SPE southern Europe Innovations in Polyolefins Conference

Call for Papers

The European polyolefins sector is navigating a period of significant transformation. Driven by evolving EU legislation, increasing environmental awareness, and shifting public perception, the industry faces urgent challenges that demand innovation across the value chain—from production and regulation to end-of-life strategies.

The SPE Southern Europe Regional Interest Group invites researchers, industry experts, and stakeholders to submit papers for presentation at the Innovations in Polyolefins Conference, taking place October 2026 (dates TBD) in Tarragona, Spain. The conference will address challenges and opportunities for polyolefins within a sustainability-focused market. The goal of the conference is to encourage interdisciplinary dialogue and highlight solutions that balance performance, safety, and circularity.

The conference will offer dynamic workshops, engaging panel discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities—all designed to encourage collaboration and build lasting relationships across the polyolefins value chain.

Submit your abstract by February 15, 2026.

Submitting Abstracts

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We welcome contributions that explore, but are not limited to, the following themes:

Innovations in Polyolefin Production Methods

• Green Chemistry for polyolefin production
• Advances in catalytic processes  
• Innovative polymerization techniques 
• Development of high-performance polyolefins

Sustainability in Polyolefins

• Life cycle assessment of polyolefin products
• Eco-design principles in polyolefins production and processing
• Strategies for waste management, i.e., closed-loop recycling of polyolefins: effective recycling and upcycling of polyolefins
• Eco-labelling and certifications for sustainable polyolefin products 

Regulatory Challenges and Strategies

• Overview of EU-legislation impacting polyolefins, promoting circular economy, responsible production, etc.
• Addressing substances of concern: insights from the reach regulation
• Compliance strategies for upcoming regulatory changes, i.e., Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste
• Regulatory framework and its impact on responsible practices
• Enhancing public awareness on recycling and upcycling

 Microplastics and Environmental Impact

• Sources and pathways of microplastics in the environment
• Mitigation techniques for microplastic pollution
• Role of polyolefins in microplastics release: risks and responses
• Assessing the impact of microplastics on ecosystems
• Toxicology and risk assessment of polyolefin additives

Alternatives to Conventional Polyolefins

• Bioplastics: PHA/PHB, PBS, PLA as sustainable alternatives
• Evaluating the role of recycled polyolefins in new applications
• Innovations in bio-based polyolefins

Future Trends in Polyolefin Applications

• Emerging applications in the automotive and construction industries
• Innovations in packaging: reducing single-use plastics
• The role of polyolefins in renewable energy solutions
• Advances in smart polyolefins for real-time environmental monitoring and sustainable applications

Advanced Characterization Techniques for Polyolefins

• Recent developments in analytical methods
• Characterization of microplastics in environment and food-contact applications
• Techniques for assessing polyolefins degradation: oxidation, chain-scission, thermomechanical degradation
• The need for using stabilizers, antioxidants, etc. for recycling and keeping suitable properties

Collaborative Industry - Research Partnerships

• Case studies highlighting successful initiatives in polyolefin circularity
• Case studies on successful industry or industry-academia collaborations
• Improving consumer awareness and attitudes toward polyolefin sustainability
• Collaborative efforts in research and industry for responsible production
• Technological innovations for responsible use of polyolefins
• Industry best practices for sustainable production and consumption