Keynote speakers

We are delighted to have the following industry and academic experts present at the Conference.

Structure-property relations and specificities of biocomposites

• Dr Morwenna Spear, Bangor BioComposites Centre (UK)
  'What can natural fibre composites learn from recent advances in wood modification?'
  
  
• Dr Nilmini Dissanayake, National Physical Laboratory (UK)
  'Influence of moisture uptake on creep behaviour of flax fibre reinforced composites'
  
  
• *Dr Stuart Coles, University of Warwick (UK)
  'The development of a waste cooking oil-based substitute for epoxy resins and how it can be used in impact structures for automotive applications'
  
  
• Dr Gareth Roberts, Cambond (UK)
  'Grain waste-based bioresins and adhesives for fully-green moulded composites'
  
  
• *Prof Vijay Kumar Thakur, Scotland's Rural College (UK)
  'Extraction and development of hemp composites' - Virtual talk
  
  
• Dr Moumita Sit, University of Portsmouth (UK)

Industry + technology transfer and future perspectives

• *Karim Behlouli, Natup Fibers and Ecotechnilin (France)
  'A vision for natural fibres in the automotive sector' 
  
  
• *Dr Arthur Monti, Chereau Group (France)
  'Flax composites for the truck and haulage sector'
  
  
• *Alan Banks, UK Lightweight Innovations Manager, Ford Motor Company (UK)
  'Net-Zero enabling lightweight technology'
  
  
• *Prof Fabrizio Scarpa, University of Bristol (UK)
  'Ssuchy - Plant fibre composites in transportation' - Virtual talk
  
  
• Dr Lydia Smith, National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB, UK)
  'Potential of Hemp for reintroduction into UK agriculture'
  
  
• Iris Aquilina Anderson, Bioladies Network (UK)
  'Standards and Green Claims Code for Bio-based Plastics'
  
  
• Jamie Bartley, Unyte Hemp (UK)
  'Hemp value-chain in the UK: from cultivation to carbon credits'
  
  
• Suneet Shivprasad, Rare Earth Global (UK)
  'Hemp based materials for vertiports, aircraft and supporting infrastructure'