The global plastics industry is undergoing a major transformation as governments, manufacturers, recyclers, technology providers, brand owners and investors place greater emphasis on circularity. The future of plastics is increasingly defined not only by how materials are produced, but also by how they are collected, sorted, recycled and returned to the economy.

Against this backdrop, the PolyNext Awards & Conference Dubai 2026 will bring together industry leaders, innovators and sustainability professionals to examine the challenges and opportunities shaping plastic recycling, sustainable materials and the circular economy.

The conference will provide a platform for industry dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders across the global plastics value chain. Topics will include recycling infrastructure, feedstock availability, advanced technologies, policy developments, supply-chain resilience and sustainable business models.

Dubai continues to strengthen its position as an international hub for innovation, sustainability and global business. PolyNext will give participants from different regions an opportunity to exchange perspectives and explore practical approaches to accelerating the transition towards a more circular plastics economy.

A Platform for Industry Collaboration

Plastic recycling is becoming increasingly complex. The sector must manage growing volumes of waste, changing regulatory requirements, fluctuating feedstock availability, rising demand for high-quality recycled materials and the need to develop economically viable circular solutions.

The transition towards circularity requires cooperation throughout the entire value chain. Recyclers need reliable access to quality feedstock, while manufacturers require recycled materials that meet performance requirements. Brands face increasing pressure to improve sustainability and reduce their dependence on virgin plastic. Governments and regulators must establish frameworks that encourage innovation while supporting long-term investment.

PolyNext Awards & Conference Dubai 2026 aims to bring these different perspectives together. Discussions will extend beyond theory to address practical challenges, real-world experiences, emerging technologies and strategies that can support stronger and more resilient recycling ecosystems.

The event will also create networking and engagement opportunities for professionals from recycling companies, polymer producers, waste-management organisations, technology providers, packaging companies, sustainability specialists and other key stakeholder groups.

Confirmed Speakers

PolyNext Awards & Conference Dubai 2026 will feature an international group of speakers representing different areas of the plastics, recycling, sustainability and circular-economy ecosystem.

The confirmed speakers are:

• Anas Jawed — CEO, Next Business Media
• Sven Jacobi — Founder, MBRC the ocean
• Mohammad Ishaq — Sourcing Manager, Ravago Recycling Middle East
• Nima Vakili — Founder and CEO, Safa BioWorks
• Tobias Lind — CEO, THEVINYL AB
• Mike Thompson — Owner and Co-founder, Blu Sky Technical Services Ltd
• Rémi Cesaro — Founder and Director, Zero Waste City
• Dirk-Jan Kootstra — Founder and Managing Director, Quattra-P
• Vikas Chhajer — CEO, Gemcorp Recycling & Technologies Pvt. Ltd
• Kaavyanjali — Member, Healing Al Hajar
• Le Anh — Sustainability Director, DUYTAN Recycling
• Saeed Al Shamsi — Chairman, EXHub Holding

Together, the speakers bring experience in recycling operations, sustainable business development, technology, environmental initiatives, material recovery, circular-economy strategies and international industry collaboration.

Their participation reflects the increasingly multidisciplinary nature of plastics recycling. Addressing the sector’s challenges requires more than additional recycling capacity; it also requires stronger connections between technology, policy, supply chains, business strategy and sustainability.

Conference Agenda: Confirmed Speaker Sessions

The PolyNext Awards & Conference Dubai 2026 agenda will focus on issues shaping the future of plastic recycling and circularity. Confirmed speaker sessions include the following:

Opening Remarks

Speaker: Anas Jawed, CEO, Next Business Media

The conference will begin with opening remarks establishing the context for the discussions ahead. The session will address the importance of industry collaboration and the growing need for practical solutions that support the transition towards a more sustainable and circular plastics ecosystem.

Ensuring Business Continuity in the Face of Supply Chain Disruptions in Plastic Recycling Ecosystems

Speaker: Vikas Chhajer, CEO, Gemcorp Recycling & Technologies Pvt. Ltd

Supply-chain disruption remains one of the major challenges facing the global recycling industry. The availability, quality and movement of recyclable materials can be affected by regulatory changes, market conditions, logistics challenges and international trade.

This session will examine the importance of building resilient recycling ecosystems that can adapt to changing market and supply-chain conditions. It will explore how recycling businesses can strengthen operational continuity, diversify supply sources and develop strategies that support long-term resilience.

As the recycling sector continues to grow, supply-chain stability will become increasingly important for companies investing in recycling infrastructure and recycled-material production.

The focus on continuity also connects the conference agenda with the wider requirements of circularity: recycling systems need dependable material flows, consistent processing capabilities and end markets able to absorb recovered materials. These operational questions will be relevant across the value chain represented at the event.

Key Themes Shaping the Conversation

Beyond the confirmed speaker sessions, PolyNext Awards & Conference Dubai 2026 will bring the industry together around developments affecting the sector. These include improving recycling infrastructure, strengthening feedstock collection systems, increasing recycled-content adoption, improving material traceability and developing more effective circular-economy business models.

The industry is also seeing growing interest in advanced recycling technologies, digitalisation and innovations designed to improve the efficiency of sorting and material recovery.

Collaboration will be another important area of discussion. No individual organisation can independently resolve the challenges associated with global plastic waste. Progress requires coordination among governments, municipalities, waste-management companies, recyclers, manufacturers and brand owners.

Events such as PolyNext provide an environment where these stakeholders can share knowledge and build stronger industry connections.

Attending Companies and Industry Representation

The PolyNext Awards & Conference Dubai 2026 will bring together professionals and organisations representing different parts of the global plastics and recycling value chain.

The participating ecosystem includes companies and organisations from sectors such as:

• Plastic recycling and waste management
• Polymer manufacturing and processing
• Sustainable materials
• Packaging and manufacturing
• Recycling technology
• Circular-economy solutions
• Environmental sustainability
• Waste collection and material recovery
• Supply-chain management
• Industrial innovation
• Sustainability consulting
• Investment and business development

Organisations represented through the confirmed speakers include MBRC the ocean, Ravago Recycling Middle East, Safa BioWorks, THEVINYL AB, Blu Sky Technical Services Ltd, Zero Waste City, Quattra-P, Gemcorp Recycling & Technologies Pvt. Ltd, Healing Al Hajar, DUYTAN Recycling and EXHub Holding.

This range of representation is intended to support a broader exchange of perspectives among companies operating at different stages of the plastics value chain.

Recognising Industry Leadership

The PolyNext Awards will also recognise companies, projects and professionals contributing to progress in plastic recycling, sustainability and circular-economy development.

Recognition can highlight organisations that are turning sustainability commitments into measurable action. The awards will cover achievements in areas including recycling innovation, material recovery, sustainable manufacturing and circular business models.

The awards ceremony will provide an opportunity to recognise industry leadership while encouraging further innovation and collaboration across the sector.

Looking Towards a More Circular Future

The future of the plastics industry will depend on stakeholders’ ability to create systems that keep valuable materials in circulation for longer. Recycling alone is not a complete solution. The industry must also improve collection, product design, material selection, sorting, traceability and end-market development.

A truly circular economy requires a coordinated approach connecting every stage of the value chain. PolyNext Awards & Conference Dubai 2026 will provide a platform for discussions on these issues.

By bringing together recyclers, manufacturers, sustainability professionals, technology providers and industry leaders, the event aims to support the exchange of ideas that can contribute to practical and scalable solutions.

The challenges facing the industry are significant, as are the opportunities. Continued innovation, stronger collaboration and a shared commitment to responsible material management can support the global plastics sector’s movement towards a more sustainable and circular future.

PolyNext Awards & Conference Dubai 2026 will serve as a meeting point for the people and organisations working to make that transition possible.

Source: CoinLineup