Speakers

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

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, Mike 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.

Mike holds a Master of Arts in English Language and Literature from Edinburgh University, UK, and a Master of Business Administration from Kingston University, UK.

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.

Kevin van Balkom Sr. Process Engineer Dynea AS

Kevin van Balkom is Sr. 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.

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 18 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.

Amir Habibi, Ph.D. Research Scientist Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)

Dr. Amir Habibi is a Research Scientist in the Hydrogen Technologies Branch at Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), where he leads research on the integration of low-carbon hydrogen into future energy systems. With over 15 years of experience in reaction engineering and process development, he brings deep expertise in catalytic technologies for emissions reduction, clean hydrogen and the production of alternative fuels.

Over the past seven years, Dr. Habibi has driven innovation in electrolytic hydrogen and synthetic fuels, contributing to technology development in biofuel upgrading, e-methanol synthesis, and nuclear-driven fuels. His work has supported the strategic integration of hydrogen with emerging energy infrastructures.

At CNL, he leads multidisciplinary efforts in process modeling, techno-economic analysis, lifecycle assessment, and infrastructure planning to advance the deployment of hydrogen-enabled energy systems. His work bridges scientific research with real-world applications, helping shape Canada’s clean energy transition.

Erik van der Heijden Business Manager Energy Transition Port of Rotterdam

Erik graduated with a Master of Science in Applied Physics at Delft University of Technology in 2000.

He has worked for 15 years at Siemens/Siemens Energy, mainly in the field of Energy, in several positions in the Netherlands and internationally; he lived and worked for 4 years in the Middle East.

After that Erik has been active as an independent advisor in the Energy sector.

Since 2019, he has been working with the Port of Rotterdam as the Business Manager – Energy Transition. Here he has been instrumental in the strategy and business development supporting the energy transition in the industrial complex of the Port of Rotterdam. In addition to that, he has been setting up new international supply chains for renewable hydrogen and derivatives.

Erik currently lives in The Hague together with his wife and 3 children.

Alexander Higelin Head of New Business Development BASF

After obtaining his PhD in inorganic chemistry, Alexander started his industrial career with a major German energy utility in innovation management. He went on to work as a business
development manager for the high throughput experimentation company – catering to the research needs of global oil and gas industry as well as major chemical companies. Since 2022
he has been heading the new business development for BASF Chemical Catalysts and Adsorbents as well as overseeing the development and commercialization of new catalysts to support the sustainability transformation in the energy and chemical industries.

Kirstin Kettler Global Marketing Director Valenz AG

Kirstin leads the global marketing team at Valenz – the marketing and sales arm for Proman AG who produces methanol in Trinidad and Tobago, the U.S. as well as in Oman. Therefore Valenz/Proman are the second largest methanol supplier globally.

Kirstin is originally from Germany and was educated there in international business. She worked for HELM AG for more than 15 years and was responsible for products like DMF, Polymers and Fiberglass. She joined the J/V of HELM Proman Methanol when it was founded in 2018 and has since been located in Switzerland. In addition to managing the conventional methanol portfolio, Kirstin focuses on developing new markets for methanol in the energy sector together with the Proman development team as well as pushing for blockchain solutions to simplify and digitalize the future.

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’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.

Shoji Matsukawa General Manager, Carbon Neutral Project Department Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc.

After obtaining Ph.D. degree in Chemical Engineering, Shoji joined Mitsubishi Gas Chemical (MGC) in 2003 and has worked on a variety of derivative chemicals of methanol and ammonia such as methacrylates, polyols, high-performance resins etc., in terms of R&D and business development. Since 2024, he has lead the Carbon Neutral Project Department of C1 Chemicals Division, overseeing the development of renewable methanol business throughout the methanol value chain by utilizing the circular carbon methanol platform CARBOPATH^TM that MGC deploys to realize circular economy. The activities range from developing manufacturing projects for renewable methanol to creation of the green chemical market in collaboration with various partners in the value chain.

Pedro Melo Business Development Manager Capwatt, SGPS, S.A

Pedro is a 25 year experienced engineer with expertise across multiple domains and industries, with a strong focus on supply chain management, sustainability, contracts and partnerships management. Throughout his career, has overseen multiple international projects, operations and deals.

Henning Prigge Director Energy and Infrastructure, M&A for Renewable Energy Corporates Capcora GmbH

Henning Prigge has extensive experience in renewable energy, including roles in asset management, project development, and science. He served on the management board of Zürich based InvestInvent AG, overseeing wind farm portfolios, working at PNE AG, supporting the CEO as Executive Assistant, as well as a scientifical employee at Fraunhofer institute for solar energy systems. Since May 2020, Henning has been part of Capcora’s M&A team, managing the Münster office and has successfully closed multiple national and international transactions in the field of Onshore Wind, Solar PV, Corporates, and e-Fuels.

Jussi Rämä Technical Sales Manager P2X Solutions Oy

Jussi Rämä works as a Technical Sales Manager at P2X Solutions Oy. Jussi has recently joined the company and comes from biomethane project developer company, where he worked as Head of Technical Sales Support with the responsibility of techno-commercial topics throughout the biomethane project development cycle.

Before that Jussi was working for Metso mining business in various sales and sales support positions in the field of services, equipment and plant deliveries.

Jussi holds M.Sc. degree in technology from Helsinki University of Technology.

Dr. Fridolin Roth General Manager of the Renewables Division Axpo Solutions AG

Dr. Fridolin Roth worked as General Manager of the Renewables Division at Axpo Solutions AG for almost 10 years. During that time, he headed the Business Development of the Division and took responsibility for the operation of on- and offshore windfarms in various European countries, the construction of a geothermal power plant as well as several M&A projects.

After Axpo adopted Hydrogen as one of its strategic growth fields, Fridolin switched his focus to Business and Project Development in Hydrogen. He always strives to implement new business models and to optimize existing assets with his excellent team and partners.

Fridolin’s interest in Renewable Energy goes back to his youth where he built his first small scale aero-generator from his bicycle and produced Hydrogen on his parent’s kitchen table. He went on to study mathematics, physics and Music before working as a Strategy and Management Consultant in the Energy Sector and later taking operational responsibility at Axpo.

Long Sang, Ph.D. Research Scientist Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL)

Dr. Long Sang obtained his Ph.D. in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering from the Western University, London, Ontario. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the province of Ontario. He currently works as a research scientist in Hydrogen Technologies Branch at CNL. Dr. Sang is the technical lead for many commercial projects related to clean fuel and decarbonization in maritime, including but not limited to: onboard application of methanol, hydrogen, biodiesel and synthetic diesel for Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) vessels, clean fuels infrastructure planning and pathway assessment in Canada, feasibility study of synthetic diesel production in Canada, techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle analysis (LCA) for hydrogen and its derivatives value chain.

Mariana Santos Moreira Thought Leadership Director Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Mariana is the Thought Leadership Director at Chemical Market Analytics, leveraging the full portfolio of CMA’s chemical markets intelligence into informative and thought-provoking insight pieces pertinent to the whole supply chain.
Throughout her chemical market research and analysis career, Mariana served as regional/global SME of a wide breadth of sectors within the chemical industry: Aromatics (Benzene/Styrene and PX/PTA), Chemicals of the Energy Transition (Ammonia, Methanol, Hydrogen), Inorganic Chemicals (Caustic Soda, Bleaching Chemicals, Soda Ash), Polymer Films & Flexible Packaging (inc. Plastics Sustainability taskforces).
Mariana started her career at IHS, having rejoined CMA in 2024. Prior to rejoining CMA, Mariana served as Head of Aromatics, Head of Chemicals of the Energy Transition, and Films & Flexible Packaging Lead Analyst, at Wood Mackenzie.
Mariana holds an MSc in Chemical Engineering from Instituto Superior Tecnico, University of Lisbon.

Christian Schweitzer Managing Director bse Methanol GmbH

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.

Riya Sethi Process Manager Methanol Air Liquide Engineering & Construction

Riya Sethi is Process Manager Methanol in the Syngas & Methanol Product Line at Air Liquide Engineering & Construction, located in Frankfurt am Main in Germany. Her experience covers solution development and early client support for Methanol. Before joining Air Liquide in 2021, she had an eight year career with Topsoe working with different syngas technologies like Methanol, HyCO and Ammonia. She holds B.E. in Chemical Engineering and M.B.A. in Marketing & Operations from Panjab University, India.

Oleksandr Siromakha Head of Sustainable Fuels MB Energy Holding GmbH & Co. KG

Oleksandr Siromakha is the Head of Sustainable Fuels at MB Energy, a leading independent fuel supplier. With over 17 years of expertise in energy trading and logistics, project development, and strategic planning, he is driving MB Energy‘s shift towards CO2-neutral solutions, including e-fuels, advanced biofuels, green hydrogen, and hydrogen derivatives.

Before joining MB Energy, Oleksandr was an Integrated Business Development Manager at the Marquard & Bahls Group, where he focused on strategic corporate growth. He also led the marketing and market analysis department at Oiltanking.

Oleksandr holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Konstanz, where he specialized in climate-related studies, enhancing his understanding of sustainable energy management.

Gabriel Sousa Executive Director for Innovation and Technology Development Altri Group

Gabriel Sousa is an experienced executive director for innovation and technological development at Altri, a leading pulp and paper group in Europe. With over 20 years of industry experience, Gabriel has a strong background in project management, strategic advisory, operational excellence, research and innovation, and business development on the Forest, Pulp and Paper Industry. Gabriel is responsible for developing, managing, and implementing the innovation and R&D strategy for Altri’s pulp business. He focuses on value-added research, innovation, and process improvement projects, while monitoring new and adjacent business opportunities. Gabriel holds a master’s degree in chemical engineering from Porto Engineering University, post-graduation in Pulp Paper Engineering from Univ. Beira Interior and an MBA from Porto Business School

Martin Staley Executive Director, EMEA Acrylates / OXO Alcohols Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Martin Staley is the Executive Director for the Acrylic Acid and OXO Alcohol value chains at Chemical Market Analytics.

Martin Staley joined Chemical Market Analytics in March 2022 and served as the Research and Analysis Director for the Acrylic Acid and OXO Alcohol value chains, which includes Acrylic Acid, the acrylate esters; Butyl acrylate, 2-EH Acrylate, Methyl Acrylate and Ethyl Acrylate and Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP). The closely related chemical, methyl methacrylate (MMA), is also under Martin’s purview, as well as the downstream OXO plasticizer derivatives. These chemicals are covered in the Market Advisory Service reports, published monthly, and the World Analysis reports, published annually.

Martin has over 30 years of chemical industry experience, having recently served as the Regional Vice President for Third Coast International for 14 years. Third Coast is a leading chemical service provider with operations in the Houston area and historic joint ventures in Singapore and Qatar. The company is a leading automotive brake fluid producer, marketer of propylene glycol and a leading contract manufacturing company.

Before Third Coast, Martin spent 17 years in a variety of roles with LyondellBasell with a focus on the Propylene Oxide and derivatives business, including  PO-based glycol ethers, glycols, 1,4-Butanediol and derivatives and C4 specialties.

He also held the Chair of the Glycol Ether sector for the Oxygenated Solvent Producers Association (OSPA), an industry trade body under C.E.F.I.C., helping prepare the industry for the introduction of REACH.

Martin started his chemical industry career in the United Kingdom with what is now Univar.

Martin holds a BSc. Hons. Degree in Biology with subsidiary subjects of Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Portsmouth University.

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).

Nobuhiro Yoshida Chief Engineer, Engineering and Technology Unit Toyo Engineering Corporation

Nobuhiro Yoshida joined Toyo Engineering Corporation in 1999 and brings over twenty years of experience in process engineering. He has played key roles as Lead Process Engineer and Process Manager across projects involving synthesis gas, fertilizer, gas processing, and oil production facilities. In 2015, he was appointed Team Manager of the Gas Chemical Team within the Process System Engineering Division, overseeing synthesis gas and fertilizer operations. His responsibilities expanded in 2020 to include Oil & Gas, leading the Gas Chemical and Oil & Gas Team. Since 2025, he has served as Chief Engineer at the Engineering and Technology Unit, directing process engineering and syngas technology. In response to the global push for carbon neutrality, he has actively contributed to technical sales, feasibility studies, and Pre-FEED and FEED work for blue and green ammonia, as well as green methanol projects.