Argus Bitumen & Asphalt Europe Conference

09:00 - 09:50

Welcome breakfast and CEO Roundtable: Closed-door discussion on the impact of the Middle East conflict and wider geopolitical instability on Europe’s bitumen supply chain with Argus experts.

CEO Roundtable: This session is offered as a value‑added, complimentary component for decision‑makers. With heavy‑grade disruptions, freight volatility, refinery strain, and increasing competition for alternative barrels, we believe it is essential to bring together the industry’s top leadership to exchange high‑level insights in a confidential environment.

09:50 - 10:00

Chairperson Opening Remarks – Day One

10:00 - 10:45

Keynote panel and presentation: Addressing challenges across Europe: Consumption, innovation, and quality

- How are European road authorities adapting procurement strategies to meet sustainability targets while maintaining performance standards?
- Low-carbon binders: What breakthroughs in bio-based and alternative binders are gaining traction, and how do they impact lifecycle emissions?
- Energy Transition in Road Construction: How can the sector accelerate decarbonization while balancing cost, durability, and compliance with EU climate goals?

Speakers Include:

Romain Clouzeau

Head of Infrastructure Design Team

Groupe ADP/Paris Aeroport

Katri Eskola

Pavement and Asphalt Expert

Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency

Thor Asbjørn Lunaas

Chief Engineer, Operation and Maintenance

Statens vegvesen/Norwegian Public Roads Administration

Arnaud Wache

Business Development Manager

Continental Bitumen

Jan-Erik Lundmark

Senior Advisor and National Coordinator Pavement Maintenance

Swedish Transport Administration

10:45 - 11:15

Argus annual market trends session

Speakers Include:

Keyvan Hedvat

Europe/Africa Editor, Bitumen

Argus

11:15 - 11:45

Morning coffee and refreshments break

11:45 - 12:15

Refiner’s talk: What strategies will keep bitumen flowing?

- How are recent terminal closures impacting supply security and pricing across Europe?
- What strategies can refiners and buyers adopt to manage volatility and ensure continuity in the coming months?
- What are the biggest risks to supply security in the next 6–12 months?

Speakers Include:

Mihaly Nemeti

Bitumen Sales Manager

SOCAR Petroleum

Deniz Değirmenci

Chief Trading Officer

Guven Asfalt

Olaf Grodotzki

Managing Director

GBS mbH & Co. KG

12:15 - 12:45

Construction zone: What mix designs will dominate in 2026 and beyond?

- How is evolving infrastructure demand shaping specifications for asphalt quality in Europe?
- What innovations in mix design and performance standards can help meet sustainability and durability goals?
- How can producers and contractors collaborate to ensure consistent quality under tightening regulations and cost pressures?

Speakers Include:

Fredrik Norrman

Nordic Bitumen Manager

Skanska

Ovidiu Oprea

Strategy and Development Advisor

VIAROM Construct

José Javier García Pardenilla

Managing Director, Ditecpesa Asphalt Products

Ferrovial

12:45 - 14:00

Lunch and networking break

14:00 - 14:40

Bitumen sustainability in the context of the new Construction Product Regulation

- What are the environmental impacts of bitumen and polymer modified bitumen? What are the decarbonisation levers?
- How will the new Construction Production Regulation affect the declaration of performance for bitumen?
- What will be the future performance-based specifications for bitumen in standardisation?

Speakers Include:

Brice Delaporte

Sustainability Lead

Eurobitume

14:40 - 15:15

Can shipping industry navigate EU ETS costs and supply shocks in the bitumen and asphalt market?

- How will rising EU ETS allowance prices (potentially €80+/tonne CO₂) reshape cross-European voyage economics and chartering strategies?
- What does the influx of newbuild vessels mean for fleet management, compliance, and cost competitiveness in 2026?
- How will supply shortages and sourcing from non-EU origins impact freight rates, tender renewals, and physical demand outlook?

Speakers Include:

Τheocharis Terzis

Director

Queensway Navigation Co. Ltd.

15:15 - 15:55

Evening coffee and refreshments break

15:55 - 16:30

Africa and Middle East: Securing bitumen supply amid infrastructure boom

- What impact are rising container premiums and shipping bottlenecks having on bitumen trade flows?
- Which upcoming infrastructure projects in Africa and the Middle East will reshape demand patterns?
- Where do we see opportunities for investment in storage and blending facilities to support growth?

Speakers Include:

Dhruv Nanda

Trading Manager

Sapco Global

Keyvan Hedvat

Europe/Africa Editor, Bitumen

Argus

Bennie Greyling

Managing Director

Much Asphalt (Pty) Limited

16:30 - 17:15

All eyes on LatAm: How rising supply has changed the Americas asphalt market?

- Rising Venezuelan crude imports to the Gulf coast combined with growing Venezuelan and Colombian asphalt is expected to result in a growing glut of supply.
- What changes has this wrought on the asphalt market and what changes are yet to come? How could global trade flows shift?
- How have the US and LatAm markets responded?

Speakers Include:

Sarah Tucker

Editor

Argus

17:15 - 17:20

Closing Reflections: Key Takeaways from Day One

17:20 - 19:00

Please join us for the evening drinks reception!🥂 ✨

09:30 - 10:10

Morning breakfast and registrations

10:10 - 10:15

Setting the Stage: Day Two Kick-Off

10:15 - 10:40

Crude oil focus: Supply of bitumen-rich crude in the wake of the Mideast war

- How is the war in the Middle East reshaping global crude flows? What does that mean for a bitumen producer?
- What alternatives to Mideast Gulf bitumen-rich grades do refiners have?
- Freight, steep structure, high flat price: Collateral damage to refining economics from the war

Speakers Include:

Lina Bulyk

Deputy Editor

Argus

Asphalt insights

10:40 - 11:10

Argus asphalt report outlook for 2026

Speakers Include:

Irina Vinogradova

Senior Manager - Consulting

Argus

11:10 - 11:45

Asphalt focus II: Driving performance and market competitiveness through advanced mix technologies

- How are European contractors and suppliers leveraging warm-mixed asphalt to meet sustainability targets and reduce energy costs amid tightening emissions regulations?
- How is RAP integration evolving in Europe’s high-spec markets, and what role do bio-based additives play in meeting green procurement standards?

Speakers Include:

Magdalena Machura

Sr. Business Development Manager

Cargill

Carl Hultin

Marketing Manager

Nynas AB

Alaoui Mohssine

Director of Research and Development

VIAS BITUMEN

11:45 - 12:15

Coffee break and in-house workshop with the Argus experts

Exclusive insights

12:15 - 12:35

Where is Oceania heading? What it means for EU arbitrage and optionality?

Speakers Include:

Doug Carrasco

General Manager Road Science & Asphalt Production

Downer Group

12:35 - 13:00

Featured presentation: Technological innovations to watch out for

13:00 - 13:15

Chairperson’s Summary: Highlights and Forward Look

13:15 - 14:00

Lunch

Please join us for lunch and see you next year!