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26th World Chlor-alkali Conference: History & Agenda

26th World Chlor-alkali Conference: History & Agenda

In just a few weeks, Tecnon OrbiChem and partner I•C•I•S co-host their 26th World Chlor-Alkali Conference in Singapore. Our founder Charles Fryer remembers the event's inception, and explains how this unique partnership began.

When we began running our own chlor-alkali conferences in London, Tecnon OrbiChem still went by its original name Tecnon UK. Our first was in 1980, or thereabouts, recalls Fryer – who will open the conference on 15 June.

These were the world’s first market-oriented chlor-alkali conferences... And back then they happened in London – every three years not annually – so we’d held a handful by the early 1990s when European Chemical News (ECN) award-winning editor Mary Heathcote and Tecnon OrbiChem got talking.

Arguably the leading weekly business publication for the global chemical industry at the time, ECN – then part of the publishing giant Reed International – branched out into Asia. Keen to corner that continent’s chemicals information markets too, Reed sent its star editor Heathcote to Singapore to lay the foundations.


'...Joint ventures are intrinsically unstable, and yet ours has endured for more than a quarter of century thanks to good will on both sides...'

Tecnon OrbiChem founder Charles Fryer 


With her lead, the Asian Chemical News (ACN) emerged, swiftly followed by Heathcote's suggestion that Tecnon OrbiChem bring the event to Singapore, Fryer adds. The conference, therefore, began as a joint venture between Tecnon OrbiChem – with Fryer at its helm – and ACN under Heathcote.

Enter our new partner left stage

Reed acquired I•C•I•S in 1994, in fact just around the time that the parent company began to questions its Asian venture. But, still enthused by its Tecnon OrbiChem partnership, Reed suggested that  I•C•I•S fill ACN’s shoes. ‘That explains how we came to do the Asian Chlor-Alkali Conference in Singapore,’ Fryer explains.

‘Joint ventures are intrinsically unstable,’ says Charles ‘And yet the Tecnon OrbiChem/ I•C•I•S partnership has endured for more than a quarter of century thanks to good will on both sides.

‘With this history behind us, and with our delegates coming for all quarters of the world, it was time to emphasise that we were offering a unique global forum for the vital chlor-alkali chemicals industry subsector.

Headshots of the ResourceWise experts taking the podium at the 26th World Chlor-alkali Conference.

'So, we renamed it the World Chlor-Alkali Conference… At that point, what began as Tecnon OrbiChem’s modest London event and matured into the Asia Chlor-Alkali Conference evolved even further to what it is today.

'This year, as we come together again following the four-year pandemic-related hiatus, we intend to fortify our world class standing and – as its title says – help set our industry’s participants on paths to an optimistic future in the face of challenges.

'We look forward to seeing you at the InterContinental, Singapore on the 15 & 16 of June 2023,' Fryer adds.

Unravel complex chemicals supply chain dynamics with interactive datasets & engaging visualisation

Besides Fryer, Bann and Chu, Tecnon OrbiChem's global sales manager Matteo Baldi and marketing specialist Jane Denny are attending the event.

Baldi is offering 30-minute time slots to all delegates. If you want to schedule a chat with him to learn about our services, or watch a demo of our chemicals sector data analytics platform OrbiChem360, simply schedule a session using the button below. 

Denny, meanwhile, will be on hand to assist and answer any questions you might have, conference-related or not. She will be at the registration stand as the conference begins and available at the Tecnon OrbiChem stand in the Grand Ballroom Foyer during other times. 


CONFERENCE AGENDA 

Day One - 15 June

 
       08.00 Registration & Refreshments 
 
       09.00 Welcome speech
 
       09.10 Opening remarks Charles Fryer
 
 
09.20 An in-depth discussion on the global economy –  Oxford Economics lead economist Louise Loo
  • Global economy roundup: Looking at the 12-month trend
  • Disruptors: Continued stress on recession, geopolitical concerns, & regional differences
  • Examining the challenges connecting the world today
  • Looking at short- & long-term changes: What are the key trends to watch out for?

 

10.00 New normal: What shapes the global chlor-alkali market today? Charles Fryer

  • How has the market changed in the past 12 months?
  • A balancing act: Insight into caustic soda & chlorine globally
  • What lies ahead: Looking at future trends considering market disruptors & growth prospects

         10.40 Networking refreshment break
 
 
 
11.15 US Chlor-alkali market: Changes & challenges  Tecnon OrbiChem business manager William Bann
  • Current state of play between chlorine & caustic soda demand
  • Insight into capacity changes in the US: What are the drivers?
  • Protecting competitive position amid economic turbulence & trade flow changes 
 
11.45 Outlook for European ChlorVinyls  Inovyn business manager Alistair Croall
  • Future supply & demand – a balanced market
  • Sustainability & the regulatory environment 

 

12.15 The regulatory environment & the chlor-alkali industry –

Chlorine Institute VP health, environment, safety & security Robyn Brooks

  • Truck transportation regulations
  • Government focus on energy intensity & greenhouse gas reduction
  • By-product hydrogen – evolving decisions of national governments on how it should 'count' in sustainability efforts
  • Pending US asbestos regulation & its effect on chlorine production operation'

      12.45 Lunch & networking

 

14.00 Developments of the chlor-alkali markets in Southeast Asia

        Chlorine & Alkali, Southeast Asia Division AGC General Manager Hiroyuki Kaneko

  • Supply outlook & new capacities in the region
  • Spotlight on alumina: Drivers of demand in the region
  • Insight on nickel demand & electric vehicle development in China
  • Growth prospects in Southeast Asia: What should we expect? 
     
     14.30 Networking refreshment break
 
 
14.30 A closer look at the Asian PVC markets: Global influence & regional changes
 
        Jonathan Chou, I•C•I•S markets editor &  I•C•I•S principal consultant Regan Hartnell
  • Key change influencers of PVC supply & demand
  • International & regional PVC trade flows & their influence in defining the Asian PVC market
  • Exploring how other factors, such as volatile power costs or policy matters affect Asia’s PVC post-pandemic market
  • Insight into PVC margins & price drivers
  • PVC compared with other polymers
  • Long-term outlook: supply & demand
 
     15.20 Networking refreshment break
 
 

15.50 Developing dynamics in China: How would they change the global trade? –

         China National Chemical Information Center ceo Peter Huang

  • Steady supply, increasing demand: Looking at the caustic soda dynamics
  • Chlorine market in focus: Demand scenarios, challenges, & the impact of zero covid policy
  • New source of demand: Spotlight on lithium battery market

 

16.20 Rapid growth of the Indian chlor-alkali markets –

        Alkali Manufacturers Association of India president Kapil Malhotra

  • Would India completely move from net importer to exporter in the chlor-alkali markets?
  • Sectors driving consumption in India: How has it changed in recent years & what are the projections?
  • Outlook on short- & long-term growth prospects

 

16.50 Examining developments in the alumina market  CM Group director Alan Clark

  • What drives new investments in the alumina market?
  • The changing grades of bauxite & its impact on caustic soda requirements
  • Growth prospects & future trends

     17.20 Chair’s closing remarks followed by drinks reception

 

Day TWO - 16 June

 

      09.00 Chair’s reconvening remarks

 


09.10 Insight into the shipping industry & its effects on the caustic soda market

         Kpler senior analyst Senthuran Raviraj 

  • Key caustic soda seaborne flows & how they are transported
  • Tanker fundamentals & its effects on freight rates
  • Future legislation & its impacts on the markets

 

09.40 Pulp & Paper markets: Growth, challenges & future trends

          Fisher International senior consultant Amy Chu

  • The drive against climate change & how it is changing the demand for pulp & paper products
  • Innovation in pulp & paper production
  • Insight into growth drivers globally

 

10.10 Breaking the chlor-alkali supply chain paradigm through small scale production

         Chlorum Solutions president & co-founder Daniel Croce

  • Benefits of small-scale production to customers, environment, the community
  • Who is this solution ideal for?: Water treatment & isolated industrial sites
  • Understanding site layout & assessing footprint needed
  • Case study: Project success stories

     10.40 Networking refreshment break

 

11.10 Keeping the world moving amid hurdles in logistics & supply chains

         Royal Haskoning DHV associate director Melissa Charn

  • Geopolitical tension is changing global trade flows, how is the logistics sector coping up?
  • Insight into long distance shipping of liquid chemicals & solid caustic soda in containers
  • Balancing challenges & opportunities: How the logistics sector is keeping up with the scramble to secure supply

 

12.00 Sustainability in chlor-alkali  

         Ineos Electrochemical Solutions (IES) business development manager Bruce Li

As the world ramps up its response to the climate emergency, we look at what part the chlor-alkali industry has to play. An exploration encompassing both in its contribution to meeting sustainable development goals, & its impact on carbon emissions.

What action is the chlor-alkali industry taking to address this issue? What are the key areas for improvement/change? Li's presentation seeks to highlight the challenge, and open the question of how IES can support its customers in achieving their sustainability goals. 

 

12.20 Technology-focus Q&A:


         Nuberg Engineering general manager, marketing Arun Tyagi
         Ineos Electrochemical Solutions business development manager Bruce Li

 

          12.30 - 14.00 Chair’s closing remarks followed by lunch

 

You can still register to attend the 26th World Chlor-Alkali Conference here.