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Save The Date: 20.10.2025: Visible Solutions for Invisible Threats

2025/06/23

Researchers, policymakers, and public health authorities are increasingly focusing their examination on Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs). CECs are recently identified chemical compounds with extensive presence and persistence in our ecosystems. CECs can be pharmaceuticals, personal care products, microplastics, industrial chemicals, novel pesticides etc. While not (yet) fully regulated, CECs might be candidates for future regulation, depending on their potential ecological and health impacts. 


What contaminants are we dealing with specifically? What do we already know about their harmful effects? And what are the expectations in terms of regulation over time? But at the same time, what can we do about them now? What technologies are already available or currently being developed? And how can you make sure to be prepared for future regulation? 


This event on October 20, 2025 at the Science Park University of Antwerp, Niel brings together academic experts, industry frontrunners, policymakers and innovators to address these invisible threats. Discover existing technologies, engage with ongoing research, and help shape future policy and innovation.

 

WHO BENEFITS FROM ATTENDING THIS AFTERNOON:
Anyone being confronted with contamination, including industrial players, study and engineering offices, remediation consultants and contractors, local authorities etc. 
Companies and academics working on soil and water pollution challenge, to represent the current and future monitoring and remediation technologies.

 

WHY ATTEND:
• Stay ahead of evolving insights into contaminants and future regulations
• Exchange ideas and experiences with peers across industry, research and policy
• Discover existing innovative technologies and integrated remediation approaches
• Influence research agendas by sharing your challenges and solution needs
• Engage in collaborative dialogue to create actionable, sustainable solutions tailored to your needs
 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
• Timing: October 20th, 2025 - 13h30 – 19h30
• Venue: Isala Building, Science Park University of Antwerp, Niel, Belgium

Express your interest

 

PRELIMINARY PROGRAMME:

13:30 Registration
14:00 Welcome – Luk Lemmens, Vice governor Province of Antwerp & Chairman of POM Antwerp
14:10 Keynote – Prof. Dr. Ronny Blust of University of Antwerp
14:40 Panel Debate: Impact of CECs on Society, Health and Economy
Moderated by Christian Montag, Managing Director of iFLUX
Bringing together the perspectives from the industry, research, technology development and policy. 

  • • Maarten De Jonge, Head of the Lab Department at the Flemish Environment Agency of VMM
  • • Industry representative (tbc)
  • • Koen Rummens, R&D Engineer of Aquafin
  • • Academic researcher of University of Antwerp (tbc)

15:40 Break
16:10 Thematic Breakout Sessions

  • • “Help! I failed my environmental permit. What does it entail and what next?” – Hosted by ARCHE Consulting
  • • “Clean water through ozonation & activated carbon” – Hosted by the ‘Schone Waterlopen door O3G’ consortium

17:00 Site visits & demo’s 

  • • Lab visit at iFLUX
  • • PFAS water treatment demo by Sodecon
  • • Visit to the VITO Water Experience Container

17:40 Closing – Prof. Dr. Steven Van Passel of University of Antwerp
17:55 Networking Reception & Academic Poster Presentations

 

ORGANISED BY:
The Science Park University of Antwerp, POM Antwerp and University of Antwerp

WITH THE SUPPORT OF:
iFLUX, Sodecon, ARCHE Consulting, INTERREG Schone Waterlopen door O3G consortium and Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

 

Interested in becoming a sponsor as well? Contact us via e-mail.