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.
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.
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.
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
14.30 Asian PVC markets, a closer look: Global influence and regional changes
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?
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.
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:
09.00 Reconvening remarks
09.10 Key trends shaping the global economy
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:
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
12.10 Feedstock in focus
An update on salt markets and an overview of the industry
12.40 - 14.00 Chair’s closing remarks followed by lunch
Register for the event using the button below.