2026 Speakers

Brian Newsome Vice President, Global Chlor-alkali Advisory Service Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Brian Newsome is the Vice President of the Global Chlor-alkali advisory service at Chemical Market Analytics (CMA)

Prior to joining Chemical Market Analytics, Brian served in several roles at Westlake Corporation, including as Director of Strategy, Business Manager for Chlorine and Chlorine Derivatives, and Market Manager for Calcium Hypochlorite. He has also worked in commercial and technical roles at Kureha Corporation (Japan), Motorola Semiconductor, and ExxonMobil LNG. Brian has over 17 years of chemical industry experience, including over 13 years of global chlor-alkali and vinyl’s industries experience in marketing, sales and business line management roles. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Ramazan Aslan Founder & CEO Life Climate

Ramazan Aslan is an industrial engineer and the founder and Chief Executive of Life Climate (Life İklim ve Enerji), a leading climate and sustainability consultancy based in Ankara, Türkiye. With over 16 years of experience in voluntary carbon markets and trades, he has advised on emission reduction projects across multiple frameworks, including Gold Standard, VCS, and GCC standards, and has contributed to major capacity-building initiatives such as Worldbank’s PMR Programme for development of MRV and ETS for Türkiye. His expertise spans from supply chain emission management, agricultural decarbonisation with developing Türkiye’s first Soil Carbon Project, and industrial decarbonisation with RED III compliant bio-oil and circulat product certification.

Esin Çınar Sustainability Director Aygaz

Esin Çınar is the Sustainability Director at Aygaz, where she established the company’s sustainability department from the ground up. She leads the strategic transition from fossil fuels to green energy, focusing on investments and preparing for CBAM requirements. Prior to this, she held a Commercial Operations Director role where she created the logistics brand Sendeo (an Aygaz and Koç Holding Company). Esin holds an EMBA from Koç University and completed executive programs at Stanford, Harvard, and Berkeley.

Didi Bostock Consultant Benchmark Mineral Intelligence

Didi brings a wealth of experience from across all research departments at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, spanning downstream demand through to the midstream and mining sectors. He has advised on consulting projects worth millions of dollars for both government bodies and private companies, delivering expertise across strategic advisory and debt financing.

Roberto Vagheggi General Manager, Esseco Industrial S.p.A. CEO, Altair Chemical s.r.l.

Born in 1966, Roberto Vagheggi holds a degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Florence. After gaining both national and international experience with major chemical companies, in 2009 he was entrusted with the task of rescuing Altair Chimica in Saline di Volterra. He was reconfirmed as CEO even after the acquisition by Esseco, becoming the first external manager in the history of the family-owned group. He later acquired and revitalized the Pieve Vergonte site in Piedmont, leading to the creation of what is now Altair Chemical. Since December 2021, he has been General Manager of Esseco Industrial, the industrial holding of Esseco Group, ranked among the top 100 performing companies in Italy.

Karl-Martin Schellerer Senior Vice President Europe & Asia Chlorovinyls Westlake Germany GmbH & Co. KG

Dr. Karl-Martin Schellerer is the Senior Vice President Europe & Asia Chlorovinyls within Westlake. In this role he serves as Managing Director for Westlake Vinnolit and in various European and Asian entities as Director or Board Member.

From November 2015 to July 2017, Dr. Schellerer held the position of Vice President and General Manager Vinnolit. Dr. Schellerer joined Westlake from Dr. Wieselhuber & Partner Consultants GmbH in Munich where he led the competence center for process and plastics industry. Previously, he served in various commercial and corporate managerial roles for Vinnolit since 1997.

Dr. Schellerer holds a Master of Business Administration from the Universities of Augsburg & Pittsburgh (USA) and a doctorate in chemistry (PhD) from the University of Regensburg. He is also serving in several honorary posts including: Chairman of the ECVM Board,  Chairman of the VinylPlus Board, Member of the PlasticsEurope Steering Board, Member of the VBCI Economic Policy Committee (Bavarian Chemical Industry Association) and Member of vbw District Group Board (Bavarian Industry Association).

Damián Gumpel Strategic Advisor & Global Chemical Industry Executive DG Insights LLC

Damian Gumpel is a business executive with over 15 years of experience leading global chemical enterprises. He currently serves as a strategic advisor to companies and C-suite leaders to drive value creation through operational transformation and portfolio optimization.

Throughout his career, Damian has managed $2B to $4B P&Ls across sectors including chlor-alkali, chlorine derivatives, epoxy resins and systems, and titanium dioxide. He has
experience in corporate and business strategy development & execution, organizational restructuring, and commercial turnarounds.

Damian holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Igor van der Hel Vice President Caustic Soda & Derivatives Business Vynova Group

Igor van der Hel leads the Caustic Soda & Derivatives business activities of Vynova, a leading European chlor-alkali and PVC company. Prior to joining Vynova, he held several leadership positions across the chemical and industrial sectors. He started his career in operational and technical roles at various chlor-alkali production sites.

As his career progressed, Igor transitioned into commercial and strategic functions, taking on responsibilities in business development, key account management, and regional market expansion. Later on, Igor advanced into broader business management responsibilities, overseeing product portfolios, supply chain integration, and margin optimization across international markets. In his current role at Vynova, he oversees the full caustic soda and derivatives value chain.

Igor holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands).

Stefan Karrenbrock Senior Director Business Development and Sales CA thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA

Stefan completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering at RWTH Aachen and began his career at Uhde in 1995 as a Process Engineer. He progressed through various roles in Process and Sales, including Sales activities in Mexico from 2013 to 2017. After joining thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers in September 2017, Stefan became Head of Sales Chlor-Alkali in October 2020 and, since October 2023, he has managed the Global Sales activities in the Chlor-Alkali sector. Leveraging his extensive background, Stefan drives strategic Business Development and Sales for Chlor-Alkali, focusing on generating regional order intake, maintaining market leadership, and overseeing proposal and contract activities.
Since October 2024 he holds the position of Senior Director Business Development and Sales Chlor-Alkali for thyssenkrupp nucera. He is married and has three children.

Beatriz Lima Associate Director, South American Chlor-alkali Markets Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Beatriz Lima is the Associate Director for the South American Chlor-alkali and Bleaching Chemicals markets. With over six years of experience in market intelligence and research in the petrochemical industry, she has held both LATAM and global roles at Dow Chemical. Her experience involved cross-market responsibilities, including the analysis of market trends, and social, economic, and political drivers across various segments such as plastics & packaging, personal & home care, coatings & construction, and industrial solutions.

Ms. Lima currently focuses on the South American region, conducting market discovery, research, analysis, and reporting on the chlorine and caustic soda markets within the chlor-alkali chemicals sector. In addition, she covers hydrogen peroxide and sodium chlorate within the bleaching chemicals segment. She works closely with clients across the region and the financial sector, providing support and guidance on the chemical industry value chain.

Beatriz holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of São Paulo and joined Chemical Market Analytics in 2025, expanding the specialist’s presence in South America as a Brazilian citizen based in São Paulo.

Nick Kovics Vice President, Global Chemical Research Lead & Inorganic Chemicals Team Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Nick Kovics is the Vice President of the Global Inorganics team at Chemical Market Analytics.

Nick Kovics serves in dual leadership roles at Chemical Market Analytics, where he is Vice President and Head of Chemical Research as well as the Inorganic Chemicals Team Lead. He brings over 25 years of global experience in the chemical industry to the organization.

Nick was promoted to Head of Chemical Research in 2025 and now oversees the Plastics & Polymers, Aromatics & Fibers, Olefins, Inorganic Chemicals, and Syngas value chains. Prior to this role, he held several leadership positions within Chemical Market Analytics’ Inorganics practice, including responsibility for the Chlor-alkali, Bleaching Chemicals, and Battery Materials advisory services.

Before joining Chemical Market Analytics, Nick held various technical, commercial, and financial roles across the broader chemical and energy sectors. He began his career as a Process engineer in the chlor-alkali sector at Canadian Occidental, then moved into the energy industry with Schlumberger Canada as a field engineer in cementing and hydraulic fracturing Services. He later transitioned into the emerging hydrogen fuel cell sector, spending a decade in technical, commercial, and corporate finance roles. Nick subsequently returned to the Electrochemical industry with Canexus (now Chemtrade Logistics), where he held commercial leadership positions in chlor-alkali and sodium chlorate marketing.

Originally from Canada, Nick holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from Simon Fraser University. He is both a Canadian Professional Engineer and a Canadian Chartered Professional Accountant. Nick has lived in Houston, Texas, since joining Chemical Market Analytics in 2017.

Humberto J. Rocha Associate Director of Climate and Carbon Markets OPIS a Dow Jones Company

Humberto J. Rocha is the Associate Director of Climate and Carbon Markets based in London, focusing on the carbon compliance markets in the European Union and the United Kingdom and the growing voluntary biodiversity credit market. A journalist with nearly a decade of experience, Humberto primarily focuses on covering the dynamics of the compliance carbon markets in Europe. He covers daily and weekly price assessments, conducts webinars and writes features ranging from the gulf between the U.K. and EU carbon prices and the potential linkage between these two carbon markets. Additionally, he covers policy developments and pricing trends in the voluntary biodiversity credit market from projects around the world.

Humberto joined OPIS in the summer of 2022 after covering energy policy and federal and state legal cases in the United States for Law360 at the news agency’s Houston and London offices. He has also worked in international outlets including Japan’s The Yomiuri Shimbun, local news at Hearst Connecticut Media, and Forbes. Humberto speaks fluent Spanish and French and has a bachelor’s degree in Social Studies with a focus on Latin America from Harvard University and a master’s degree in Latin American studies from the University of Oxford.

Craig Murphy, PhD Director, Global Bleaching Chemicals Service Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Dr. Craig Murphy is the Director of Global Bleaching Chemicals Service at Chemical Market Analytics.

Craig Murphy serves as the Global Service Lead for Bleaching Chemicals. With extensive experience in the chemistries of oil and gas development, pulp and paper, chlor-alkali, and advanced manufacturing, Craig is a pivotal resource within the business for managing and developing chemical market intelligence.

In addition to spearheading the global bleaching team, Craig also provides regional market coverage for hydrochloric acid, and pulp and paper. With global responsibilities, he collaborates closely with clients across all regions as well as the financial sector to offer support and guidance on the inorganics chain.

Craig brings expertise across various industries and markets. He previously served as a technical expert in chlor-alkali applications for oil and gas at Canexus Corporation, helping clients succeed in the O&G industry. He honed his oil and gas proficiency while developing hydraulic fracturing fluid systems for the global service provider Calfrac Well Services. As the Director of Product Development at Cascades, Craig played a key role in developing new products for vinyl construction materials.

Dr. Murphy holds a PhD in Chemistry from McGill University, where he conducted research on oxidative processes in the pulp and paper industry. Later, he earned an MBA from the University of Calgary, focusing on logistics and supply chain management.

Ana Lopez Director, Americas Vinyls and Global Sodium Sulfate Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Ana Lopez is the Director of Americas Vinyls and Global Sodium Sulfate at Chemical Market Analytics.

Ana Lopez is the Americas Director of Vinyls (PVC, VCM, EDC) research at Chemical Market Analytics. In addition, she is responsible for the global market analysis of sodium sulfate. She has held several roles across numerous product areas during her time with the company. With over 25 years of experience, Mrs. Lopez is a key resource within the business for understanding and insight into the chlor-alkali & vinyls sectors of the chemical industry.

Within North America and South America, she works closely with the chlor-alkali and vinyls industries, bringing her experience from the commodity markets. Her current area of focus includes contributions to the ‘Global Vinyls Report as well as primary input and insight for the World Sodium Sulfate and World Vinyls analyses.

Her prior experience includes covering caustic soda, chlorine, and hydrochloric acid. In this role, she contributed to the Global Chlor-Alkali Report and the World Analysis, Chlor-Alkali. Before joining Chemical Market Analytics, Mrs. Lopez spent several years with Pemex International Trading Company (PMI) in Mexico City in petrochemical commercial operations and market analysis, preceded by a few years with the EPC company ICA Fluor Daniel.

Mrs. Lopez has a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Universidad Iberoamericana and a Master of Business Administration from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México, both in Mexico City. She joined Chemical Market Analytics in 2007 and is based in the Houston office.

Carlo Barrasa Vice President, Energy Insights Team Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Carlo Barrasa is the Vice President of Energy Insights at Chemical Market Analytics

In this role, Carlo stewards the development of energy market content to help Chemical Market Analytics’ clients navigate the complexities of the oil, gas & natural gas liquids markets. Previously, Carlo led the North American Light Olefins service, which provides clients with valuable insights into the regional market dynamics of cracker feedstocks, ethylene, and propylene.

Before joining Chemical Market Analytics, Carlo was a Senior Strategy Advisor at Anadarko Petroleum, where he was responsible for guiding the company’s market strategy for its natural gas liquids business. After beginning his career in various downstream and chemical roles with ExxonMobil, Carlo held senior consulting and research positions at IHS Markit legacy companies PFC Energy and CMAI.

Matthew Thoelke Vice President, EMEA Olefins Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Matthew Thoelke is the Vice President for Olefins and Derivatives in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Chemical Market Analytics.

Matthew Thoelke is the vice president of the olefins and derivatives team in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa at Chemical Market Analytics. During his time with the company, he has taken a wide variety of roles across a broad range of product areas. With over 25 years of experience, Matthew is a key resource within the business for understanding and insight into the olefins sector of the petrochemical industry.

Within the EMEA region, he works closely with the petrochemical, oil and financial industries, bringing support and guidance throughout the petrochemical chain. His current area of focus includes oversight of the ‘Europe and the Middle East Olefins Report’ and primary input and insight for the ‘World Ethylene and Propylene Analyses.’

His prior experience includes coverage of butadiene and elastomers, for which he remains a globally recognized industry speaker and expert. Whilst in this role, Mathew was responsible for the ‘Global Outlook — Feedstocks, Elastomers Report’ and the ‘World Butadiene Analysis’ and took the lead role in analyzing olefin and derivative markets in support of the long-term planning outlooks in the World Analysis.

Mr. Thoelke has both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Materials Science from Cambridge University, as well as a Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (ACDMM).

Gordon Kuo Director, APAC Vinyls and India Chlor-Alkali Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Gordon Kuo is the Associate Director of Asia and India Subcontinent Vinyls at Chemical Market Analytics.

Gordon Kuo is the Associate Director of Vinyl Research for Asia and the Indian Subcontinent at Chemical Market Analytics. He specializes in the polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), and ethylene dichloride (EDC) markets in Asia and the Indian subcontinent. He has over 12 years of experience and an in-depth understanding of the vinyls industry.

Within the Asia region, Gordon works closely with chlor-alkali and vinyls industry participants. He provides regional market coverage for Asia and the Indian subcontinent in the Global Vinyls Report. Gordon has in-depth experience and understanding of Asian EDC and VCM trade dynamics and provides strategy analyses for regional vinyls market participants. Additionally, he has experience researching Asian sodium chlorate and hydrogen peroxide while supporting the Global Bleaching Report.

Before joining Chemical Market Analytics, Gordon held multiple roles in USI Group in Taiwan, including salt, ethylene, EDC procurement, VCM sales, VCM and PVC production and operation management, marketing and cost analysis, and integrated vinyls business strategy development.

Mr. Kuo holds a Master’s in Chemical Engineering from the National Taiwan University, China. He joined Chemical Market Analytics in 2019 and is currently based out of the Singapore office.

Angel Fernandez Director, Chlor-Alkali Research EMEA Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Angel Fernandez is the Director of EMEA Chlor-alkali Research at Chemical Market Analytics

Angel Fernandez is the Director of EMEA Chlor-alkali Research at Chemical Market Analytics. Angel joined the Chemical Market Analytics team through the legacy IHS Markit Base chemicals team in 2021. During his time with the company, he has held various roles in the Inorganics value chain, including potassium hydroxide research and analysis and Global Service Leader for bleaching chemicals.

Angel leads the EMEA chlor-alkali team and provides market coverage for European caustic soda in the Global Chlor-alkali Report and Chlor-alkali World Analysis. He works closely with clients in all regions to provide support and guidance on chlor-alkali chemicals.

Angel has over 20 years of experience in trading, shipping, market research and analysis of the chemical industry. He started his career at BP Chemicals, followed by five years at Sojitz UK, where he was involved in the trading and shipping of aromatics, methanol and solvents. Before joining the IHS Markit Base Chemicals business (now known as Chemical Market Analytics), he spent 10 years researching and analyzing the oxo alcohols, plasticizers, and chlor-alkali markets at a market data provider.

Angel holds a Master’s degree in Chemistry and International Relations. He is based out of the London office.

Henry Warren Director, EMEA Vinyls and Middle East Caustic Soda Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Henry Warren is the Director of EMEA Vinyls and Middle East Caustic Soda at Chemical Market Analytics.

Henry Warren is an integral Global Vinyls and Chlor-alkali Market Advisory Service member. Since joining the company in 2001, he has focused on vinyls, from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) through its precursors – ethylene dichloride (EDC) and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). Since early 2024, he also assumed responsibility for caustic soda in the Middle East. During his time at the company, he has held various additional positions, including responsibility for chlorine, hydrochloric acid, chlorinated solvents, TiO2 and caustic potash. Along with the stakeholder relationships he has built over several decades, his in-depth understanding of the industry contributes to the unparalleled insight that Chemical Market Analytics brings to the vinyls and chlor-alkali sector.

Henry provides coverage, analysis and insight into the vinyls value chain in EMEA and caustic soda in the Middle East in the Global Vinyls and Chlor-alkali Reports, respectively. He is also a key contributor to our Vinyls and Chlor-alkali World Analysis services. With a regional and global perspective, he works closely with clients across regions to provide support in relevant areas of the vinyls and chlor-alkali industries.

He entered the field of chemical market analysis in 1996, analyzing feedstocks and several polyolefin value chains in Europe, North America and Latin America.

Mr Warren holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Humberside, UK. He is a native English speaker, fluent in Spanish, proficient in French and resides near Oxford, UK.

Eddie Kok Executive Director, Global Vinyls Service Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Eddie Kok is the Executive Director of Global Vinyls Service Lead at Chemical Market Analytics

Eddie Kok is the Executive Director and Global Service Leader for Chemical Market Analytics (CMA) Global Vinyls Market Advisory Service. During his time with the company, he has held various roles within the Inorganics value chain, including serving as Asia Lead for chlor-alkali and vinyls market coverage. With over 20 years of experience in the chemicals sector, Eddie is a crucial resource within the business for understanding and providing insight into the chlor-alkali and vinyl markets.

Eddie currently focuses on vinyl markets, directing a team of research colleagues worldwide to monitor and understand market developments across the vinyl value chain and to provide CMA clients with insights and critical analytics that facilitate decision-making. Eddie also researches and analyzes Asian KOH markets and works closely with his global Chlor-alkali colleagues to provide an integrated view of the chlor-alkali and vinyls businesses.

Before joining Chemical Market Analytics, Eddie held multiple roles with CCM, a chlor-alkali producer based in Malaysia. His responsibilities at CMM included product portfolio management, production planning and regional sales.

Mr. Kok holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Campbell University, North Carolina, United States. He is currently based out of the Singapore office.