How do we make chemical production genuinely sustainable, rather than just more efficient?
When we turn to enzymes, AI and data-driven discovery, do we really cut energy and material footprints, or just move them somewhere else in the system?
In this edition of SustainaLab Talks, we explore how biocatalysis and enzyme engineering can be accelerated by computational tools, AI, and data-driven platforms to enable more sustainable production processes. Four short presentations will showcase concrete case studies, from molecular design and database-driven discovery to industrial implementation, each explicitly linking technological choices to environmental and resource impact.
Together, the talks will ask:
- How can smarter enzyme design help convert renewable feedstocks?
- What does it take to valorise complex waste streams?
- How can we reduce energy and material footprints in chemical manufacturing?
The talks will be followed by a panel discussion bringing together academic and industry perspectives on how integrated, computational biocatalysis can shape the next generation of sustainable industrial innovation.
Speakers:
- Matthew Styles, Head of R&D Biotechnology at Isobionics.
- Erik Bekkers, Associate Professor in Geometric Deep Learning at the University of Amsterdam.
- More speakers to be announced.
Moderation by Aalt‑Jan van Dijk, Professor of Data Analysis in the Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam.
Who should join?
This event is especially relevant for chemical engineers, biotechnologists, and R&D professionals in the chemical and pharma industries. It is highly valuable for AI researchers in biocatalysis, sustainability managers tracking industrial footprints, and green tech entrepreneurs. Additionally, investors, policy makers, and students or academics in biochemistry, computational chemistry, and environmental sciences will gain deep insights.
Thursday, December 3rd, 2026
15:30 – 18:00 (including networking drinks) 
SustainaLab, Matrix ONE, Amsterdam Science Park 301, 1098 XH Amsterdam
Language: English
Cost: Free