Brussels 26 October 2018 - With speakers first vice-president Frans Timmermans of the EU Commission and Boyan Slat of The Ocean Clean Up on stage, Cefic managed to organise quite a strong programme complementing CEOs from LyondellBasell and Dow, and Shell's Executive Vice-President, to speak about circular economy and the future of plastic. Frans Timmermans said the European chemicals industry's attitude to measures to promote a circular economy had shifted dramatically in its favour in recent years.  He used to see a fair bit of push-back from the industry a few years ago but he now sees more push-back from the institutions on this. Industry appears to be on board and willing to be part of the solution. Boyan Slat reported on progress made with his first system, now being deployed in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Already well tested in the North Sea, the system is now up and running in the Great Pacific Ocean, with first results expected in the coming weeks. Slat intends installing another 69 systems to halve the garbage patch in five years' time. Another hot topic, Brexit, was debated by a panel consisting of ING’s Chief Economist Carsten Brzeski, ECHA’s Director of Risk Management Jack de Bruijn, UK Dept of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy’s Director Infrastructure and Materials Niall Mackenzie and Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King’s College of London and Director of the UK in a changing Europe. Though a lively debate on necessities and challenges, all agreed that, as things stand after the EU Council discussions, not much can be done – besides hoping for a deal. The Chemical Convention closed with a dinner in the Gallery of Honour in the Rijksmuseum, where the guests enjoyed dinner while contemplating the Nachtwacht by Rembrandt. The dinner was hosted by Royal VNCI with guest speakers Stientje van Veldhoven, State Secretary of Infrastructure and Water Management, Udo Kock, Deputy Mayor of Amsterdam and Feike Sybesma, CEO DSM. The evening would not have been possible without our sponsors Shell, Nouryon, Sabic, Eastman, LyondelBassell and DSM. Above picture: Frans Timmermans (first vice-president of the EU Commission) Above from left to right: Boyan Slat (The Ocean Clean Up), Stephen Sackur (BBC) Above from left to right: Stephen Sackur (BBC), Jim Fitterling (Dow), Bob Patel (LyondellBasell), Graham van't Hoff (Shell) Above from left to right:  Jack de Bruijn (ECHA’s Director of Risk Management), Niall Mackenzie (UK Dept of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy’s Director Infrastructure and Materials), Anand Menon (Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs, King’s College of London and Director of the UK in a changing Europe) - Carsten Brzeski (ING’s Chief Economist), Stephen Sackur (BBC) Photo credit: Frederik Beyens