NAP Jubilee Conference - Stronger Together in a Volatile World - Programme

Leading boldly. Innovating relentlessly. In a volatile world.

In today’s era of unprecedented change, the question is not whether uncertainty will persist, but how leaders choose to respond. This presentation outlines the essential leadership capabilities required, illustrated through examples from global leaders and NAP members. It explores how to navigate ambiguity, avoid transformation traps, and turn uncertainty into a driver of innovation and sustained value creation.

Redesigning Industry: technology for a world in transition

In a world that is becoming increasingly unpredictable, the process industry is confronted with a fundamental question: how do you remain competitive when the rules of the game are changing? This presentation explores what a more volatile geopolitical, economic and technological landscape means for a sector built on stability, scale and optimization. Where previous speakers reflect on the changing world and its impact on people and organizations, this keynote translates these developments into the physical reality of industry — where everything ultimately revolves around molecules and electrons. The session takes the audience along four interconnected shifts that are redefining the industrial system: the transition to more diverse and circular feedstocks, the electrification and variability of energy, increasing constraints on materials, and the emergence of new molecular infrastructure. The talk shows how technological innovation — from new energy systems to advanced conversion processes and sustainable materials — can turn uncertainty into an opportunity.