Sustainability, polysaccharide science, and bio-economy

► The role and responsibility of polysaccharide scientists was reflected upon. ► PS science was placed in the context of actual global issues like bio-economy. ► Difficulties in communication between parties involved and public was addressed. ► Change in relations between science and public is needed. ► PS science has to go beyond the specialist horizon and is key in those transitions. At the opening of the 2nd EPNOE conference the role and responsibility of polysaccharide scientists was reflected upon and placed in the context of actual global issues like the transition process towards “sustainable bio-economy”. Difficulties in the chain of communication between the different parties involved and towards the wider public was addressed. The need for change in the relations between science and the public and to go beyond the horizon of the specialization was discussed. It was stated that polysaccharide science is one of the key sciences in those transitions.