On the afternoon of June 29, 2021, the 2021 International Conference on Green Plasticizers washeld online. The event was organized by the School of Chemical and Material Engineering at Jiangnan University, with co-organizers including the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI) and Ningbo University of Technology (NBUT). Experts from various institutions attended the conference, including the Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI), BASF SE (Germany), Aekyung Group (South Korea), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), the Japan Plasticizer Industry Association (JPIA), the Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products (ICIFP) at the Chinese Academy of Forestry (CAF), Lanfan Chemical Group, and Ningbo University of Technology (NBUT). Discussions focused on key issuesrelated toenvironmentally friendly additives, industry regulations, and development trends.

The conference was chaired by Professor Pingping Jiang (Jiangnan University), with Professor Agus Haryono (Indonesian Academy of Sciences, AIPI) serving as international co-chair, and Dr. Yirui Shen (Ningbo University of Technology,NBUT) as the moderator.The conference featured eight keynote presentations: Professor Pingping Jiang (Jiangnan University) on “Research Progress on Novel Bio-based Plasticizers”; Dr. Puyou Jia (Institute of Chemical Industry of Forest Products, Chinese Academy of Forestry) on “One-PotSolvent-FreeSynthesisof Highly Branched and Non-Toxic Plasticizers from Cashew Nut Shell Liquid”; Shilong Qiao, Senior Engineer at Lanfan Chemical Co., Ltd., on “Transformational Development and Innovative Applications of Industrial Plasticizer Products”; Professor Agus Haryono (Indonesian Academy of Sciences, AIPI) on “Current Status of Palm Oil Production and Its Potential as a Plasticizer and Other Polymer Additives”; Dr. Hiromi Yanase (Japan Plasticizer Industry Association, JPIA) on “Environmental Fate and Transport of Phthalate Plasticizers”; Dr. Rainer Otter, Vice President of BASF SE (Germany), on “BASF’s Key Focus Areas in Sustainable Chemistry”; Dr. Hendrik T. M. Fischer (Evonik Industries AG, Germany) on “Sustainable Plasticizers: An Overview of Regulations and Sustainability Initiatives”; and Jong-Hwan Jeong, Researcher at the Functional Materials Research Group, Central R&D Center, Aekyung Petrochemical (South Korea), on “Development and Application of Plasticizers.” The conference drew over 390 participants, primarily faculty and researchers from universities and research institutions as well as industry professionals. The presentations were highly engaging, with lively discussions and active participation from the audience.

In closing, Professor Pingping Jiangdelivered concluding remarks, expressingappreciation to the invited experts for their insightful presentations. The conference provided a valuable platform for academic and industrial exchange.The event featured lively discussions, withstrongparticipation from attendees,facilitatinghighly effective communication. The success of this conference provided new directions for the future development of environmentally friendly plasticizers, enhanced Jiangnan University’s international standing in the field, and strengthened international collaborations. Building on this event, the organizing committee aims to further broaden academic perspectives, promote innovation, and strengthen collaboration among academia, industry, and research communities across China, Belt and Road countries, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Group photo of conference organizers

Conference Chair: Professor Pingping Jiang (Jiangnan University); International Co-Chair: Professor Agus Haryono (Indonesian Academy of Sciences); Moderator: 

Dr. Yirui Shen (Ningbo University of Technology)

Presentations by Professor Pingping Jiang, Professor Agus Haryono, Vice President Rainer Otter, Dr. Hendrik T. M. Fischer, Dr. Puyou Jia, 

Professor Hiromi Yanase, and Researcher Jong-Hwan Jeong

Moderator Dr. Yirui Shen

Conference chair Professor Pingping Jiang delivering concluding remarks

Main venue

Online participants