Global Methanol Fundamentals Workshop

Andrei Akzhigitov Director, EMEA Methanol Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Andrei Akzhigitov is the EMEA Methanol Director for Syngas Chemicals at Chemical Market Analytics.

His responsibilities include the weekly World Methanol Report and monthly World Methanol Analysis,  focusing on the EMEA region.

Before joining Chemical Market Analytics in February 2024, Andrei worked for over 20 years with well-known companies in the chemical sector, such as Evonik, Brenntag, Metafrax, and Sibur. He has a rich history of working on diverse methanol projects, optimizing supply chains, handling trade, spearheading derivative production, and engaging in R&D. His career has led him to work in cities like Moscow, Hanau, and Amman. Andrei has a Master’s in Chemistry from Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia and has also completed a marketing program at Mannheim Business School in Germany.

Maia Dolan Director, Americas Methanol Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Maia Dolan is the Director of Methanol with the Syngas Chemicals Team at Chemical Market Analytics.

Based in New York, Marisabel (Maia) is a Director of Methanol for Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS (CMA), A Dow Jones Company in the Americas. She has more than 19 years of experience in Market Intelligence in the petrochemical industry. She has managed and led teams of research analysts in domestic and international chemical studies involving market research, economic evaluations, technology assessments, and strategic plan development and analysis.

Before joining CMA, Maia worked at S&P Global, delivering strategy, sustainability, and analytics with a focus on plastic recycling and low-carbon production processes. She also worked as a Senior Consultant for NexantECA, authoring industry-leading reports focused on economic, pricing, and technology trends and developments in areas of interest to the chemical
and allied industries.

A Honduran native, Maia received a B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Manhattan University.

Shreya Kansara Principal Analyst Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Shreya Kansara is a Principal Analyst with the Syngas team at Chemical Market Analytics (CMA).

Ms. Kansara is responsible for maintaining and updating the global data files including the econometric models. She also provides support to the team for various analyses, client queries, presentations and the publication of the Weekly and Monthly reports and World Analysis. She also leads the coverage for the India market for Methanol and Acetyls.

Prior to joining IHS Markit’s base chemicals business (now known as Chemical Market Analytics) in 2018, she worked as a business analyst for the president of a prominent chemicals company in India. Ms. Kansara holds a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and an MBA in marketing from the University of Mumbai, India.

James Stevenson Vice President, Power and Resources Dow Jones Energy

James Stevenson leads Power & Resources research at Dow Jones Energy, comprising the teams that cover power, coal, carbon, steel and steel raw materials, and synfuels. Previously he led the research team for Coal, Metals & Mining. Dr. Stevenson’s primary expertise includes supply-demand dynamics of coal, steel, and steel raw materials markets, price forecasting, mining and transportation costs, and export logistics and infrastructure. He also has extensive experience in trading of coal, natural gas, and power, as well as being experienced in M&A, having been a part of a number of asset and offtake deals in the coal supply space.

Prior to joining McCloskey’s predecessor IHS Markit, Dr. Stevenson spent six years in coal and power trading, most recently as Vice President, Coal Analysis at Mercuria Energy Trading, and before that as Coal Strategist at Louis Dreyfus Highbridge Energy. He also worked in the energy trading team at Eraring Energy in the Australian utility industry, working primarily in risk management as well as strategy around coal procurement, power sales, and carbon strategy.

Dr. Stevenson holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Sydney in Australia, and a PhD from Yale University.

Xiaomeng Ma Director, Asia Methanol Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Xiaomeng Ma is the Director of Asia Methanol at Chemical Market Analytics.

Xiaomeng is an experienced researcher with a strong track-record working experience in the industrial sectors spanning from petrochemical markets, and specialty chemical industries to energy and fuel industries. Xiaomeng’s current focuses are on methanol-related industries.

She is skilled in project assessment, building and implementing business strategies, and creating economic models. She has a strong professional background with a Masters in Engineering and a realistic understanding of the opportunities and challenges in the Asia chemical industry.