We are pleased to announce the upcoming Smart Circuit conference “RETHINKING PACKAGING: A FRESH LOOK AT THE PLASTICS SECTOR AND ADVANCED MATERIALS FOR CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS” will take place on Tuesday, 28th October 2025 at Hotel Kolovare, Zadar, Croatia, with hybrid participation available.
The conference will bring together industry stakeholders, experts and policymakers to explore the future of plastics and packaging, with a particular focus on circular economy models, sustainability and advanced materials.
The programme includes:
- updates on European policy developments (CSRD, CS3D, EU Taxonomy)
- case studies on innovations in circular plastics
- master classes on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and strategies for single-use packaging
- presentations of pilot factory activities and the launch of the Circular Innovation Academy, as project achievements
Please register individually via the Registration Form
The Travel kit with all practical information is available for your reference.
Online participation via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83549645613?pwd=p40Rl0g1fpbD6sUkhjcaWZvuIZr804.1
Conference Agenda – DRAFT
RETHINKING PACKAGING:
A FRESH LOOK ON THE PLASTICS SECTOR AND ADVANCED MATERIALS
FOR CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS
Date: Tuesday, 28th October 2025
Location: Hotel KOLOVARE, Ul. Bože Peričića 14, 23000 Zadar / HYBRID
Google Maps Location
| Conference location: Hotel Kolovare, Zadar, Croatia | ||
| 10:00-10:30 | Registration
Coffee |
|
| 10:30-11:00 | WELCOME | |
| Welcome | HGK -Županijska komora Varaždin | |
| Presentation of SMART CIRCUIT | Agnieszka Włodarczyk-Gębik, Krakow Technology Park | |
| 11:00-11:45 | Supporting policies (15 min/presentation) | |
| Understanding the OMNIBUS Package: CSRD, CS3D, EU Taxonomy- timeline and state of play (online)
|
Bravo Navarro Carlos, European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC) | |
| Draft of the National Plan for the Development of the Circular Economy of the Republic of Croatia 2026–2032 | Viktoria Bogdanović, Ministry of Economy Republic of Croatia | |
| 11:45-12:45 | From Challenge to Success: Innovative Projects in Circular Plastics and Advanced Materials
(10 min/presentation) |
|
| 1. Circular by Nature: Transforming Agro-Waste into Biodegradable Consumer Products | dr. Vesna Žepič Bogataj, TECOS | |
| 2. A possible contribution of microsystem technology to packaging (online)
|
dr. Kerstin Gläser, Hahn-Schickard-Gesellschaft für angewandte Forschung e.V. | |
| 3. Turning Beer By-Products into Biodegradable Plastics: The BeSoGreat Path to Circular Manufacturing | Chiara Callegari, COMET – Mechanical Engineering Cluster Friuli Venezia Giulia | |
| 4. Turning Plastic Waste into Designer Panels: Success through Sustainability | Ondřej Venclík, CEO, Plastic Guys | |
| 5. Centre for Waste Management – a key role in improving regional sustainability | CGO Biljani Donji, a waste management centre in the Zadar region of Croatia -TBC | |
| 12:45 – 14:15 | LUNCH (90 min) | |
| 14:15 – 15:45 | MASTER CLASSES – Closing the Loop
(30 ins./presentation) |
|
| 1. Extended Producers’ Responsibility (EPR) –
In-depth insights with practical perspectives |
Arno Dalmatinac, University Zagreb, Geotechnical Faculty Varaždin | |
| 2. Circular strategies for single-use products and packaging | Susanne Kroll, Fraunhofer IWU | |
| 15:45-16:00 | Coffee Break
|
|
| 16:00 | STRATEGY DISSEMINATION LAB (20 mins/panel)
|
|
| 16:00-16:20 | PANEL1: Green transition in factories
Moderator: Alen Draganović, TECOS |
1.Pilot Factory – Poppy: Automated Material Refill System – a life demonstration , PBN ( Hungary)
2. Ergo Design (Poland) |
| 16:20 – 16:40 | PANEL2: Circular Innovation Academy – Kick off
Moderator: Thomas Kremsner, Forschung Burgenland
|
|
| 16:40 – 17:00 | CONCLUSION & CLOSING | |
Smart Circuit team
and CCE County Chamber Varaždin
