Edgar Ahn Chief Innovation Officer BDI

Edgar Ahn, Chief Innovation Officer at BDI, studied process engineering (specializing in chemical plant engineering) at the Graz University of Technology and obtained his doctorate in 1997 in the field of reaction kinetics investigation of biodiesel production. After working as a university assistant at Graz University of Technology for several years, he became head of R&D at BDI. In 1998/99, he completed the international export management-training program of the European Commission in Tokyo, Japan. After his return, he was in charge of the R&D department at BDI until 2005 and became Head of Technical Sales in 2006. In 2008, EA was promoted to Head of Innovation Management at BDI and was thus responsible for the overall management of the R&D activities within the BDI Group. EA has been responsible for innovation management for the entire BDI Group (BDI Holding GmbH) as Chief Innovation Officer (CIO) since August 2018.

Kevin van Balkom Process Engineer Licensing and Projects Dynea AS

Kevin van Balkom is Process Engineer working with licensing of formaldehyde technology at the Licensing and Projects department of Dynea AS. Kevin van Balkom holds a degree [MSc.] in chemical engineering from Eindhoven University of Technology with a focus on multi-scale modelling of multiphase flows. Dynea is a leader in the European wood adhesives market with a broad portfolio of adhesives for the wood processing industries. Dynea licenses the silver catalyst formaldehyde process, both for new formaldehyde plants as well as revamps.

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.

Shreya Kansara Principal Analyst Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Shreya Kansara is a Senior Research Analyst with the Syngas team at Chemical Market Analytics. 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, publication of the Weekly and Monthly reports, and the World Analysis. Before taking on her current role in 2018, she worked as a business analyst for the President of a prominent Chemicals company in India. She holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Mumbai, India.

Remko Koster Executive Director, EMEA C4 Olefins Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Remko Koster is the Executive Director for C4 olefins and derivatives in Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Chemical Market Analytics.. During his time with the company, he has taken various roles across a broad range of product areas. With over 20 years of experience, Remko is a key resource within the business for understanding and insight into the C4 and derivatives sector of the petrochemical industry. Within the EMEA region, he works closely with the petrochemical, oil and tire industries, bringing support and guidance throughout the petrochemical chain. His current area of focus includes oversight of the ‘Global Tire Type Indices Report’, primary input and insight for the ‘Global C4 Olefins & Elastomers Report’, as well as for the World Butadiene, MTBE, Rubber, and Butylenes analyses. His prior experience includes more than ten years of industrial experience with SABIC, including commercial responsibilities for C4 streams and aromatics and as a global market intelligence leader for polypropylene. Remko joined our company in 2011 as a polyethylene and polypropylene consultant for EMEA, contributing to the ‘Global Plastics & Polymers Report service’ and for World Polyethylene and Polypropylene Analysis. Remko Koster has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

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 Ma'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.

Mike Nash Vice President, Global Syngas Team Lead | Americas Acetyls Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Mr. Mike Nash is the Vice President for Syngas Chemicals (including the methanol and acetyls practices) at Chemical Market Analytics. He works with a global team of regional consultants and overlays their analyses with a global perspective. His responsibilities include the weekly World Methanol Report and monthly World Methanol Analysis, including the weekly and monthly Global Acetyls Market Reports and the related World Analyses for Methanol, Acetyls, and Formaldehyde. Before joining the IHS Markit base chemicals business (now known as Chemical Market Analytics) in September 2012, Mr. Nash worked for BP's petrochemicals division for 19 years preceding a two-year stint in Total's UK fuels business. He performed various commercial roles within BP, in international business management, marketing, project management, and logistics, based in London, Duesseldorf, and Kuala Lumpur. His last role in the Total UK was the Logistics Director for Specialties. Mr. Nash holds a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from Edinburgh University, UK, and a Master of Business Administration from Kingston University, UK.

Javier Ortiz Director, North & South America Methanol Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Javier Ortiz is the Director of the North and South American methanol market at Chemical Market Analytics. Javier Ortiz is the North and South American methanol market director at Chemical Market Analytics. As of 2019, Mr. Ortiz leads methanol market coverage in the Americas. He began his consulting career at CMAI (Chemical Market Associates, Inc.), in 2007 as a research analyst for the North and South American synthetic fibers market, primarily focusing on the polyester and nylon supply chains. He was subsequently appointed global leader of CMAI’s senior research analyst group while taking over consulting coverage of the nylon raw materials markets in the Americas. Before joining the IHS Markit base chemicals business (now known as Chemical Market Analytics) Methanol team, Mr. Ortiz formed part of its Plastics group for nearly a decade, where he led coverage of the polyolefins market in Latin American, directed the QuiMax Latin American consulting service, and was also responsible for polystyrene market research in the Americas. He holds a degree in industrial engineering and a minor in business administration from Texas A&M University, US.

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 Master of Arts in Material Sciences from Cambridge University, as well as a Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (ACDMM).

Frankie Ugboma CEO Dimeta

Frankie Ugboma is the CEO of Dimeta, responsible for developing and implementing Dimeta's mission: advancing the production of Renewable & Recycled Carbon DME to accelerate the LPG Industry's transition to Net Zero. With a solid commitment to sustainability, Frankie has been at the forefront of driving positive change in the energy sector. Before Dimeta, he led the successful development of energy infrastructure projects across public and private sectors working with SHV Energy, Islington Council, ENI, EDF & Fortis Bank. He also launched the world's first waste heat network, connecting the London Underground to 1,500 customers. Under his leadership, the renewable ESCO customer base grew exponentially, reaching nearly 4,000 customers. He also played a pivotal role in developing the 450 million EUR Malta LNG-to-power project. Additionally, Frankie serves as the Chair of the International DME Association, and he is a member of the Industry Council for the World LPG Association.

Aarnoud van Weelderen Senior Managing Director Macquarie Group

Aarnoud van Weelderen is a Senior Managing Director of Macquarie Group within the Commodities and Global Markets business.  He is a member of the Group’s Energy Transition Steering Committee. Aarnoud manages origination, structuring and engagements across physical oil, products and renewable fuels (methanol, ammonia, renewable diesel, SAF) for the Americas.  He is a physical and financial energy professional deploying Macquarie’s A+ rated balance sheet across the Americas in physical (supply, offtake, logistics), financial (hedging) and capital (debt) strategies to help governments and companies develop, optimize and protect their assets, creating value for stakeholders and opportunities for their local communities. Prior to joining the Group in 2018, Aarnoud worked in similar roles with JPMorgan’s Global Commodities Group and Goldman Sachs Commodities Group across their offices in New York, Chicago and Calgary.  Aarnoud earned a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business.