Speakers

Araceli Fernandez Head of the Technology Innovation Unit, Energy Technology Policy Division International Energy Agency

Araceli Fernandez has twenty years’ experience working on technology development in the energy field. She currently serves at the International Energy Agency as the Head of the Technology Innovation Unit within the Energy Technology Policy division. Araceli manages all research, analytical and modelling activities on clean energy technologies for end-use sectors
in that Division. She also supervises IEA’s tracking of technology readiness levels of technologies across the energy sector. In her previous role at the IEA, she led the modelling and technology analysis related to the industrial sector in the same division.

Before joining the IEA in 2012, Araceli served in different roles in the Oil & Gas sector including lead positions on process optimization, detailed engineering, new processes licensing and emissions monitoring for refinery and petrochemical projects. Araceli holds a MEng in Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnical University of Valencia (Spain) and a MSc in Process Engineering from Cranfield University (UK).

Nicole Herzog Associate Director, Product Management Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Nicole Herzog is an Associate Director in the Product Management team at Chemical Market Analytics and leads the global Cost Curve portfolio. With a background in field engineering, she collaborates with global experts to translate industry knowledge and econometric models into tailored cost curves grounded in real-world plant operations and adaptive to each chemical market.

Nicole has more than nine years of experience across the chemicals industry, spanning process and production engineering, market analysis, and client-facing research. Previously, as Principal Analyst for the Inorganic Chemicals team, she managed integrated long-term supply and demand forecasting, led bespoke research projects, and presented market insights to clients.

She has also co-authored World Analysis reports covering Chlor-Alkali, Vinyls, Soda Ash, and Isocyanates. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University and a micromasters in data analytics from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

Enrique Cabrera Project Manager E.ON Energy Projects GmbH

Enrique Cabrera is a Project Manager at E.ON Energy Projects GmbH, specializing in the development of integrated energy solutions for energy-intensive industries. He has extensive experience leading projects involving steam and power generation, cogeneration, fuel transition strategies, and industrial decarbonization across Europe.

His current work includes supporting the transformation of major industrial sites through innovative energy infrastructure, helping customers navigate the challenges of competitiveness, energy security, and carbon reduction. Enrique has been closely involved in the evaluation and development of energy solutions for the chemical sector, including large-scale soda ash production facilities.

Drawing on his commercial and technical project management background, he works at the intersection of industry, utilities, and technology providers to deliver practical pathways toward a lower-carbon industrial future.

Sun Lingbo Chairman Shandong Haihua

Mr. Sun Lingbo, Chairman of Shandong Haihua, has driven the group’s green, low‑carbon transition. From 2021 to 2025, it produced 14.89 million tonnes of soda ash, becoming the world’s largest single‑facility ammonia‑soda producer. A $700 million project converts the old ammonia line to the combined‑soda (Hou’s) process, setting a replicable green‑upgrade model. Digital transformation ($9.6 million investment) yields $9 million annual benefits, supported by AI control models, China’s only marine chemical pilot base, and a “one‑water‑eight‑uses” circular economy pilot. Expanding resources, it partners with China Salt for the $3.7 billion Tongliao trona mine in Inner Mongolia, and advances projects in Xinjiang and Qinghai. It pursues a “three‑chain synergy, dual‑base linkage” system, aiming to become a world‑class “chemicals + energy” enterprise.

Mohamad Agung Director of Development PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur

With nearly three decades of experience across Indonesia’s petrochemical, power, mineral, and industrial sectors, Mohamad Agung currently serves as Director of Development at PT Pupuk Kalimantan Timur, a position held since 30 June 2025. Prior to this, he held senior leadership positions at PT Rekayasa Industri, including Senior Vice President of the Business Excellence Center (2025), Senior Vice President of Marketing for Power and Mineral (2021–2025), Project Director overseeing the construction of five storage tanks (2020–2022), and Senior Vice President of Marketing for Petrochemical & Overseas (2019–2021).

This diverse background in marketing strategy, commercial development, and large-scale project delivery gives him broad, cross-industry insight into commodity markets and strategic business growth. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Universitas Indonesia (1996) and completed postgraduate studies in Economics at the same university (2005).

Sameer Rupani Global Chemicals Commercial Vice President Şişecam

Sameer Rupani has served as Global Chemicals Commercial Vice President at Şişecam since March 2026. In this role, he leads commercial strategy for soda ash, chromium chemicals, Oxyvit, and fiberglass, representing about $1.7 billion in annual revenue. His focus is on aligning global teams, strengthening customer partnerships, and improving performance across markets.

Sameer brings more than 30 years of experience in commercial leadership, strategy, and P&L management across global and industrial organizations. Prior to Şişecam, he held executive roles including CEO for Green Chemistry at Minafin Group, Chief Commercial Officer at Solugen, and Senior Vice President at Solvay, where he led growth initiatives and built high-performing teams.

Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Unimin/Sibelco, ANSAC, and Honeywell, gaining experience in sales, marketing, operations, and supply chain. Sameer holds a master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware.​​

Ismail Ceylan CEO, Soda Ash & Derivatives Group CoreX Holding

Ismail Ceylan is currently the CEO of the Soda Ash & Derivatives Group at CoreX Holding, where he leads the Group’s global soda ash and derivatives business and its strategic growth initiatives, including the successful execution of the Qazaq Soda project in Kazakhstan. A Chemical Engineer with over 40 years of experience, he has held senior leadership positions at Şişecam, Eti Soda and Alkim Alkali Chemicals, where he successfully led the development, construction and operation of several large-scale soda ash and chemical production facilities. Throughout his career, he has managed multi-billion-dollar industrial investments, international greenfield projects, modernization programs across Türkiye, Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe, as well as underground natural gas and fuel storage projects. He is widely recognized for his expertise in soda ash technologies, salt solution mining, chemical process engineering and the execution of large-scale industrial projects.

Ricardo Chavez Senior Procurement Manager Albemarle Corporation

Ricardo Chavez is a Senior Procurement Manager for Albemarle Corporation, with responsibility for strategic sourcing activities across North America and Europe. Throughout his career, he has held leadership roles spanning automotive manufacturing, industrial chemicals, and raw materials procurement, providing him with a unique perspective on the evolving relationship between transportation, manufacturing, and global supply chains.

He has extensive experience in industrial minerals, chemicals, and global commodity markets, with a particular focus on supply chain strategy, market analysis, and supplier relationship management.

Ricardo regularly evaluates emerging market trends and their impact on critical raw materials. His work has focused on understanding how the global energy transition is reshaping demand for industrial minerals, including the growing role of soda ash in lithium production and battery supply chains.

Marius Mordal Bakke Vice President and Head of Solar and Storage Research Rystad Energy

Marius Mordal Bakke is Vice President and Head of Solar and Storage Research at Rystad Energy, where he leads the company’s global analysis of the solar PV and energy storage systems (ESS) markets. His work spans manufacturing trends, supply chain dynamics, and technology competitiveness across the clean energy value chain. Marius delivers strategic insights to energy companies, investors, policymakers, and manufacturers navigating a rapidly evolving global energy transition. At Rystad, Marius oversees a research team focused on solar and storage deployment forecasts, global manufacturing capacity, supply-demand modeling, and industrial policy impacts. His analysis frequently addresses high-priority industry issues such as US and EU solar industrial strategies, domestic content requirements, China’s role in the supply chain, and the implications of trade policy and tariffs on procurement and manufacturing decisions.

Purvish Shah Director & Executive Director Gopal Glass Works and Gobind Glass & Industries

Purvish Shah serves as Director and Executive Director of Gopal Glass Works and Gobind Glass & Industries, rising from grassroots roles since 2012. Backed by a B.E. in Production Engineering, an EDII diploma, and executive credentials from IIM Ahmedabad and Bangalore, they also serve as Hon. Secretary of the All India Glass Manufacturers’ Federation (AIGMF). Recognized with the HURUN India and Government of Gujarat Climate Change Awards, they blend industrial innovation with extensive social leadership, serving as a trustee for multiple charitable foundations and President of Shree Khadayata Parishad Yuva Pankh.

Rajesh Kamat Chief Strategy and Projects Officer Tata Chemicals

Rajesh Kamat is currently the Chief Strategy and Projects Officer at Tata Chemicals (TCL), based in Mumbai, India. He is responsible for strategy, identification and implementation of new growth avenues and capital projects execution. Prior to this role he was heading Sales at TCL. Rajesh is a Chemical Engineer and MBA from the top institutes in India. In the initial part of his career, he has worked as a strategy and operations consultant advising many large organisations on their long term growth strategies and helping implement initiatives for competitiveness improvement, mostly in India. Rajesh is also an active member of industry bodies like Alkali Manufacturers Association of India (Executive Committee Member), CII, ICC etc.

Marguerite Morrin Executive Director, Global Soda Ash Service Lead Chemical Market Analytics

Marguerite Morrin is the Executive Director of Global Soda Ash Service Lead at Chemical Market Analytics.

Marguerite Morrin is the Executive Director of Soda Ash Research at Chemical Market Analytics (CMA). Marguerite launched the Global Soda Ash Market Advisory Service (MAS) in 2008. Before launching the soda ash MAS, she held various roles in the Inorganics value chain, including coverage of the European chlor-alkali and vinyls markets, where she helped develop MAS.

Marguerite’s area of focus is the Soda Ash Market Advisory Service. With over 30 years of research experience in the chemicals sector, Marguerite is a key CMA resource for analysis and insights into soda ash markets. She works with the global soda ash team to understand and track soda ash market developments, and to provide CMA clients with insight and critical analytics that facilitate decision-making. Marguerite also organizes the CMA annual World Soda Ash Conference.

Marguerite holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from University College Dublin, Ireland and a postgraduate diploma in Business Studies from UCD Smurfit Business School, Dublin. She is currently based out of the London office.

Denny Sabah Head of Business Development Clarksons

Denny Sabah is Head of Business Development at Clarksons, the world’s largest shipbroker.

For the first 10 years of his career, Sabah was a mining research analyst and trading strategist. During this time, he had seats on the statistics committees of the International Chrome Association and the International Manganese Institute. He joined Clarksons in 2015 as a freight analyst, before setting up their Business Development function. Following a two-year stint working for a major Canadian shipowner, CSL, running their business development and diversification drive, he returned to Clarksons in 2023 to seek out new clients and new commercial opportunities for the dry cargo department.

Sabah has an Economics degree from the Universities of Birmingham and the Sorbonne in Paris, and a Master’s degree in International Politics from the University of London.

Brian Johnson Chief Commercial Officer Nautilus International Holding Corporation

Brian Johnson is Chief Commercial Officer of Nautilus International Holding Corporation, where he leads enterprise-wide commercial strategy, customer experience, and growth initiatives across the company’s portfolio of maritime and logistics businesses. With more than two decades of industry experience, he has built a track record of driving revenue growth, expanding margins, and positioning organizations for long-term success. Since joining Nautilus in 2018, he has led national mergers and acquisitions efforts, strengthened cross-functional alignment, and advanced strategic initiatives focused on diversification and resilience. Prior to Nautilus, Brian held senior business development roles with Ceres Terminals and Metropolitan Stevedore Company, where he delivered significant commercial growth, improved profitability, and negotiated complex long-term agreements across cargo and cruise operations. He holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

Alex Strogen Chief Commercial Officer Port Of Vancouver USA

Alex Strogen is based in Vancouver, Washington and serves as Chief Commercial Officer at the Port of Vancouver USA, where he leads maritime marketing strategy, marine cargo development, industrial recruitment, customer service, and relationship-building to promote the port and domestic and international trade. He relocated to Vancouver in 2018 from Greenville, South Carolina, where he served as Senior Global Category Leader for GE Global Operations, managing global ocean transport sourcing and port operations.

Alex previously held leadership roles with American Roll-On Roll-Off Carrier in Dubai and Houston, and earlier worked with APL and Maersk Line in business development and port terminal operations roles across the Middle East and the U.S. He has more than 25 years of maritime industry experience, holds a B.S. in Maritime Business from Texas A&M University at Galveston, and has completed executive education at the Kings Point Federal Maritime Academy.

Cristian Triana Principal Research Analyst Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Cristian Triana joined Chemical Market Analytics in September 2023. He focuses on caustic soda and potassium hydroxide market discovery and analysis in the expansive EMEA region, employing rigorous assessment and industry expertise to drive insights.

Cristian Triana conducts market research through direct and indirect client interactions, delivering presentations, and assessing market dynamics for caustic soda and KOH in Southern Europe, Turkey, and Africa. He manages the World Analysis responsibilities, econometrics, and supply/demand dynamics and develops unique analytical approaches that benefit clients.

For almost seven years, Cristian held the position of Senior Applications Engineer within the Energy and Chemicals Business Unit at Siemens Digital Industries Software. In this capacity, he provided technical guidance and solutions to clients throughout the EMEA region, assisting them in crafting robust flowsheet simulations. These simulations were designed to boost profitability, lower energy usage, and address gas emissions, in line with Net Zero objectives.

Dr. Triana earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from The National University of Colombia, followed by a Master’s degree focusing on ethanol production. He then pursued a PhD at University College London, specializing in the simulation and optimization of ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass using computer-aided process engineering tools such as gPROMS Process.

Harry Chapman Senior Analyst, Soda Ash Chemical Market Analytics

Harry Chapman is the Senior Analyst on the Soda Ash team as part of the Inorganics team. Since joining the company in 2024, he has provided continuous support for soda ash research and analytics.

Harry focuses on market research, regularly contributing updates and analysis of market changes for all regions of the world along the soda ash chain. His contributions extend to authoring sections of the Global Soda Ash Monthly report and supplement and ensuring clients receive up-to-date and in-depth insight into the industry. 

Prior to joining Chemical Market Analytics, Harry gained more than a year and half of valuable industrial experience post-graduation. During this time, he worked for Wychem, a division of Ascensus Specialties, where he played a pivotal role in the production of fine chemicals for pharmaceutical, electronics and specialized applications.

Mr. Chapman holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of East Anglia. He is currently based out of the London office.

Sanjay Shah Executive Director, Consulting Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Sanjay Shah is an Executive Director of the consulting team at Chemical Market Analytics (by OPIS, a Dow Jones Company).

Sanjay is responsible for leading project execution, guiding market and commercial analytics assignments, and building and developing consulting teams. He has around 25 years of experience in bespoke consulting in chemical, petrochemical, refining and energy sectors gained through a range of functional and management roles with Worley Consulting and Mott MacDonald.

With a strong record of delivering business and project performance and developing consulting teams, Sanjay’s consulting experience is primarily focused on the chemical and petrochemical sectors with an emphasis on market/pricing analysis, commercial, strategy, M&A due diligence and financial analysis carried out through single client studies for corporates, governments, investors, financial institutions and multi-lateral agencies in the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.

Sanjay’s experience in the market, pricing and commercial analysis include developing integrated market supply-demand and pricing models and comprehensive financial and economic scenario models covering a wide range of commodity chemicals, petrochemicals (including steam cracker, PDH, MTO/MTP plants), refineries, GTL plants and gas distribution projects.

Before consulting, Sanjay gained a strong industrial and technical background through his experience in R&D, production, and marketing in a large chemical manufacturing unit. He holds a postgraduate degree in organic chemistry and business administration and is a certified management consultant.

Sanjay is based in London, United Kingdom.

Stefano Cassano Corporate Director of Production Materials Purchasing and Chairman of Circular Economy Verallia and FEVE

Stefano Cassano is the  Corporate Director of Production Materials Purchasing at Verallia and also serves as the Chairman of Circular Economy at FEVE. 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).

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

Rock Bian is the Associate Director of the China Soda Ash Research and Analysis at Chemical Market Analytics.

With over 20 years of experience, Rock is an essential resource within the business for understanding and insights into the soda ash sector of the inorganic chemical industry.

Rock works closely with the soda ash industry in China, providing support and guidance throughout the product chain. His focus includes oversight of the mainland Chinese section of soda ash reports and primary input and insight for the world soda ash analyses.

Rock has over 20 years of experience in chemical industries. He started his career as an engineer and project manager for a leading chemical engineering design institute in China. He supported and handled various engineering, design and construction projects in China and Tanzania. Rock also has extensive experience in soda ash and hydrogen peroxide with Solvay and FMC (now Genesis) and successfully led the development of a greenfield hydrogen peroxide plant. Before joining Chemical Market Analytics, 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 of Chemical Engineering degree from Zhengzhou Engineering College and a Master of Business Administration from Nanjing University.

Carlo Barrasa Vice President, Head of Research, Dow Jones Energy Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Carlo Barrasa is the Head of Research at Dow Jones Energy

Carlo leads Dow Jones Energy’s research department, which provides clients with advisory and analysis on the markets for energy, chemicals, minerals, power and resources. Prior to this role, he stewarded the development of energy market content to help Dow Jones Energy’s 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. Prior to joining Dow Jones Energy, 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 then held senior consulting and research positions at IHS Markit legacy companies PFC Energy and CMAI. Carlo holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering and a master’s in business administration, both from the University of Texas at Austin.

Hasan Copur Director, Global Soda Ash Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS

Hasan is the Associate Director of the Soda Ash team at Chemical Market Analytics.

Hasan is an associate director within the inorganics team and has expertise in the global Soda Ash Market Advisory Service. Over 15 years in commercial roles, Hasan has gained international experience in the chemical industry, holding various sales and business management positions. He engaged in diverse sectors, using inorganic chemicals as raw materials, and helped build a portfolio of global clients.

During his time with the company, he has provided market coverage of the soda ash market in each region of the world, offering insight and intelligence across the soda ash value chain, with a particular focus on Europe and the Indian subcontinent.

Hasan spent over 10 years with Sisecam, a global glass and soda ash manufacturer, managing international sales activities for its chemicals group across multiple locations. He spent four years in China, leading the regional business. Prior to joining in 2021, he spent 3 years trading in the UK, overseeing a range of basic chemicals and metals in international markets.

Hasan holds a Bachelor’s in Economics from Istanbul University and an MBA from Yeditepe University. He joined the company in 2021 and resides in London, UK.