Major Materials and Mining Summit to Drive Sustainable Innovation in Birmingham 2025

Major Industry Gathering for Sustainable Materials Development

The materials, minerals, and mining sectors are set to converge in Birmingham for a significant sustainability-focused conference in November 2025, according to event organizers. The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) will host Materials, Minerals and Mining for People, Places, Planet (M3P3) at Millennium Point on November 11-12, 2025, bringing together more than 22 technical communities for what sources describe as a “dynamic programme of debate, insight, and collaboration.”

Major Industry Gathering for Sustainable Materials Development
Focus on Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions
Distinguished Speakers and Thought Leadership
Comprehensive Programme Structure
Accessibility and Participation

Focus on Circular Economy and Sustainable Solutions

Analysts suggest the event comes at a critical time as industries grapple with resource challenges and environmental pressures. The conference will feature a dedicated Circular Economy plenary session as part of its Changemakers in Conversation series, which reportedly will address how the UK can rethink resource use, extend product lifecycles, and eliminate waste. This focus aligns with the UK Government’s preparation of its new Circular Economy Strategy, according to reports.

Dr Colin Church, CEO of IOM3, stated that “M3P3 is about more than technical discussion. It is about exploring sustainable solutions and how we can use materials more responsibly. By bringing together our community, we are creating a space where people can connect, collaborate, and influence what comes next.”, according to industry news

Distinguished Speakers and Thought Leadership

The event will feature prominent figures across policy, industry, and academia. Speakers include Mary Creagh CBE MP, Minister for Nature; Libby Peake, Head of Resource Policy at Green Alliance; Professor Mark Miodownik MBE FREng of University College London; and Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland. Together, they will share insights on how industries can lead toward a regenerative, low-carbon future, according to event details.

Additional keynote presentations will come from Ed Conway, Economics Editor at Sky News; Sarah Mukherjee MBE, CEO of ISEP; and David Knowles FREng, CEO of the Henry Royce Institute. Sources indicate these thought leaders will address the intersection of materials innovation, industrial strategy, and environmental responsibility.

Comprehensive Programme Structure

The two-day event promises a diverse range of content formats designed to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange. According to the programme overview, delegates can expect:

Four Changemakers in Conversation plenary sessions addressing key industry challenges
Twelve Topical Knowledge Exchange Sessions for specialized technical discussions
IOM3 Training Academy taster workshops for professional development
Satellite conferences exploring timber, bio-based polymers, and materials for net-zero fission and fusion technologies
Dedicated student and early careers programme to nurture future industry professionals

Accessibility and Participation

Event organizers emphasize that M3P3 is open to all professionals and students with interests in materials, minerals, and mining. Both one-day and two-day passes are available, providing flexibility for delegates to participate in what analysts describe as a crucial networking and collaboration opportunity for the sector. The conference aims to create connections across traditional disciplinary boundaries and foster the interdisciplinary approaches needed for sustainable innovation.

With the materials sector facing increasing pressure to demonstrate environmental responsibility and circular economy principles, industry observers suggest events like M3P3 provide essential platforms for sharing best practices and accelerating the transition toward more sustainable materials management.