Argus Bitumen & Asphalt Europe Conference

09:00 - 09:50

Welcome breakfast and registrations open

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

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

Diversifying application of bitumen and asphalt:

- How is bitumen being used in waterproofing solutions for infrastructure and building projects?
-What opportunities exist in industrial flooring, roofing, and insulation systems?
- How can producers innovate to meet demand in niche sectors like airport runways and energy infrastructure?

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?

15:15 - 15:55

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

15:55 - 16:30

Evening coffee and refreshments break

16:30 - 17:15

U.S. export strategy in a sanctioned market: Venezuela’s crude disruption impact on cost and trade

- What impact are Venezuelan sanctions having on U.S.–Europe/Middle East/Africa trade flows?
- How should U.S. producers respond to shifting trade flows (exports to UK, Germany, UAE) and rising container premiums by improving logistics, pricing transparency, and service reliability?
- How can U.S. suppliers build resiliency amid geopolitical and shipping disruptions by optimizing trade routes, storage strategies, and regional partnerships?

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

Asphalt insights

10:15 - 11:00

Argus asphalt report outlook for 2026

Speakers Include:

Irina Vinogradova

Senior Manager - Consulting

Argus

11:00 - 11:30

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

Alaoio Mohssine

Director of Research and Development

VIAS BITUMEN

11:30 - 12:00

Coffee break and in-house workshop with the Argus experts

Exclusive insights

12:00 - 12:30

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

Speakers Include:

Doug Carrasco

General Manager Road Science & Asphalt Production

Downer Group

12:30 - 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!