambassador
Title: Bioeconomic Futures: Enabling Tomorrow Today
12.00 - 13.00 Lunch and exhibition
13.00 - 14.30 Parallel sessions
14.30 - 15.45 Coffee Break and Poster Tour 1
15.45 - 17.15 Parallel sessions
17.30 - 20.00 City walk and Welcome Reception at the Jubileum Hall, Universiteitshal, Naamsestraat 22, Leuven
Tuesday, 2 June 2026
09.00 - 9.30 Plenary talk
09.40 - 10.50 Parallel sessions
10.50 - 11.20 Coffee Break
11.20 - 12.50 Parallel sessions
12.50 - 14.15 Lunch and Poster Tour 2
14.15 - 14.45 Coffee Break
14.45 - 16.15 Parallel sessions
16.15 - 18.45 Biobased Market
19.30 Conference Dinner at 'De Hoorn', Sluisstraat 79, Leuven
Wednesday, 3 June 2026
09.00 - 10.30 Parallel sessions
10.30 - 11.00 Coffee Break
11.00 - 12.30 Parallel sessions
12.30 - 13.00 RRB 2026 Closing Session
13.00 - 14.00 Farewell Lunch
14.15 - 17.00 Optional Tour: to be determined