Speakers | World Methanol Conference 2024

Andrei Akzhigitov EMEA Methanol Director Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Andrei Akzhigitov is the Director of the Mathanol at Chemical Market Analytics.

Andrei Akzhigitov is the EMEA Methanol consultant 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 Akzhigitov 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. Mr. Akzhigitov 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.

Simon Hettig Technology Manager - Alternative Fuels Rolls-Royce Power Systems

Simon is Technology Manager – Alternative Fuels at Rolls-Royce Power Systems. With a keen interest in sustainable energy solutions, Simon has become an expert in various
aspects of the alternative fuels industry.

In his current role, Simon oversees the entire value chain for fuel production, with a specific
focus on cutting-edge technologies within the PtX (Power-to-X) ecosystem such as
electrolysis or carbon capture. He plays a pivotal role in shaping Rolls-Royce Power
Systems’ strategy and driving innovation in the field of alternative fuels.

Simon has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration – International Business from
Baden-Wuerttemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW) and a Master of Science in
Energy Management from University of Koblenz – Landau.

Carl Roache Executive Director, Ammonia and Urea Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Carl Roache is the Executive Director of Ammonia and Urea at Chemical Market Analytics.

Carl Roache is the market director of ammonia and urea at Chemical Market Analytics (CMA). He joined the company in 2024 and leads analysis and pricing globally from London, UK.

Before joining CMA, Mr. Roache was EuroChem’s global business development manager for NPK fertilizers, based in Dubai, UAE. From here, he coordinated global NP/NPK sales from the company’s 1.2mn t/yr Antwerp plant. Before this, he was EuroChem’s Asia NPK business development lead, based in Singapore, where he developed and executed an NPK growth strategy, widening commercial territory and facilitating increased sales.

Mr Roache has also worked for price reporting agencies within the fertilizer sector in the UK and Asia, including spells as global nitrogen and potash lead (ICIS) and Europe and Asia regional editorships (Argus Media). He has completed executive strategy, financial analysis, and management training, as well as a first-class honors degree in American and English History from the University of East Anglia, UK.

Mr Roache is an NCTJ/NCE qualified newspaper journalist, starting his career with Northcliffe Media group in the UK.

Norbert Baum Vice President Global Business Development HELM AG

Norbert Baum has over 30 years of experience and is the Vice President of Global Business Development at HELM AG. Before this, Norbert served as the Managing Director for HELM Proman Methanol AG and held various other roles at HELM including global responsibilities for the methanol business as well as ethylene glycols. Prior to joining HELM he had roles at BP Group and VEBA OEL AG.

Norbert has a diploma in Economics, Natural & Applied Wood Science from the University of Hamburg Germany.

Troels Krag Boysen Senior Manager for Sales and Business Development Green Hydrogen Systems

Troels Boysen is Senior Manager for Sales and Business Development in Green Hydrogen Systems, a leading provider of standardised and modular electrolysis equipment for the production of green hydrogen solely based on renewable energy. He is responsible for the X-series product line which is a highly efficient and versatile product ideal for multi-MW or GW scale applications. In his role, Troels works closely together with clients across Europe, MENA, Americas and APAC regions to optimize electrolyser applications on a project portfolio of +5 GW. Troels holds an MSc in economics and prior to joining Green Hydrogen Systems, Troels worked +10 years at the Danish green energy major Ørsted. He holds extensive experience within green power, hydrogen economics and PtX.

Javier Ortiz Director, North & South America Methanol Lead 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.

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, 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).

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.