Speakers | World Methanol Conference

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.

Jorge Palomar Global Hydrogen Development Director Iberdrola

He is responsible for the promotion of Green Hydrogen projects and business development in Iberdrola .He has more than 22 years of experience in the energy sector where he´s experienced on engineering and fuel trading and has previously held different senior positions in the company including being the Head of Global Operations and Trading in Europe and the Head of Corporate PPAS to finally become two years ago the Head of Green Hydrogen Development where he is boosting more than 60 projects in 8 countries that Iberdrola has now under development. By education, he is a Mining Engineer from Universidad Politécnica de Madrid. Has got an International Executive MBA from Universidad Antonio de Nebrija and a Master on Energy Industry Economics from Carlos III University and has taken several leadership senior programs by IMD Business School.

He is also an educator in Masters and postgrades in different universities.

Marc Oliver Gomperts Director Business Development FEV Europe

Marc Oliver Gomperts works at FEV Europe as Director Business Development focusing on international opportunities renewable Energy. Mayor focus of FEV Energy is the WATER concept. WATER stands for WAste To EneRgy. This concept is based on Green Methanol as main Energy Carrier and is a joint venture with several European industrial Partners. As we speak more then 10 locations are considered with more than 300 installations pending to deploy.

Before working at FEV Marck worked in several countries in Europe like the Netherlands, UK, France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany and Spain. Operating as a pioneer, international business developer and team builder, realizing complex solutions in high tech and organizational complex environments.

In Barcelona, Spain initiated 2000 the first steps towards renewable energy mobilizing friends from Seat, Siemens, Samsung, Bosch. He later joined electric vehicle development, manufacturing and distribution for sustainable and last mile transport solutions. At the end 2020 as CTO for Dutch investor in and accelerator of the Electric Vehicle Industry. Supporting business development of ambitious startups and scale ups to grow sustainable, smarter and faster. Since 2022 business team member of FEV Energy building a Team with internal and external experts to create traction in the renewable energy market and industry.

Marc studied Engineering on the Technical University in Delft and Business Administration at IESE in Marc Barcelona and Madrid.

Gerrit Schmitt Naval Architect Mareval AG

Gerrit Schmitt is responsible for strategies and R&D at Mareval AG, an engineering consultancy for the maritime sector. The focus is on implementing new technologies in the organization and execution of projects in the areas of special ships and offshore energy. Previously Mr. Schmitt has worked in the offshore energy business as managing partner of a engineering company designing offshore structures i.e. for HVDC platforms and installation vessels for the wind energy.

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.

Jonas Heydl Vice President Procurement Perstorp Group

Jonas Heydl is Vice President Procurement for the Perstorp Group with more than 25 years of experience from working in the Chemical Industry in a Global Environment. Jonas Heydl is also currently chairman for Chemical Industrial Committee in Sweden and through both roles heavily involved in enabling a sustainable transition for the industry without losing focus on affordability and security of supply.

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.

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.

Riccardo Dutto Chair Roundtable 4 Bankability RLCF Alliance

Over 13 years of experience in the coverage of 30+ major international infrastructure corporate sponsors, 15+ global infrastructure funds with the help of a multi-cultural, highly skilled, international team of (20+) professionals. Euro 30bn of infra loans portfolio managed participating in PPPs, concessions, regulated and contractual infrastructure financing across the globe in the transportation and energy sector. M&A mandates execution on major infrastructure deals in Italy.

Malte Zeretzke Head of R&D Carnival Maritime

Malte Zeretzke is responsible for R&D at Carnival Maritime, the fleet operator of AIDA and Costa. He designs and implements a technology strategy for the fastest possible and at the same time economic decarbonization of the existing and future fleet. The focus is on scouting, evaluating, combining and ultimately testing and applying technologies and alternative fuels for the cruise sector. Previously, Mr. Zeretzke worked for Germanischer Lloyd and DNV for 10 years as a consulting engineer in the field of sustainable technologies and international environmental legislation.

Benedikt Ackerschott Sales Manager MAN Energy Solutions

Benedikt Raphael Ackerschott is Sales Manager for static equipment at MAN Energy Solutions and responsible for MAN DWE^® reactors for chemical applications in the European market. Benedikt Ackerschott holds a degree (Dipl.-Ing.) in mechanical engineering from the RWTH Aachen University with a focus on energy engineering. After first positions in R&D as well as in Product Management in the field of power plant engineering, he joined MAN ES Deggendorf in 2017. Based on his experience and expertise, he is part of the ongoing development of MAN DWE^® Reactors and new build projects with a strong focus on power-to-liquids.

Christian Schweitzer Managing Director BSE Group

Christian Schweitzer, born July 1964 in Aachen, Germany successfully completed his engineering degree at the Fachhochschule Aachen. In addition he obtained a Bachelor in Business Administration at the SGMI St.Gallen. Since 1995, he is acting managing director of the bse brand in the industrial plant construction.

Throughout various ethanol related projects, thermo-chemical and anaerobic gasification were successfully implemented, ultimately building Europe´s largest bioethanol plant at the time of its establishment. In 2008 early experiences in factory planning of bio-methanol production were gained as part of the active business area. Seeking the potential of e-fuels^® by conversion of Carbon Dioxide in 2014 process development and catalyst research in the field of electrical-based methanol production started, which was to lead to BSE’s FlexMethanol^® Process.

Christian Schweitzer is founder and managing director of the bse group and it’s bse Methanol which supplies proprietary process, catalysts and pre-fabricated technical process skids to its clients of the Power-to-Methanol Industry.

Isabella Muscionico Methanol Technology Leader, Syngas Dept. Casale

Ms. Muscionico graduated in Chemical Engineering from Milan Polytechnic in 2009.

She joined Casale in 2009 as Process Engineer in the Syngas Process Department. Today, she is a Methanol Technology Leader, mainly involved in process definition and optimization, steady-state simulation and design of key equipment (reactors, special heat exchangers, etc.).

Piet van den Ouden Global Fuel Excellence Center Senior Manager RINA Netherlands

He is as member of the RINA global decarbonization team in the function of Global Fuel Excellence Center Senior Manager/Business Development Manager working at RINA Netherlands in Rotterdam.  Involved in all kind of projects related to decarbonization of the shipping  sector.

As RINA Marine Consultant give, technical and commercial advices to customers in relation to with their decarbonization goals.

He representative RINA in national and international working groups related to decarbonization of shipping industry.

He followed the education in the process automation with qualification of project management, knowledge of business economics. The combination of technical knowledge and commercial goals.

More than 35 years of experience in different functions and departments, at construction and engineering companies in the power, on- and offshore oil/gas and renewable industry, including over 12 years as independent senior project manager of multidiscipline projects.

Maria del Amo Lopez Market Manager, Licensed Technology Johnson Matthey

Maria holds a Masters Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

She started her career at Air Products under the Engineering Development Programme (EDP), completing many assignments over a 6 year period. This saw her travelling a lot through Europe and the Middle East, costing, designing, commissioning and operating Air Separation Units and HyCO Plants.

Ten years ago, Maria joined Johnson Matthey as a Senior Process Engineer and worked in most licensed technologies, being process lead in some of JM’s most complex technologies.

She also completed a secondment in Green Hydrogen where she supported JM’s manufacturing strategy.

Last February, Maria became Market Manager for Licensed Technologies. For the last year and a half, she has been responsible for analyzing the methanol market and formulating, leading, and delivering the strategy for JM’s methanol technology offer.

Carsten Bührer Head of Technology PNE AG

Carsten Bührer is Head of Technology for PNE AG in Cuxhaven, Germany, a leading provider for clean energy solutions.

In his professional career Mr. Bührer gained in depth and hands on expertise in areas of renewable energy industries, electric utilities, and the metals working sector. He successfully implemented new and high-efficiency technologies and applications.

Based on his experience in multiple technology fields his strength lies in the development of customer-oriented solutions with industrial partners in multinational teams.

He developed and implemented market strategies for extending renewable energies to PtX solutions. Amongst those market driven domestic and export oriented PtX projects and dedicated energy supply concepts for industrial consumer in remote locations

Carsten Bührer holds a Ph.D. in physics with additional expertise in business administration. His priority fields are in new technology applications for industry and power utility systems. In 2009 he was awarded the German Environmental Award.

Tobias Block Head of Strategy and Content eFuel Alliance

Dr. Tobias Block is an industrial engineer and Head of Strategy and Content at the eFuel alliance. He is an all-rounder when it comes to technical, economic and political challenges at the interface between renewable energies and the automotive industry. After studying energy and environmental management at the University of Flensburg he obtained his doctorate on eFuels business models at the University of St. Gallen. Following his studies, he worked for more than five years in the technical development department of AUDI AG. As the success of synthetic fuels depends more on the political framework conditions than on technical solutions, he joined the German Association of the Automotive Industry (Verband der Automobilindustrie e.V.) in the summer of 2018 and coordinated the political activities related to renewable fuels for more than two years – initially in Berlin and later from Brussels.

Jose Luis Moran Director of Integrated Energy Solutions Viridi

PhD in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. More than thirty years of experience in different management positions. At the moment he is the Director of Integrated Energy Solutions at Viridi and Green Enesys where they are developing solutions of Thermal Energy Storage to help industry to reduce their carbon footprint and hydrogen and green-Methanol projects using hybrid PV+Wind plants disconnected from the grid. Right before he was the Director of the Business Unit Solar in Siemens Spain and previously the president of the Spanish branch of Solel, a company dedicated to the development, design and construction of thermoelectric power plants.

Since 1997 he is a part time lecturer of Thermal Engineering and Thermodynamics in the Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering School, at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, and since 2017 is the general coordinator of the Master’s Degree on Marine Renewable Energies Harnessing, mainly focused on wind offshore.

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.

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

Javier Ortiz is the Director for the North and South American Methanol market 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 markets with a primary focus 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 markets in Latin American, directed the QuiMax Latin American consulting service, and was also responsible for polystyrene market research in the Americas.

He holds degrees in Industrial Engineering and a minor in Business Administration from Texas A&M University, US.

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.

Matthew Thoelke Vice President for Olefins and Derivatives in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa 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.

During his time with Chemical Market Analytics (formerly part of IHS Markit base chemicals business), and CMAI, Matthew took a variety of roles across a broad range of product areas. With over 20 years of experience, Matthew acts as the key resource within the business for understanding and insight into the olefins sector of the petrochemical industry, for these key regions, he works closely with the petrochemical, oil and financial industries, bringing support and guidance throughout the petrochemical chain. Current specific responsibilities include the European/Middle East Report Olefins and primary input and support for the World Ethylene and Propylene Analyses.

Previously within CMAI, Mr. Thoelke has worked in both olefins and aromatics consulting in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa with key responsibilities in olefins, but also in aromatics markets. His previous role had a primary focus on butadiene and elastomers, in which subjects he remains a globally recognized industry speaker and expert. His responsibilities included input to the Global Outlook – Feedstocks, Elastomers Report, European Market Report Aromatics, Aromatics Market Report, and taking the lead role in analyzing olefin and derivative markets in support of the long-term planning outlooks in the World Analysis.

Educated at Cambridge University Mr. Thoelke received a BA and MA in Material Sciences before completing a Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (ACDMM).

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.

Remko Koster EMEA C4 & Elastomers Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Remko Koster is the Director for EMEA C4 & Elastomers at Chemical Market Analytics.

After obtaining his Ph.D. in chemistry at the University of Amsterdam, Dr. Koster worked from 2000-2011 at DSM and Sabic in the petrochemical industry in varying roles in R&D, market intelligence, and commercial departments. He was the commercial manager for SABIC in Europe for C4 products, benzene and derivatives, and heavy aromatics. His last role at Sabic was as global market intelligence lead for PP (polypropylene). In 2011, he joined CMAI (now Chemical Market Analytics) as the consultant for PE and PP, before switching to the C4 & Elastomers lead role for EMEA in 2017. Dr. Koster leads the global tire type indices service, is a main contributor to the global C4 olefins & elastomers report, several world analysis services, and is a frequent speaker at conferences. He is an expert in steam cracker products and various polymers and elastomer markets.

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.