8:45 - 9:30

Registration and networking areas open

09:30 - 09:35

Conference producer’s address

Shyla Bector

Conference Producer

Argus

09:35 - 09:45

Chairperson’s introduction and opening remarks

Future of bitumen in Asia

09:45 - 10:15

Implications of changing crude slates and expectations for the refining sector

- Balancing crude prices and fluctuating margins on refined products — are Asian refiners’ strategies shifting?
- What do changing refiner strategies mean for heavier distillates, especially fuel oil?
- Macroeconomic shifts: What are the expected headwinds and how will geopolitical tensions and financial volatility affect the oil and gas industry?

Vandana Hari

Chief Executive

Vanda Insights

10:15 - 10:45

Bitumen in Asia — a supply and demand analysis through to 2027

- How have inter-regional trade flows between the Middle East, south Asia, northeast Asia, southeast Asia and Australasia changed over the past year?
- What does the future hold for bitumen in Asia at a time of sanctions, recession and capacity closures?
- What can we expect in the next 12 months in terms of supply and demand fundamentals and pricing impacts?

Irina Vinogradova

Senior Manager - Consulting

Argus

10:45 - 11:30

Morning refreshments

Answering the big question - can China’s recovery turn the market around?

11:30 - 12:00

China bitumen focus — on the road to recovery

- With major road and highway projects now going ahead, what are the demand expectations going forward?
- How are Chinese refineries navigating crude and feedstock variability alongside tightening regulations to maintain profitability?
- Looking forward, how will the future of refining and road paving in China evolve with an increased focus on sustainability?

Sungmin Lee

Deputy Managing Director, Star Energy

Moderator

12:00 - 12:20

Case study — transforming past challenges into learning experiences for the bitumen market

- What is the size of this new opportunity?
- What are the expectations for Chambroad’s production and what are the plans currently in place for these products?
- What can we expect from Chinese demand in the coming years?

Tony Wu

Sales Manager

Chambroad (Hainan) Advanced Material

12:20 - 14:00

Networking lunch

14:00 - 14:05

Chairperson's address

Bohan Loh

Editorial Manager

Argus

A look at the growth potential of southeast Asia

14:05 - 14:40

Panel discussion - Brightspots in Southeast Asia

- What is the estimated bitumen demand in Indonesia and Vietnam to achieve its road connectivity targets?
- With the construction of a new capital city in Indonesia, what opportunities and challenges does this present for the bitumen industry?
- Expectations for Vietnam’s bitumen imports and paving industry — can the economic benefits of climate action convince the Vietnamese road industry to tackle emissions amid rising costs?

Speakers Include:

Indra Rikanda, B. Bus

Chief Executive

PT. Kiprah Multi Sarana

Vo Dai Tu

Chief of Research & Development Department

BMT Construction Investment Joint Stock Company

14:40 - 15:10

Speed Networking

- A structured speed networking session to provide delegates with an introduction to people from across the industry.
- After the speed networking exercise, delegates will be encouraged to continue conversations with their new, and old, contacts during the coffee break before the next session.

Moderator:

Elsie Chen

VP LPG Conferences & APAC

Argus

15:10 - 15:50

Afternoon Break

Decarbonisation through a supply chain lens

15:50 - 16:05

Fireside chat: Exploring regional logistic strategies – how is changing demand in the bitumen market necessitating a shift in regional logistics options?

- As the bitumen market moves from drums to containerised and bulk solutions, how can logistics providers support and ensure security of supply?

Jon Whittall

Managing Director

TEC Container Solutions

16:05 - 16:25

Deep dive into carbon — how can the bitumen community leverage carbon credits to manage ESG considerations?

- A key look at the voluntary carbon markets and the role they play in corporate net zero goals
- Carbon offsets versus carbon credits — what are they and how do they work?
- Looking ahead — how is Asia developing as an ecosystem for carbon services?

Tony Zhang

Head of Carbon Management and Energy Transition

Gaffney Cline

16:25 - 17:00

Panel discussion: Falling short — will Asia catch up in the use of sustainable bitumen products and technologies that reduce environmental impact?

- What are the drivers, opportunities and restraining factors in Asia?
- Bio-bitumen – what are the expectations?
- A glimpse into the life cycle of bitumen and its capabilities for carbon capture and storage
- What are the challenges related to the production, performance and durability of plastic-modified asphalt?
- What are the new innovations in the field, and how does Polymer Modified Bitumen (PMB) affect quality and price points in paving?
- How are market leaders addressing the overwhelming fear of leaching? Are we solving one problem by creating another problem?

Speakers Include:

Leticia Parra Rodriguez

General Manager

Sustainable Road Solutions

Prateek Jhajharia

Managing Director

Madhusudan Organics Pvt. Ltd.

17:00 - 19:00

Evening reception at Marina Bay Sands (open to all conference attendees)

08:30 - 09:30

Morning refreshments and networking areas open

09:30 - 09:40

Chairperson’s remarks

Leanne Tan

Associate Editor

Argus

Argus Regional Market Spotlight - Middle East, Europe, India

09:40 - 10:20

Bitumen becomes a global commodity: Changing trade flows create new arbitrage opportunities

- Bitumen’s relationship with crude and fuel oil has become more volatile in an uncertain geopolitical backdrop.
- How European bitumen exports compete for new markets with Asia-Pacific and Mideast Gulf supplies.
- Changes to supply and demand in Europe and how this impacts bitumen prices and export opportunities.
- Focus on African markets and the trends that are driving the need for more imports.
- A look at changing cargo flows and an update on the bitumen vessel fleet.

Speakers Include:

Jonathan Weston

Editor, Speciality Products

Argus

Tom Woodlock

Market Reporter

Argus

10:20 - 10:35

Argus insights – an overview of the Middle Eastern and Indian markets

Sathya Narayanan

Senior Reporter

Argus

10:35 - 11:15

Networking break

European and Middle Eastern trade flows

11:15 - 11:20

Chairperson's address

Sathya Narayanan

Senior Reporter

Argus

11:00 - 12:00

Bitumen flows from the Middle East to Asia — where are the arbitrage opportunities and how can storage dynamics support these trade flows?

- How will developments in the region’s refining sector affect its products balances and bitumen supply?
- What are the challenges and opportunities for trade within the region?
- How do you develop supply chains and product portfolios that will help you prepare for an uncertain future, considering increasing climate-related commercial risks?

Speakers Include:

Tarique Kamal

Chief Executive

Petrozo Energy

Alp Lutfi

Director of Commercial

DIO Trading Company

12:00 - 12:40

Price versus quality – a quick look at India’s bitumen imports

- Delve into the quality and price factors and understand what drives buyers’ decision-making processes
- How is government policy in India impacting bitumen trade and reputation?
- Changing road and climate conditions – how do these factors impact demand for different penetration grades?

Speakers Include:

Prateek Jhajharia

Managing Director

Madhusudan Organics Pvt. Ltd.

Capt. Allen Pinto

Director of Shipping Operations & Head of Bulk Bitumen (M.East, India, Africa)

Richmond Mercantile Ltd

Free Networking Session

12:40 - 14:30

Networking lunch

14:30 - 15:00

Free networking session

An opportunity to ask speakers their burning questions, discuss the sessions and foster valuable interactions with industry professionals. A perfect opportunity to talk business and learn more!