The DECHEMA/VDI Section Chemical Reaction Engineering cordially invites you to the 62nd Tutzing Symposion 2026: Electrification of the Chemical Industry.
At this Symposion, experts will present and discuss the status-quo of European and global efforts towards electrifying the chemical industries. In workshops, we will develop a vision of future pathways.
The chemical industry is at the heart of the global transformation towards climate neutrality. Electrification and innovative technologies offer unique opportunities to significantly reduce CO₂-emissions, re-think processes, and drive sustainable growth.
While the demand for green products increases, regulatory frameworks and high energy costs put strong competitive pressure on the European industry.
The “Tutzing Symposion” will provide a platform for an interdisciplinary exchange and constructive discussion on this fundamental transformation including the different constraints of scale, region and type of production site.
Key topics of the “62nd Tutzing Symposion” will include electrified process engineering, the reduction of the CO₂-footprint, sustainable heat supply, and cross-sectoral solutions for a climate-neutral chemical industry. The programme combines invited lectures, interactive workshops, and focused discussion sessions to encourage both knowledge exchange and practical outcomes. The focus themes are complemented by status and trends analyses. During workshops a new joint innovation vision for the coming years will be defined.
| Kai Ehrhardt | BASF (Co-Chair) |
|---|---|
| Vanessa Gepert | Air Liquide |
| Michael Häberl | Merck |
| Dirk Holtmann | KIT |
| Elias Klemm | University of Stuttgart (Chair) |
| Stefan Krämer | Bayer AG Engineering & Technology |
| Udo Kragl | University of Rostock |
| Ulrike Krewer | KIT |
| Florian Paul | DECHEMA e.V. |
| Julia Riese | Paderborn University |
| Kathrin Rübberdt | DECHEMA e.V. |
| Jörg Sauer | KIT |
| Annelies Vandersickel | University of Stuttgart |
| Ingolf Voigt | Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme IKTS |
The Symposion will address the following topics:
1. Benchmarking CO2 footprint reduction concepts
2. Global aspects of electrification
3. Electrification of separation technologies
4. Electrification of (bio-)chemical reactions and reactors
5. Transformation to resilient and sustainable heat supply
6. Concepts for stand-alone and integrated production with renewable electricity
(as of December 2025, subject to change)
Tuesday, 13 October 2026
Wednesday, 14 October 2026
Thursday, 15 October 2026
| 11:00 | Registration |
|---|---|
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 13:25 | Welcome Address N.N. of Evangelische Akademie Tutzing |
| 13:30 |
Welcome and Introduction Elias Klemm (University of Stuttgart), Kai Ehrhardt (BASF) |
Chairs: Vanessa Gepert (Air Liquide), Jörg Sauer (KIT)
| 13:45 |
From vision to implementation - a reality check on CO2 reduction pathways Thomas Wurzel, Air Liquide, Frankfurt am Main/DE |
|---|---|
| 14:00 |
The defossolisation of the energy sytems sets the basis for the CO2 footprint reduction in the chemical Industry Maximilian Fleischer, Siemens Energy (Global GmbH & Co. KG), Munich/DE |
| 14:15 |
CO2 emission reduction concepts in metallurgical silicon production Ingmar Piglosiewicz, Wacker Chemie AG, Munich/DE |
| 14:30 |
Discussion with all speakers of this session |
| 15:15 | Coffee break |
Chairs: Kai Ehrhardt (BASF), Elias Klemm (University of Stuttgart)
| 16:00 |
Challenges and opportunities for the electrification of the chemical industry in the U.S. |
|---|---|
| 16:15 |
Challenges and opportunities for the electrification of the chemical industry in the Middle East Nima Nabizadeh, Consultant, Dubai/UAE |
| 16:30 |
Challenges and opportunities for the electrification of the chemical industry in Europe Peter Holtappels, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen/DE |
|
16:45 -17:30 |
Discussion with all speakers of this session |
| 18:00 | Dinner |
| 20:00 |
Chair: Kai Ehrhardt (BASF) Evening lecture Energy transition and electrification – key building blocks for climate protection – where do we stand today? Manfred Fischedick, Wuppertal Institut für Klima, Umwelt, Energie gGmbH/DE |
| 21:00 |
Get-together at the parlours of the Castle Drinks and wine on self-paid basis |
| 07:30 | Breakfast |
|---|
Chairs: Julia Riese (Paderborn University), Ingolf Voigt (IKTS)
| 08:30 |
Electrification of separation technologies: Opportunities for heat pump and vapor recompression technologies in process industries Niklas Paul, Lea Wessner, Evonik Oxeno GmbH & Co. KG, Marl/DE |
|---|---|
| 08:45 |
On the fundamentals of ion transport in electrified membrane separation processes Matthias Wessling, RWTH Aachen/DE |
| 09:00 |
Approaches and challenges in the electrification of adsorptive separation processes Mohsen Gholami, Tom Van Assche, Joeri F.M. Denayer, Vrije Universiteit Brussel/BE |
| 09:15 |
Discussion with all speakers of this session |
| 10:00 |
Coffee break |
Chairs: N.N. , Ulrike Krewer (KIT)
| 10:30 |
Implementation challenges of industrial electrolysis processes Jürgen Kintrup, Covestro Deutschland AG, Leverkusen/DE |
|---|---|
| 10:45 |
Harnessing biocatalytic redox half reactions for cleaner chemical synthesis Kylie Vincent, University of Oxford/UK |
| 11:00 |
Pathways to technical implementation of resistance-heated high-temperature reactors Michael Reitz, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen/DE |
| 11:15 |
Discussion with all speakers of this session |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
Chairs: Stefan Krämer (Bayer), Annelies Vandersickel (DLR)
| 13:30 |
Electrification of energy-intensive industries: Potentials and challenges from a systemic perspective Matthias Rehfeldt, Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research ISI, Karlsruhe/DE |
|---|---|
| 13:45 |
Reference models for the chemical industry - What can we learn from universally applicable models about decarbonization technologies Stefan Kirschbaum, Gesellschaft zur Förderung angewandter Informatik e.V. (GFaI), Berlin/DE |
| 14:00 |
Examples of sustainable electrification at BASF and current challenges Johannes Haus, BASF SE, Ludwigshafen/DE |
| 14:15 |
Discussion with all speakers of this session |
| 15:00 |
Coffee break |
| 15:30 |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| 17:00 | Participants change to another workshop | |
| 17:15 | ||
| 18:45 | Dinner | |
| 20:30 |
Get-together at the parlours of the Castle Drinks and wine on self-paid basis |
| 07:30 | Breakfast |
|---|
Chairs: Michael Haeberl (Merck), Elias Klemm (University of Stuttgart)
| 08:30 |
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges integrated energy proposition: a multifocal answer to a complex challenge Didier van Osselaer, Stefan van Laer, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Antwerpen/BE |
|---|---|
| 08:45 |
Process- and infrastructure-related transformation concept for Chemiepark Knapsack Martin Lindmeyer, YNCORIS GmbH & Co. KG, Hürth/DE |
| 09:00 |
Energy Roadmap at Merck KGaA in Darmstadt – the path to a greenhouse-gas neutral, resilient and competitive site Stefan Müller, Merck KGaA, Darmstadt/DE |
| 09:15 |
Discussion with all speakers of this session |
| 10:00 |
Coffee break |
Chairs: Elias Klemm (University of Stuttgart), Kai Ehrhardt (BASF)
| 10:45 |
PANEL DISCUSSION Presentation of the results of the sessions/workshops and final discussion |
|---|---|
| 12:45 |
Closing remarks Jörg Sauer (KIT) , Nicole Lutters (Paderborn University) |
| 12:50 | Lunch |
| 14:00 |
End of the Symposion |
The 62nd Tutzing Symposion will be organised by
DECHEMA e.V.
Theodor-Heuss-Allee 25
60486 Frankfurt am Main
in cooperation with
In 2026, the “62nd Tutzing Symposion” will provide a unique platform and ample time to exchange ideas between industry experts, stakeholders, leading researchers, and decision-makers. The Symposion is designed as a closed-door meeting to foster exchange and discussion in the areas of electricity-based chemical production.
The Symposion will offer the opportunity to prepare a position paper that summarizes the main findings and recommendations for research, industry, and policy makers. This document will be published after the event to provide valuable orientation for stakeholders in Europe and worldwide.
The venue is located directly at the shore of Lake Starnberg, 40 km south of Munich and is only about 30 minutes away from Munich central station and 60 minutes away from Munich airport by train. See www.ev-akademie-tutzing.de/en for further details.
Join us in shaping the future of a sustainable and electrified chemical industry. We are looking forward to meeting you in Tutzing.
More information: Committee Topics Programme Organiser and Partners
##62TUSY2026
