World Soda Ash Day 2

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Session Details

World Soda Ash Day 2

Thursday, 12 October
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Session 5: Developments in Soda Ash & Prospects for Glass

Hazel Kreuz, Vice President, Global Inorganics, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS 
Rock Bian, Associate Director, China, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
This speaker will provide a detailed overview of soda ash capacities in China, capacities at risk, and new capacities on the horizon.
Rajesh Khosla, CEO, AGI Greenpac Ltd
Moderator: Hazel Kreuz, Vice President, Global Inorganics, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Make new connections or join familiar faces during this dedicated break. Sessions to resume at 1110.

Session 6: Market Impacts

Ahmed El Monayri Osh, Chairman, Arabian Monayri
The present study and presentation analyzes the demand and supply of the Egyptian soda ash market size. The presentation will tackle the Egyptian soda ash’s main suppliers, consumers, and its most important sectors. This presentation will also demonstrate the Egyptian future view and the logistical regional view with the assumption that after a period of 7 to 8 years the Turkish supplies from Turkey will decrease significantly. Furthermore, the presentation will tackle the difficulties of the existing foreign currency shortage and the increasing inflation rate. Additionally, the study will take forward the expectations of having a soda ash factory in Egypt. Last but not least, the presentation will address the impact of the Russian-Ukrainian war which fills the market with Russian soda ash.
Arthur English, CEO, G2 Ocean AS
International freight costs continue to be key factors for global soda ash buyers and sellers. Trade wars, COVID-19, deglobalization, geopolitical conflict, and recession turned freight markets upside down in recent years and deoptimized traditional trade flows and transportation lanes. Traffic patterns have changed dramatically, and vessels have become more difficult to source at the right place, at the right time, and at the right price. Hear from experts on the “new normal” for dry bulk and container shipping and where soda ash freight will go from here.
Moderator: Hasan Copur, Associate Director, Soda Ash, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS 
 

Session 7: Market Drivers

Marika Tiihonen, Technology Manager, Lithium, Metso Oyj
The presentation outlines the Metso Lithium Process, a proprietary technology for hardrock / spodumene refining into battery grade lithium chemicals: lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide monohydrate. The process is based in a direct leaching of minerals in an autoclave by soda ash for effective lithium extraction. The recent development and forecasts for lithium chemicals demand will be reviewed. The role of chemical reagents especially soda ash in lithium production will be discussed as well.
Stefano Cassano, Director of Production Materials Purchasing, Verallia
Cullet is an important component of container glass production cost optimization, and it also contributes to environmental sustainability initiatives. What developments are underway in Europe to support the availability of this valuable raw material? This speaker will discuss the European cullet market dynamics.
Moderator: Hazel Kreuz, Vice President, Global Inorganics, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Make new connections or join familiar faces during this dedicated break. Sessions to resume at 1530.

Session 8: Market Drivers

Hasan Copur, Associate Director, Soda Ash, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Recently, sodium bicarbonate has become a key driver for soda ash demand growth. Environmental demand applications, such as flue gas treatment, present a promising future for sodium bicarbonate demand growth. This speaker will discuss emerging sodium bicarbonate demand growth opportunities, as well as the outlook for global supply and demand evolution in legacy sodium bicarbonate end uses including food, feed, and pharmaceutical applications.
Ana Lopez, Director for Chlor-alkali & Vinyls, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
In this knowledge transfer session, Ms. Lopez will share the different sources for obtaining sodium sulfate and how this impacts the costs of producers globally. Additionally, a detailed market outlook will be presented, sharing expectations for future sources of supply and their potential impact on market prices.
Moderator: Hazel Kreuz, Vice President, Global Inorganics, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Session Speakers

Rock Bain Associate Director China, Soda Ash Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Rock Bian joined the Inorganics group as an Associate Director China in May 2022. He supports the soda ash service in China and also bleach chemicals. He started his career as engineer and project manager in a leading Chinese chemical engineering design institute. He supported and led various engineering, design and construction projects in China and in Tanzania, Africa. After that he took a commercial role in the Suez group, where he joined as a key member in the formation of new company dedicated to providing environment protection services for chemical plants in China. Rock has also had extensive experience in both soda ash and hydrogen peroxide with both Solvay and FMC (now Genesis) and successfully led the development of a greenfield hydrogen plant. Prior to joining us, Rock had a role in strategic planning and business development for Sinochem International, where he led market research for new business opportunities and planned the subsequent relevant venture developments. Rock holds a bachelor degree of chemical engineering from Zhengzhou Engineering College and a MBA from Nanjing University.

Stefano Cassano Director of Production Materials Purchasing Verallia

Stefano Cassano is the Director of Production Materials Purchasing at Verailla. He was born in Milan, Italy and holds a Master’s degree in Engineering from Milan Polytechnic. Stefano has over 30 years of experience including previously as Purchasing manager for Saint Gobain Delegation in Italy, Greece, Egypt & Turkey. Stefano then moved to several Responsibilities in Saint Gobain Packaging, Paris headquarter. From 2017, Global Purchasing Director for production materials purchasing in Verallia Company. Notably, from January 2019, in charge of global soda ash and cullet strategies worldwide. In parallel, from July 2019, Chairman of Circular Economy Group in FEVE (European Federation of glass packaging producers).

Hasan Copur Associate Director, Global Soda Ash Chemical Market Analytics

Hasan is the Associate Director of the Soda Ash team at Chemical Market Analytics. Hasan is currently working within the Chlor-Alkali/Vinyls Team with a focus on global Soda Ash Market Advisory Services. Over 15 years in commercial roles, Hasan has acquired international experience in the chemicals industry, while holding various sales and business management roles. He engaged in diverse sectors using inorganic chemicals as raw materials and helped develop a portfolio of global clients. Hasan spent over 10 years with Sisecam, a global glass, and soda ash manufacturer, in its multiple locations managing international sales activities for their chromium chemicals. He spent 4 years in China, leading the regional business. Prior to joining IHS Markit base chemical (now known as Chemical Market Analytics) in 2021, he spent 3 years working in trading, overseeing a range of basic chemicals and metals in the international markets.

Rajesh Khosla CEO AGI Greenpac Ltd.

Mr. Khosla is the CEO of Limited AGI Greenpac, a leading packaging products company in India. With a strong focus on innovation and a relentless drive for performance, he has transformed AGI Greenpac into a leading provider of cutting-edge packaging product solutions across various industries. Mr. Khosla's strategic approach has encompassed a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing employee development, inspiring a culture of innovation, driving financial analysis, improving operational efficiencies, and exploring new markets through the expansion into specialty glass. His relentless focus on these areas has yielded significant results and positioned the company for continued growth. He has been instrumental in identifying and developing the strengths of various functions that have induced micro-cultures within departments that has catalysed overall business efficiency. A keen and farsighted strategist, his experience of Joint Ventures, anti-dumping duty & market development ensures that AGI Greenpac continues to evolve as a sustainability-oriented, innovative manufacturer of glass containers, pet bottles & products, security closures, and other allied packaging products. With over 32 years of experience, Mr. Khosla has held various in organisations aimed at developing industrial capacity. His experience spans domains such as international businesses, business strategy, mining operations, and marketing. Prior to AGI Greenpac, he served as the President Director and CEO at PT Jindal Stainless, Indonesia. His experience in the nickel and glass industry has seen him author many success stories such as Nippon (NSSC) steel & the world’s biggest cooperative FAGOR. He actively collaborates with industry stakeholders, participating in industry forums and associations to advocate for advancements in packaging technology and sustainable practices. Through these collaborative efforts, he contributes to the overall growth and development of the packaging industry in India. He is the Current Chairman of EFSI for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh Region, serves as the Senior Vice President of All India Glass Manufacturing Association, is an elected member of CII State Council & Co-Convenor for Manufacturing Competitiveness Panel, and is also a Regional Executive member of Indian Institute of Packaging. Mr. Khosla holds a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy from Punjab Engineering College and a Master’s of Business Administration degree from B.K. School of Professional and Management Studies. Keen to stay abreast of new developments in management and business, he has completed numerous advanced courses from IIM-Ahmedabad.

Hazel Kreuz Vice President, Global Inorganics Team Lead Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Hazel Kreuz serves as the Vice President of Global Inorganic Chemicals at Chemical Market Analytics, which includes Chlor-alkali chemicals, Vinyls, Bleaching Chemicals, and Soda Ash. Ms. Kreuz brings four decades of chemical industry experience to the Chemical Market Analytics Inorganic chemicals insights team. She joined the IHS Markit base chemicals business (now known as Chemical Market Analytics) in 2016 as Chlor-alkali Chemicals Global Service Lead. Ms. Kreuz was promoted to her current role leading the Global Inorganic chemicals insights team in April 2019. She leads twenty analysts that analyze, forecast, and report on chlor-alkali chemicals, vinyls, bleaching chemicals, and soda ash from five global locations. Ms. Kreuz has a background in petrochemicals and inorganic chemicals; she held a range of functional roles in several companies prior to joining Chemical Market Analytics. Hazel began her career in ethylene oxide and glycols manufacturing with Union Carbide Corporation; she also held ethylene oxide derivatives, HS&E, risk analysis, financial analysis, and marketing management positions with Union Carbide. She was a recipient of Union Carbide Corporation's prestigious Chairman's Award for the development of the Corporations' Episodic Risk Management System, which Arthur D. Little praised as "elegant and sophisticated". Hazel moved to the inorganic chemicals world joining Canadian Occidental, which subsequently became Nexen Petroleum, and then Canexus, where she held management positions in chlor-alkali chemicals and sodium chlorate marketing, strategic planning, and investor relations. She returned to the US chemical market, joining Huntsman Corporation and serving as global marketing manager for mining chemicals, pulp & paper chemicals, and water treatment chemicals in the Performance Products division. Hazel holds a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering and an MBA.  

Ana Lopez Director, Americas Vinyls Research Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Ana Lopez is the Director for Chlor-alkali & vinyls at Chemical Market Analytics. Since 2012, Mrs. Lopez has formed part of the inorganics team at IHS Markit Base Chemicals business (now known as Chemical Market Analytics), specializing her analysis on the vinyls markets in North America and South America, as well as the chlorine and hydrochloric acid markets in the US.  Recently she started coverage for the sodium sulphate global market.  She contributes to the monthly reports on those topics and has presented on several occasions at the Global Chlor-Alkali & Vinyls Conference, Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association meetings, Vinyls Compounders Conference and Global Plastics Summit. She has an intimate knowledge of engineering project execution as well as petrochemical commodities markets. Prior to joining Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS, Mrs. Lopez spent several years with Pemex International Trading Company (PMI) in Mexico City, dealing with petrochemical commodities commercial operations as well as market analysis, preceded by a few years with the EPC company ICA Fluor Daniel. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the Iberoamericana University, Mexico City, and an MBA from Instituto Tecnologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM), Mexico City.

Marguerite Morrin Executive Director, Global Soda Ash Chemical Market Analytics

Marguerite Morrin is the Executive Director at Chemical Market Analytics. Marguerite has covered all chlor-alkali, vinyls, and related products in the chemicals industry. Her primary focus today is on soda ash. She has also participated in many single-client consulting studies on soda ash and chlor-alkali/vinyls. Ms. Morrin was responsible for launching the Global Soda Ash Service in 2008 and she is the lead consultant in soda ash, who presents many conference papers on the subject. She joined Chemical Market Associates Inc. (CMAI) in 1990, initially as an analyst in olefins. Since 1994 she was involved in the analysis of the chlor-alkali product area and helped to build and develop this sector within CMAI, which later became part of IHS Markit base chemicals business (now known as Chemical Market Analytics). Ms. Morrin graduated from University College Dublin, the Republic of Ireland, with a Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in Chemistry and she also holds a Diploma in Business Studies from University College Dublin.  

Ahmed El Monayri Osh Chairman Arabian Monayri

Ahmed Elmonayri serves as the Chairman of Arabian Monayri for Industry Shipping and Trade in Egypt, Chairman of Arabian Monayri Locks and Metal Factory in Egypt, Chairman of Horus Shipping and Transport S.A.E in Egypt, Chairman of Manuchar for Chemicals Distribution in Egypt, General Manager of AMO for General Trade located in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Regarding education I graduated from Faculty of Engineering in Cairo in the year 1987. I also worked as an employee and trainee in shipping and logistics German companies from the year 1988 till the year 1992, I am the founder of Horus Shipping and Transport company in the year 1992, founder of Arabian Monayri Company in the year 2006, and has entered the Trading, Shipping and Logistics businesses from the year 1992 up until presentally. These include commodities such as Soda Ash, Steel, Cement, Feed Materials, and Chemicals. However, recently have been focusing on the Soda Ash and the chemicals in particular. I was able to flourish in the Egyptian business market, by combining trade abilities and logistical business skills. I also succeeded in achieving the highest market share as an importer and distributor in the soda importing market in Egypt. Regarding my goals, I aspire to establish a Soda Ash factory in Egypt, establish a partnership with a highly established Soda company, with the know-how of the soda market. Furthermore, Provide logistical solutions to the future of the bulk Soda coming from the USA regionally.

Marika Tiihonen Technology Manager, Lithium in Hydrometallurgy Business Line Metso Oyj

Marika Tiihonen is Technology Manager - Lithium in Hydrometallurgy Business line of Metso Oyj, Finland. She is M.Sc in Chemical Engineering from Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland. She has more than 20 years’ background in hydrometallurgy. Her experience is in R&D and process engineering. She has worked as Research Metallurgist/Specialist, Process Manager at hydrometallurgical demonstration plant and Senior Process Engineer for company Outotec / earlier: Outokumpu, Finland. In her current role as a Technology Manager she has responsibilities of e.g. process engineering in lithium refinery projects, sales & marketing support, flowsheet development, R&D and IP’s coordination. She holds several patents and applications in the field of lithium, base metals and gold hydrometallurgy.