This joint webinar between BBIA and GCSB will compare how the EU, UK and US are shaping markets for sustainable bioproducts, with a particular focus on where policy supports — or obstructs — scale-up, market access and credible end-of-life outcomes. This fits the Global Center's emphasis on use-inspired, policy-relevant bioeconomy research, stakeholder co-generation, and circular bioeconomy outcomes, as well as the BBIA's interests across the bioeconomy.
This will be a virtual round-table discussion between three experts on regional policy:
Julie Pieters (Belgian) is the EU Policy Affairs Manager at European Bioplastics, with a strong background in law and diplomacy. She holds a master’s degree in law from the Free University of Brussels and an LLM in European Law from Panthéon-Assas (Paris). In her current role at European Bioplastics, Julie engages with policymakers, stakeholders, and industry leaders to ensure that biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastic solutions are integrated into European regulatory frameworks.
Dr Jen Vanderhoven is CEO of the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA), a biotechnology leader with 20+ years’ experience spanning R&D, commercial strategy, and sustainable innovation. She champions bio-based materials, circular bioeconomy policy, and strategic partnerships to drive positive environmental and industry transformation.
Steven L. Evans, Ph.D. is Senior Technical Fellow at BioMADE, with over 30 years’ experience bringing biotechnology products from research into commercial and field applications. His work has included natural and recombinant biopesticides, crop traits, plant genome editing and bioanalytical technologies, with previous roles at Mycogen Corporation and Dow AgroSciences. He now applies this experience to advancing bioindustrial manufacturing and engineering biology through BioMADE and wider public–private innovation networks.
