KIT Royal Tropical Institute in Amsterdam hosted the Cell Press Symposium: Chemical Solutions for a Sustainable Plastics Future from October 13–15, 2025. This event was co-organized by Bert Weckhuysen and Florian Meirer, in partnership with Cell Press, and brought together the world’s leading minds to address one of the most pressing challenges of our time: transforming the entire lifecycle of plastics.

The symposium marked a critical shift in the global dialogue—moving beyond the simple elimination of plastics toward fostering innovation, efficient circulation, and smart regulation. This was done by connecting chemists designing the molecules and analytical scientists focusing on the formation of micro- and nanoplastics with policymakers and engineers who aim to implement new solutions for plastics recycling at scale. The scientific program featured a diverse lineup of keynote speakers who are pioneering the transition to a circular carbon economy. Notable presenters included a.o. Professors John Hartwig and Karen Wooley (USA). In addition to keynote and regular presentations, there were also panel discussions and poster sessions.