The upcoming ERC event TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND INNOVATIVE SUPPLY CHAINS is hosted by Siemens Energy and Deloitte. Jan Prins, Business Development Global Account Manager at Siemens Energy and Gisele Widdershoven, Sustainability Partner, Deloitte are pleased to present the sessions they have developed in close collaboration with the other ERC Steering Board partners and Focus Group leaders and the experts they have invited.

09:30
Interviews. Welcome by the hosts
Renske Ytsma, Managing Director, Siemens Energy Benelux
Oscar Snijders, Partner, Sustainability Lead, Deloitte

9:40
Opening keynote.
Making Supply Chains Work: An Economic Perspective on Energy Transition
Gerben Hieminga, Economist energy markets and energy transition, ING

The energy transition has moved from a climate imperative to an economic challenge. Europe stands at a crossroads where competitiveness, sustainability, and (geo)politics meet. The transformation of global, regional and domestic supply chains is about innovation but also very much about coordination, policy foresight, and smart economic strategy.

10:05
Interviews. Sustainable Procurement and Delivery: How European Policy and Corporate Strategies Drive Change
Christina Losifidou, Head of Sustainability, Siemens Energy
Gisele Widdershoven, Sustainability Partner, Deloitte

Corporate clients increasingly expect their suppliers to demonstrate strong environmental and social responsibility. Suppliers are responding and in some cases clients and suppliers form strategic partnerships focused on innovation—co-developing low-carbon solutions, optimising logistics, and adopting circular economy practices.
European regulations aim to support and accelerate these expectations and responses.
This session addresses how sustainability in the supply chain is both a business and a regulatory necessity.


10:30
Networking break

11:00
Panel. Turning Deglobalisation into Opportunity: Keeping Europe Competitive
Sjouke Bootsma, Director Supply Chain Management, TenneT
Rob Bogers, Director Shell Energy, The Netherlands
Phil Cole, Director of Industrial Affairs, WindEurope

While protectionism rises globally, Europe must balance strategic autonomy with the benefits of open markets. Can Europe seize the development of deglobalisation to strengthen its competitiveness? Scarcity in the supply chain for renewable energy projects highlights the need to secure critical inputs locally if possible. High and unlevel energy prices demand urgent investment in resilient infrastructure. In this session we will hear experiences from renewables and infrastructure projects and whether Europe can turn vulnerabilities into strengths by reinforcing domestic supply chains and supporting innovation.

11:40
Panel. Investing in the Energy Transition: Identifying and Delivering on Opportunities
Peter-Paul Ekelschot, Managing Director Energy, ING Netherlands
Maarten Weeber, Business Development Manager, Air Liquide
Lotte Voermans VP Supply Chain management, VARO Energy
Hendrik de Wit, Project Director CCS & Hydrogen, Yara

How attractive are energy transition projects still? Even in countries with supportive policies and the right natural resources, tenders can fail to deliver. Investors assess opportunities by weighing geopolitical dynamics, such as regional stability and regulatory shifts, which influence returns. This session will address how supply chain risks—like material shortages, trade restrictions, energy costs and viable business cases—shape strategies of investors, project developers and offtakers and the choices companies make in where to invest.

12:30
Networking lunch

13:45
Pitches. In collaboration with the Future Energy Leaders.
Reimagining Supply Chains: Startup Contributions to Innovation and Sustainability
Speaker TBC, DMEC
Zac Cesaro, Founder, Hymonic

The final session of the plenary programme showcases how startups are driving innovation and sustainability in supply chains through real-world solutions, case studies, and impactful ideas.

For the full programme, including the Focus Group sessions, head to the Events page.