Program

Location: Wiener Konzerthaus, Lothringerstraße 20, 1030 Wien

❗ NOTE: Only registered attendees who have signed up online for the dinner and are wearing the official #EPCA57 delegate badge will be granted access to this exclusive event. We kindly remind all participants that badge reprints or replacements for lost badges will not be provided as per our badge policy. Further info: Badge Policy 

08:00-08:15 Welcome by EPCA’s President - Richard Roudeix, President Ventures EMEAI, LyondellBasell 

08:15-09:30 From Ambition to Action (Leadership/CEO Forum)

Session description:

This session will delve into the complex world of the petrochemical industry and explore the challenges and opportunities it faces in the current uncertain energy landscape. Our expert panel, consisting of industry leaders and external specialists, will offer valuable insights on how to navigate this landscape and identify potential areas for growth and leadership.

We will examine the environmental and social responsibilities of the petrochemical industry and discuss its long-term prospects in Europe in light of high energy and raw material costs, as well as increasing regulatory pressures. Furthermore, we will reflect on how the industry can drive sustainable investments, adopt clean technologies, and foster collaborative initiatives to effectively implement high policy ambitions.
 

Keynote & Moderator: Per Klevnäs, Partner, Material Economics 

Panelists:

• Alfred Stern, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO, OMV
• Matti Lehmus, President and CEO, Neste
• Kajsa Ryttberg-Wallgren, EVP, Global Growth & Hydrogen Business, H2 Green Steel
• Marco Mensink, Director General, Cefic

Replay Link: https://youtube.com/live/3j4ZLoLPVT0 

Presentation: Download PDF

Session description:
From media and technology to energy and mining - no major industry is untouched by the rise of business ecosystems. While creating a business ecosystem is not an easy task, the chemical industry could benefit from exploring this new business model to expand its market access, tap adjacent revenue pools and find answers to the sustainability challenge.

Speakers:

• Moderator: Alexander Hogreve, Managing Director and Partner, BCG 
• Balázs Zoletnik, Partner, BCG Budapest
• Dr. Gabriela Schäfer, Associate Director Chemicals, BCG Hamburg

Replay Link: https://www.youtube.com/live/wsAIUU605Mg 

Presentation: Download PDF

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Session description:
Energy and chemical markets are evolving in profound ways and ushering in a fourth historical industrial and social revolution. Geopolitics, climate concerns, shifting trade balances and technology are intersecting in ways that promise to transform culture, socioeconomics, and market paradigms over the 21st century. However, to reach the longer-term challenges and opportunities of an energy transition and address climate change, market participants must first navigate more immediate obstacles of tepid economic activity, high interest rates and over-capacity.  This session will provide actionable insights on current and near-term future market trends for energy, olefins, polyolefins, aromatics, chlor-alkali, and vinyls.  Critical challenges and expectations for the next five years will be explored for each market, to set up strategic actions toward long-term market evolution.

Speakers:

• Dewey Johnson, SVP & Global Lead
• Carlo Barrasa, Vice President of Energy Markets
• Stephen Lewandowski, Vice President, Global Olefins
• Duncan Clark, Vice President Aromatics & Fibers
• Hazel Kreuz, Vice President, Global Inorganic Chemicals

Replay Link: https://youtube.com/live/AMc7qP3SMnM

Presentation: Download PDF tbc

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Session description: 
Key megatrends impacting the future of the global/European petrochemical industry.
Global petrochemical investment landscape amidst overcapacity, demand uncertainty and the de-carbonisation agenda .
Energy transition and ongoing impact on industrial competitiveness in Europe of higher energy costs.
The future for petrochemical feedstocks and the potential impact of renewables as recycling of polymers becomes more widespread.

Speakers: 

• Nigel Davis, Insight Editor
• Tom Marzec-Manser, Head of Gas Analytics
• James Wilson, Senior Analyst (Olefins)
• Helen McGeough, Senior Analyst & Global Analyst Team Lead, Plastic Recycling

Replay Link: https://youtube.com/live/CdowF9Psb5g

Presentation: Download PDF 

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Session description: The Logistics Session will examine the critical role of supply-chain decarbonization in the impact of corporate climate action.

Transport-related supply-chain emissions (Scope 3) represent a significant opportunity to address decarbonization. However, this is a complex challenge, and even leading companies struggle to obtain the necessary data, set clear targets, and establish standards to which their suppliers must adhere. With mounting political and societal pressures, the implementation of long-term sustainable investments, collaborative initiatives, innovation, and a clear regulatory framework are essential for achieving high policy ambitions.

Keynote & Moderator: Robert Jan Huizing, Partner, Deloitte Consulting

Speakers:

• Hanno Brümmer, Executive Vice President for SC&L-EMLA, Covestro
• Torben Nørgaard, CTO Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
• Christoph Wolff, CEO, Smart Freight Centre
• Peter Van Egerschot, Logistics Director Europe, Dow
• Sanja Carolin Magdeburg, Director Supply Chain – Base Chemical Solutions, HELM AG

Replay Link: https://youtube.com/live/jIDzM3dlz14

Presentation: Download PDF

Session description:
Journey into key market insights as this session offers an in-depth exploration of crude oil, refining, chemical feedstocks markets and the state of play for aromatics and polymer market participants. These sessions will highlight both opportunities and challenges to look out for in the coming year and beyond. A dynamic panel discussion on sustainability, traversing the spectrum from feedstocks to recycling will explore breakthroughs in recycled plastics and the pivotal role of sustainable feedstocks in shaping a more sustainable future.

Speakers: 

• Tony Potter, Vice President, Chemicals
• Hédi Grati, Head of Fuels and Refining, Europe & Eurasia
• Andrew Neale, Executive Director, Aromatics
• Michael Mcdermott, Director, Polymers
• Karine Boccara, Executive Director, Chemical Consulting
• Vinicius Maffei, Associate Editor, EMEA Oil, Light Ends
• Olivier Maronneaud, Global Analytics Lead, Methanol & Plastic Circularity
• Luke Milner, Associate Editorial Director, EMEA Chemicals
• Daniel Pelosi, Associate Editor, EMEA Chemicals

Replay Link: https://youtube.com/live/caGuRq-QDGE

Presentation: To request the presentation from S&P Global Commodity Insights’ sales team, please fill in the form on this page.

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Session description: 
Building sustainable supply chains isn't just a goal; it's an imperative. The goals are set, and technology is evolving rapidly, yet Europe is not electrified fully, so what can we do now?
It's time for actions and answers. Are you ready to revolutionize the future of chemical logistics? 
Join this dynamic session where your voice matters just as much as the industry experts on stage and that is set to reshape the landscape of sustainable supply chains.

Announced speakers:

Opening words:

• Bob Van Steenweghen, sr Corporate Affairs, H.Essers
• Kirsti Gjertsen, Key Accountmanager, Port of Antwerp-Bruges

Ted talk

• Christoph Wolff, CEO, Smart Freight Centre

Multi-disciplinary and interactive panel debate followed by Q&A

• Alan Gelder, VP, Refining & Chemicals, Woodmackenzie
• Joost Naessens, Director Transport & Logistics, Cefic
• Sofie Wallyn, Head of Logistics EMEA, Eastman
• Timo Spaninks, Managing Director, Vopak

Speed interview and Conclusions

• Tom Hautekiet, CCO, Port of Antwerp-Bruges
• Pascal Vranken, CCO, H.Essers

Replay Link: https://youtu.be/n8P5AV2S2EE?t=926

Presentation: Download PDF (Agenda Slides)

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Session description: Unlock the interfaces between economic and environmental revolutions

Presenters:

• Moderator: Ewout von Jarwaarde, CEO, Brenntag Essentials
• Moderator: David O‘Connell, Senior VicePresident, Global Sourcing & Supply Brenntag Essentials
• Guest Speaker: Henrik von Scheel
  Henrik von Scheel is an unshakable optimist who believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together. Best known as the originator and vanguard of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the mastermind of the European Digital Agenda, which ignited the global themes of today. Named by Financial Times as "one of the leading authority on strategy and competitiveness".

Replay Link: https://youtube.com/live/fibfLgzGCLs

Presentation: Download PDF

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08:00-09:30 Workforce of the future: attract and retain talents in our industry (Leadership & Talent)

09:30 Closing by EPCA’s President - Richard Roudeix, President Ventures EMEAI, LyondellBasell

Session description: The Talent Session will explore how the Petrochemical recruitment is being impacted by the ubiquitous talent shortage affecting every industry but is also facing a unique challenge: an awareness of the industry’s direct impact on climate change is leading young people to believe there is no long-term future in the industry. The new labor pool will be motivated differently than today’s current workforce, requiring organizations to shift their performance management and reward systems to optimize retention. In that context, ESG is increasingly central to companies’ strategic planning, brand and culture. It creates value, contributes to performance and competitiveness, strengthens stakeholder relationships and mitigates risks.

Keynote & Moderator: Hans Ubbe Ebbesen, Head of Global Employer Branding, Maersk

Speakers:

• Uta Schulz, Head of Human Capability Future, BASF 
• Helena Gonzalez Romera, Head of Talent Acquisition, Repsol 
• Prof. Andy Mount, Dean of Research and Strategic Partnerships, CSE, School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh
• Janne van Gisbergen, Static Equipment Engineer, ExxonMobil
• Kayla Baptist, Account Manager - B2B Sales, Dow

Replay Link: https://youtu.be/JCunth9nfRM

Presentation: Download PDF