Jane Denny
Artificial Intelligence and the Chemical Supply Chains of the Future
Jane Denny: Apr 23, 2024 7:12:18 AM
Planning and preparation for the 27th World Chlor-Alkali Conference is in hand. ResourceWise (formerly Tecnon OrbiChem) and partner I•C•I•S, who inaugurated the event together in the 1990s, are finalizing the agenda as we write.
It will occur at The Parkroyal Collection Pickering Hotel on Upper Pickering Street, close to Singapore's central business district.
It will once again unite the industry's leading experts and decision-makers in discussing the latest developments and challenges facing the vital caustic soda, chlorine, and derivatives markets.
Exploring Chlor-Alkali's Far-reaching Commodities
As a chemicals market sector that impacts every industry worldwide, either directly or indirectly, chlor-alkali's two major chemicals, caustic soda and chlorine, are essential commodities.
And therein lies a unique challenge. Finding the right balance between supply volume and demand requirements of both end-user markets is a key challenge. That duality is one thing that makes this 27-year-old conference so important.
Market-oriented conferences on chlor-alkali subjects were initiated in 1980 by one of the world's oldest petrochemicals consultancies—Tecnon OrbiChem (now ResourceWise)—in London, UK.
As the new millennium approached, that relatively small event became the Asia Chlor-Alkali Conference. It was later renamed the World Chlor-Alkali Conference.
CONFERENCE AGENDA
Day One – 27 June
08.00 Registration & Refreshments
09.00 Welcome speech
09.10 Opening remarks
09.20 Setting the scene: Global chlor-Alkali market overview
An overview of the regional variations seen in chlor-alkali industry trajectories by experts from conference co-organizers ResourceWise and I•C•I•S.
Featuring: ResourceWise senior chemicals consultants Hira Saeed (below right) and Carol Li (below left). UK-based Saeed focuses on US and European markets while Li, who is based in China, monitors Asian caustic soda and chlorine markets.
In a new development as of April 2024, I•C•I•S-driven insight will come from the company's senior editor Chris Barker (below center).
The trio will explore business challenges that are unique to their regions and areas of expertise. Their presentations will show the differences in demand projections for caustic soda and chlorine and changing supply scenarios.
Saeed, Li, and Chou will explore select regions and countries globally, considering key developments and outlining challenges and investment opportunities.
Delegates will have an opportunity to ask each of them direct questions in the panel discussion immediately following their presentations.
Regional Updates
10.10 Changing global trade flows and geopolitical scenarios: Looking at the impacts on US market’s supply and demand framework and PVC
Kelly Cotou, Director PVC, I•C•I•S, will consider how markets have been disrupted by recent events in the world political arena.
10.40 Current Status and Trends of the Chlor-alkali Industry in China
Doris Li, Senior Strategy Expert of the Chlor-Alkali Business Unit of BEFAR Group specializes in strategic development and international business expansion.
Li is also assigned to the China Chlor-Alkali Industry Association, with focus on the research of the global development status and trends of the chlor-alkali industry chain.
11.10 Networking refreshment break
11.40 Caustic soda and PVC: Middle East & Africa
Naiha Pervez, deputy manager of petrochemical analysis, comes from Engro Eximp FZE, an Engro subsidiary trading company formed in 2021.
Pervez will present the current landscape and explore the challenges facing caustic soda and PVC market participants in the Middle East and Africa.
12.10 Developments in India’s chlor-alkali industry
DCM Shriram's VP and Head of Strategy Chemicals Business Ankur Singh (pictured left) will explore what India can offer the chlor-alkali sector.
He will outline India's unique framework for contributing to this sector and consider how the country can create a more balanced caustic soda and chlorine value chain.
12.40 Lunch & networking
14.00 Spotlight on-demand drivers
Given the strong link between caustic soda and chlorine, understanding the big picture of the demand market is critical in supporting business strategies. From alumina market updates and PVC to pulp and paper and the emerging demand driver lithium, the presentations will provide in-depth insight on key milestones and future projections across different demand centers.
14.00 Key trends and future drivers of the alumina market
- A comparative analysis: Caustic soda demand per bauxite quality
- What are the implications of sustainability on alumina demand?
- Looking at key factors critical to the future of alumina market
14.30 Asian PVC markets, a closer look: Global influence and regional changes
I•C•I•S Markets Editor Jonathan Chou considers the global influences and regional changes in chlor-alkali market dynamics
- Key change influencers of PVC supply and demand
- International and regional PVC trade flows and their influence in defining the Asian PVC market
- Exploring how other factors, such as volatile power costs, or policy matters have affected Asia’s PVC post-pandemic market
14.00 Networking refreshment break
15.30 Pulp and paper industry
In the coming years, 70 million tons of new pulp and paper capacity is poised to come onstream.
As businesses prepare, ResourceWise Chief Revenue Officer Matt Elhardt explores the global landscape, innovation, and prospects for growth.
How will changes in core pulp and paper markets—packaging, tissue, and towels—impact the chlor-alkali sector?
16.00 Powering electric vehicles: Caustic soda and future mobility
Alison Saxby is the Research Director at critical minerals and energy transition consultancy Project Blue. She is also an Independent board member at Pensana PLC, a UK-based company which is constructing a mine for magnet metals for electric vehicles (EV) and offshore wind turbines.
This combination helps Saxby draw on her knowledge of critical materials to inform the sustainable transport sector on materials key to its goals.
Saxby will explore how caustic soda can help usher in a sustainable transportation revolution. The critical minerals used in lithium-ion batteries in EVs rely on caustic soda for production processes.
How is demand for caustic soda evolving as the automotive sector transitions to a Net Zero future? This presentation will include:
- The current and future demand for EVs and battery technologies driving the industry
- Production of lithium hydroxide for use in lithium-ion batteries, used in EVs
- Production of critical minerals such as graphite, cobalt and nickel used in Lithium-ion batteries
- Production of rare earths used in wind turbines and magnets for EVs
- Production of alumina to make aluminium—the light-weighting metal for EVs—along with a minor use as battery foils
16.30 Closing remarks followed by a drinks reception
Day TWO – 28 June
09.00 Reconvening remarks
09.10 Key trends shaping the global economy
- Ever-changing geopolitical landscape: Looking at key impacts on trade globally
- Insight into economic recovery: What should we expect?
- A look into the future of the global economy: 2024 and beyond
09.40 Sustainability and the chlor-alkali sector
Technip's Licensing Manager, Marc Manyeres, will spotlight biobased epichlorohydrin production and brine treatment.
His presentation will outline the efficiencies Technip and its customers have achieved through technology and innovation.
Manyeres' presentation will be followed by a panel discussion exploring sustainability and the wider chlor-alkali sector.
10.10 Panel discussion points include:
- Green caustic soda—how can it drive carbon neutrality?
- Powering chlor-alkali production with hydrogen and clean energy: What to expect?
- How is industry contributing to the global drive towards sustainability?
10.40 Mapping opportunity amid uncertainty: Insight into energy and electricity
- Delving deeper into the energy scenario: How is the current landscape changing?
- Impact of changes in the energy sector on electricity
- Asian market perspective: What should we expect?
Lantau Group Managing Director Mike Thomas will map the opportunities presented amid current chlor-alkali sector uncertainties.
Thomas's talk will be a must for chlor-alkali sector market participants eager to find out how the landscape has evolved since ResourceWise (formerly Tecnon OrbiChem) and the Lantau Group collaborated on the groundbreaking study—Benchmarking of the Chlor-Alkali Plants in China—previewed here.
11.10 Networking refreshment break
11.40 Spotlight on supply chains
Managing supply chain effectiveness amid shipping issues and other logistics challenges
- As geopolitical tension changes global trade flows, how are logistics holding up?
- Balancing challenges and opportunities: How the logistics sector is keeping up with the scramble to secure supply
- High energy costs in Europe, global oil price volatility, and other factors that affect logistics costs
12.10 Feedstock in focus
An update on salt markets and an overview of the industry
Gerrit Goedecke, Managing Director at K+S Salt Australia, will outline what the industry needs to know about salt.
- What are the key trends driving the salt industry today?
- How does salt quality affect the chlor-alkali production?
12.40 - 14.00 Chair’s closing remarks followed by lunch
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