*“The Chemical Industry and the 4th Industrial Revolution: People, Planet, Profit in the Digital Age”* *Brussels/Berlin, 27th Sep 2017. The largest gathering of the global chemical business community takes place in Berlin between the 30th of September and the 3rd of October, bringing together more than 2,700 participants from all over the world for multifaceted exchanges and networking opportunities. The theme of this year’s edition is “The Chemical Industry and the 4th Industrial Revolution: People, Planet, Profit in the Digital Age” featuring a thought provoking program with world-class speakers. * The 51st EPCA Annual Meeting which is themed “*The Chemical Industry & the 4th Industrial Revolution: People, Planet, Profit in the Digital Age*” will look at how far the petrochemical industry has already embraced the new features of this industrial revolution enabling the adaptation of existing business models and if this sector will be next in line to transform in the digital age, after the media, telecommunication, retail, insurance and financial sectors. EPCA, The European Petrochemical Association, serves as the quality network, platform to meet, transfer learning, exchange information, as well as “think tank” for more than 700 member companies from all over the globe. Together they stand for an aggregate turnover of € 4.7 trillion and employ over 6.2 million people worldwide. EPCA member companies are producers of chemicals, their customers and suppliers, inclusive of supply chain management and logistics service providers working with or for the petrochemical industry. Approximately 2,700 representatives of member companies attend these Annual Meetings on a regular basis. The delegates are opinion makers, business leaders, executive directors, CEO’s or owners of the companies they work for. The four-day meeting allows for a high-level exchange as well as global networking and reflects the role of EPCA: to provide a platform to meet, exchange information and transfer learning, as well as a think tank for its members and its stakeholders. An array of business sessions has also been prepared to address the different dimensions of the digital revolution as well as the contribution of this sector in shaping a sustainable and inclusive digital age. Amongst others, some of our speakers will be James R. Fitterling, President & Chief Operating Officer of The Dow Chemical Company, Dr. Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant, Klaus Rud Sejling, CEO of Damco, Steven Holland, CEO & Chairman of the management Board at Brenntag AG, Dr. Frithjof Netzer, Chief Digital Officer, BASF SE, April Rinne, Advisor & Pathfinder and Head of the Sharing Economy Working Group of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Prof. Ann Vereecke, partner and faculty Dean of Vlerick Business School, Martin Wolf, Chief Economics Commentator for the Financial Times (FT) as well as Ban Ki-moon, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007-2016) who will be giving us his unique perspective on world affairs. More information on the sessions and speakers can be found by visiting: https://epca.eu/annual-meeting-workshop/51st-Annual-Meeting-Berlin-Speakers ​*Commitment for the future: the European Youth Debating Competition (EYDC)* Besides providing a platform for the global chemical business community, EPCA is also involved in a variety of projects that are of interest to this industry: supply chain and logistics management, diversity & gender inclusion or young talent development in order to help nurture a new generation of young academics in the field of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). In the context of this work, EPCA is proud to organise for the second year in a row, in partnership with PlasticsEurope, the European Youth Debating Competition (EYDC). The aim of this project is to provide secondary schools and first year university students a platform for open and inspirational discussion on topical issues related to petrochemistry and plastics. Between May and September 2017, national competitions were held in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, France and the United Kingdom where young students debated about society, the environment and the economy and how these all three are deeply affected by the digital revolution. In total, about 400 students received the opportunity to discuss and debate on the role of petrochemistry and plastics in the digital age. Students are invited to research and discover industry linked topics which might be new to them and express themselves in a convincing way. For the petrochemical and plastic industries, it is an opportunity to connect with the new generation, listen and learn about their views. The European Finals will be held on Sunday 1st October 2017 in the afternoon with the finalists from the seven EYDC National Finals with ten winners eventually chosen. The first top five winners will be rewarded by Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday 3rd October 2017 during the closing lunch of the 51st EPCA’s Annual Meeting in Berlin. To learn more about EPCA and its education initiatives, please visit: http://epca.eu/education