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.

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'...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.

'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

• 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? 

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.