The Bio Innovations Midwest 2025 conference agenda, running parallel to the 1-2-1 meetings program, was designed to drive the event’s core mission of driving the commercialization of US industrial biomanufacturing.
Carefully curated panels and keynotes sparked transformative 1-2-1 commercial discussions. Hand-picked speakers delivered actionable insights and solutions to critical industry challenges, helping unlock the immense potential of America’s bioeconomy.
08:00
Networking coffee & registration
09:00
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Leo Stemp, Head of Content, Bio Innovations Midwest
09:05
Opening Keynote fireside chat
Building an industry not a company and why Mama’s run the world
This two-part session explores why building an industry is more important than building a company and the fight against microplastics.
Ryan Adolphson, Chief Operating Officer of RWDC, will tell the story of the company. From its roots in the University of Georgia, to a two person startup in 2017, to 100 people in 2025 and the construction of two plants due to begin in 2026. Aspirational Bio Developers & Producers can map the RWDC highs and lows, wins and failures so they themselves can accelerate their own route to commercialization.
In the second part, Ryan will be joined on stage by Bryan Haynes, Technical Director Global Nonwovens of Kimberly-Clark. The two of them will be interviewed by the Co-Founder of Bio Innovations Midwest, Paul MacDonald, where they discuss their partnership, the role of bio in the fight against microplastics, consumer needs and the mindset to build an industry.
Hosted by:
Paul MacDonald, Co-founder & MD, Bio Innovations Midwest
Featuring:
Ryan Adolphson, Chief Operating Officer, RWDC Industries
Bryan Haynes, Technical Director Global Nonwovens, Kimberly-Clark
09:30
PANEL DISCUSSION
The future of U.S. biofuels: Navigating policy, market, technological and cost challenges to secure opportunities in the gas tank and beyond
The US biofuels industry has a key role in driving US energy dominance and boosting rural prosperity. But, policy changes, market challenges and cost pressures require careful navigation to unlock investment and drive long term growth and resilience.
From streamlined processes, upgraded technologies, and feedstock strategies, to opportunities in value-add products, learn how biofuel producers can scale and innovate for sustainable growth. Explore what the latest Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs), Small Refiner Exemptions (SREs), tariffs, and tax incentives mean for industry in 2025 and beyond.
Hosted by:
Reid Wagner, Technical Director of Market Development, Growth Energy
Featuring:
Senator George Dungan, State Senator, Nebraska Legislature
Jacki Fee, Renewable Fuels Regulatory Advisor, Cargill
Dawn Caldwell, Executive Director, Renewable Fuels Nebraska
10:00
Enabling low-carbon bio-PET: Sustainea’s one-step glycol innovation
Listen in as Sustainea shares how they’re helping turn corn into innovative solutions for everyday life, from packaging to textiles and apparel. Using an advanced one-step process, their plant-based, low-carbon glycols are drop-in solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing processing and recycling value chains, while matching the quality and functionality of traditional fossil-based counterparts. Discover how this technology helps reduce carbon emissions and supports companies in reaching their sustainability goals.
Matthew Berdy, Global Commercial Director, Sustainea
10:15
PANEL DISCUSSION
Incubating the future of U.S. biomanufacturing: Key building blocks for scaling innovation from startup through to commercial success
University incubators, biomanufacturing accelerators, pilot infrastructure providers and venture funders share ideas for successfully scaling from innovation to commercial success. What can these partners offer in terms of lab and pilot infrastructure, mentorship, and funding to de-risk early-stage innovations and steer them through the technical challenges, regulatory delays, and funding bottlenecks along the scale-up journey.
Hosted by:
Sarah McInerney, Program Director, Innovation, Biomimicry Institute
Featuring:
Dr Chern-Hooi Lim, Founder and CEO, New Iridium
Brian Jacobson, Program Manager – Infrastructure, iFAB Tech Hub
Geoff Horst, Chief Innovation Officer, Ecovia Bio
10:45
Networking coffee
11:30
PANEL DISCUSSION
Bio innovations in B2C and B2B: Helping companies reap the benefits of bio-renewable materials
Practical applications of bio-renewable ingredients and materials in footwear, cosmetics and cleaning products. Discover what bio-renewable means for performance, supply chain security and meeting customer needs.
Hosted by:
Marjorie L. Morris, Zemea® Global Marketing Director, Primient Covation
Featuring:
Mike Davies, Technical Fellow, Essential Ingredients
Andy Jackson, Managing Director, ALWELLCO
Sean Gahan, Global Technical Service Manager, Primient Covation
12:00
PANEL DISCUSSION
Advancing sustainable construction: The future of bio-based building materials
This panel explores the transformative potential of bio-based alternatives to reduce the carbon intensity of materials, coatings and chemicals used in the construction industry. Experts will discuss the technical and market challenges of scaling bio-based innovations, as well as the regulatory hurdles and challenges around material standardization that need to be overcome if bio-based is to become the new normal in construction.
Hosted by:
John Dineen, Director of Planning Education and Science, HDR
Featuring:
William J. DeRoin, Design Principal, HDR
Dr George Berghorn, Assistant Professor of Construction Management, Michigan State University
Meg Bruce, Chief Commercial Officer, ekoa by Lingrove
Massimo Gatelli, Head of Material Science, Impact Acoustic
12:30
PANEL DISCUSSION
Partnering with Europe to accelerate U.S. biomanufacturing
U.S. industrial biomanufacturing companies can accelerate growth by partnering with European firms, leveraging Europe’s robust R&I, stable policies, financial incentives, and open-access pilot plants for scaling. Such collaborations can help companies establish new value chains and production lines. Many U.S. companies already benefit from these partnerships.
This session will explore the key factors behind their success, and provide insights on partnering and funding opportunities in Europe’s biomanufacturing sector.
Hosted by:
Samuele Ambrosetti, Programming and Innovation Manager, Bio-based Industries Consortium
Featuring:
Nico Snoeck, Business Development Manager, Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant
Max Weisz, Strategy and Business Development, Cargill BioIndustrial
Jessica Monserrate PhD, Head of Sustainability North America, BASF
13:00
Networking lunch
Sponsored by ADM
14:15
GUEST SPEAKER
Introducing an alliance to unleash the future of American biomanufacturing
The American Alliance for Biomanufacturing (AAB) is a new coalition of leaders in U.S. industrial biomanufacturing formed to accelerate the commercial deployment of bio-based products and technologies. Hear from global biosolutions company, Novonesis, why they are supporting this initiative and how the Alliance aims to address critical challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving sector – one that is increasingly vital to American economic and national security, and public health.
Amy Davis, Head of Public Affairs, Novonesis & Representative, American Alliance for Biomanufacturing
14:30
Sustaining Peak Yield with AI: Cut Variability, Maximize Performance, Boost Margin
Every week, biomanufacturers glimpse peak performance between average runs. Without knowing exactly how or why, they can’t repeat it, and variability erodes yield. Golgix CEO Nitin Ranjan shares how a Midwest ethanol plant used AI to pinpoint optimal operating profiles, predict drift before it hit production, and guide operators to sustain peak yield. The result: tighter control, higher output from the same inputs, and a sub-1-year payback. See how this proven approach extends from ethanol to process-driven biomanufacturing industries, making peak production the rule, not the exception.
Nitin Ranjan, Founder & CEO, Golgix
14:45
PANEL DISCUSSION
AI - A tool U.S. industrial biomanufacturing cannot ignore
Explore global advances in AI to speed bio innovation, drive efficiency, speed process design, and accelerate the pathway to cost parity. Our panel of experts will draw on example of AI at work across the industry from farm to end product, exploring what works and where the future lies. The session will also consider the advances that Europe and Asia are making in this field, with discussion of where America has opportunities to take the lead, and where it needs to catch up.
Hosted by:
Leo Stemp, Head of Content, Bio Innovations Midwest
Featuring:
Cees van Dok, Product Manager and UX Design Prosyn.ai, Process Design Centre
Dr Will Cao, Co-founder & CEO, Pando Bioscience
Apostolos Zournas, Postdoctoral Researcher, Agile BioFoundry – Berkeley Lab
Zachary Karl, Vice President Business Development, eXoZymes
15:15
A Novel Lignin-First Biorefinery Solves Biomass Upcycling Challenges
FiberX’s biomass refinery upcycles corn stover into value-added chemical feedstocks through sustainable processing. The mechanical refinery creates additives for multiple industries. The lignin-first biorefinery uniquely upcycles lignin into high value adhesive and personal care products, while also generating valuable co-products that can be used to make ethanol, textiles, hydrogels and more.
Dave Skibinski, CEO, FiberX
15:30
PANEL DISCUSSION
Scaling products from a diversity of feedstocks to power up the U.S. bioeconomy
The U.S. bioeconomy is increasingly fueled by a range of renewable feedstocks—from corn, soy, and wheat to sugarcane, seaweed, and potatoes. This conversation explores how innovators across agriculture and industry are advancing biobased products using regionally available crops. It will highlight how feedstock diversity and bioproducts can unlock new markets and strengthen supply chain resilience. Speakers will also explore the role of collaboration, research, and investment in scaling production and meeting the growing demand for renewable materials.
Hosted by:
James Glueck, Executive Director, Plant Based Products Council
Featuring:
Meredith Bottos, External Affairs, Braskem
Jonathan Plisco, Chief Commercial Officer, Loliware
Ken Kramer, President and CTO, BioLogiq
Matthew Berdy, Global Commercial Director, Sustainea