Welcome day and reception at the OverEasy Restaurant
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- 16:00
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- 17:00
- Registration opens
- 17:00
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- 19:00
- Welcome reception Join us for a pre-conference drink reception to meet new faces, reconnect with industry peers and build strong partnerships with market participants from across the bitumen and roads value chain.
Conference day 1
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- 08:45
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- 09:30
- Registration and networking areas open
- 09:30
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- 09:35
- Conference producer’s address Shyla Bector - Conference Producer, Argus
- 09:35
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- 09:45
- Chairperson’s introduction and opening remarks
Future of bitumen in Asia
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- 09:45
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- 10:15
- Implications of changing crude slates and expectations for the refining sector Vandana Hari - Chief Executive, Vanda Insights
- 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?
- 10:15
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- 10:45
- Bitumen in Asia — a supply and demand analysis through to 2027 Irina Vinogradova - Senior Manager Consulting, Argus
- 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?
- 10:45
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- 11:30
- Morning refreshments
Answering the big question - can China’s recovery turn the market around?
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- 11:30
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- 12:00
- China bitumen focus — on the road to recovery Hua Jing - Managing Director, Star Energy Singapore
- 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?
- 12:00
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- 12:20
- Case study — transforming past challenges into learning experiences for the bitumen market Tony Wu - Sales Manager, Chambroad (Hainan) Advanced Material Co
- 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?
- 12:20
- -
- 14:00
- Networking lunch
A look at the growth potential of southeast Asia
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- 14:05
- -
- 14:20
- Fireside chat - Brightspots in Southeast Asia
- 14:20
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- 14:40
- An Indonesian importer’s perspective – navigating price volatility and the bottom line Indra Rikanda, B. Bus - Chief Executive, PT. Kiprah Multi Sarana
- What are the current challenges and as we approach the 2024 presidential elections, how optimistic are we on the commencement of road projects that will drive up bitumen demand?
- Finding new life for bitumen drums in Indonesia – from fences to building materials
- Moving from drums to bulk business – what lies ahead?
- 14:40
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- 15:10
- Speed Networking Moderator: Leanne Tan - Editor, Argus
- 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.
- 15:10
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- 15:50
- Afternoon Break
Decarbonisation through a supply chain lens
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End
- 15:50
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- 16:05
- TEC Session Jon Whittall - Managing Director, TEC Container Solutions
- As the bitumen market moves from drums to containerised and bulk solutions, how can logistics providers support and ensure security of supply?
- 16:05
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- 16:25
- Deep dive into carbon — how can the bitumen community leverage carbon credits to manage ESG considerations? Tony Zhang - Head of Carbon Management and Energy Transition, Gaffney Cline
- 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?
- 16:25
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- 17:00
- Panel discussion: Falling short — will Asia catch up in the use of sustainable bitumen products and technologies that reduce environmental impact? Leticia Parra Rodríguez - General Manager, Sustainable Road Solutions
- 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?
- 17:00
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- 19:00
- Evening reception at Marina Bay Sands (open to all conference attendees)
Unwind with colleagues old and new at the official conference networking reception at Marina Bay Sands, which opens into the Garden Walk, an outdoor terrace that offers stunning views of Singapore’s spectacular city skyline.
Conference day 2
Start
End
- 09:30
- -
- 09:40
- Chairperson’s remarks Leanne Tan - Editor, Argus
European and Middle Eastern trade flows
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End
- 09:40
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- 10:10
- Bitumen becomes a global commodity: Changing trade flows create new arbitrage opportunities Jonathan Weston & Tom Woodlock - Editor, Argus & Market Reporter, Argus
- 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.
- 10:10
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- 10:50
- Bitumen flows from the Middle East to Asia — where are the arbitrage opportunities and how can storage dynamics support these trade flows? Tarique Kamal and Alp Lufi - Chief Executive, Petrozo Energy and Director of Commercial, D.I.O.
- 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?
- 10:50
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- 11:30
- Networking break
- 11:30
- -
- 11:45
- FIRESIDE CHAT: A deep dive – looking at India’s evolving use of modified bitumen Himanshu Agarwal - Chief Operating Officer, Zydex Industries Pvt Ltd
- What are the new technologies being used to adapt to changing environmental circumstances?
- What is the outlook for PMB technologies in bitumen – and who’s leading this movement?
- What is the role of plastics and polymers in pavements – what’s in store for India’s future?
- 11:45
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- 12:30
- Price versus quality – a quick look at India’s Iraqi bitumen imports Sipan Sedeek & Allen Pinto - Vice-President, Business Development, Majd Al-Iraq & Captain, Director of Shipping Operations and Head of Bulk Bitumen, Richmond Mercantile
- 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?
Innovation Feature — managing carbon reduction in paving
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End
- 12:30
- -
- 12:45
- The rush to put plastic waste into paving — is this the magic bullet for the plastic crisis?
- 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?
- 12:45
- -
- 14:30
- Networking lunch
- 14:30
- -
- 17:00
- Free networking session Light refreshments will remain available throughout the afternoon, giving attendees 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!