Argus Biomass Conference

• Key drivers affecting biomass demand, power sector outlook
• The global supply landscape
• Future investments, shifting trade routes

• What are the main challenges facing utilities and how are they working towards meeting renewable energy targets?

• Reflecting on the recent energy crisis in Europe and the spike in prices – how can biomass support a more robust energy supply in the future?
• Exploring biomass’ place in the future energy mix alongside other renewables, especially post-2027 expiry of UK and Dutch subsidies
  
  

Moderator: Freddie Staermose, Vice President - Generation Fuels & Dry Bulks, Argus

Speakers include:

Rick Taylor, Head of Fuels, Drax
Søren Alsing, Head of Fuel, Bioenergy and Thermal Power, Ørsted
Michael Schytz, Head of Fuel and Logistics, HOFOR
Alfons von Weereld, Head of Biomass Sourcing & Trading, Uniper
Fabien Mehu, Head of Biomass, Engie

• How are traders adapting their sourcing strategies and where do they see new trading routes emerging?
• How will demand for biomass be affected by shifts in the broader European energy systems
• How are rising freight rates and logistical costs affecting trade?
• What needs to be done to mitigate trading risk, improve efficiencies and develop liquidity in the market?
• Addressing the sustainability question: Can certification schemes maintain a harmonized system to facilitate efficient trade?

Moderated by:
Brodie Govan, Biomass Broker, Voyage Power

Speakers include:
Christian Joore, Head of Biomass & Freight, Vattenfall Energy Trading
Tiago Andrade, Director, Wood Pellet Services
Johan Mertens, Biomass Trader, Engie
Jan Groeneveld, Biomass Sourcing Manager, Uniper
Martin de Wolff, Head of Biofuels Trading, RWE

Taking place on the stage in the exhibition hall, be inspired by innovative companies sharing their latest technologies and solutions.

CPM Presents “The energy savings revolution in biomass pelleting.” (14:00-14:25)

Choose from one of the following topics and participate in an interactive discussion guided by the round table leader:

1. Baltics biomass supply developments and future growth potential
Igors Krasavcevs, Head of Economic Research Department, Wood Products Development and Research Institute

 
2. Exploring the potential for woodchip market growth in Europe

Juan Prados Edwards, Managing Director, Generandi

3. What are the commercial prospects for advanced, thermally treated pellets? Will they have a place in the biomass ecosystem?

Michael Wild, President, International Biomass Torrefaction Council (IBTC), 

Steve Potter, Head of Metalicos, Vale,

Mark Lyra, Senior Director of Energy Innovation, Sumitomo Corporation

Heinz Grossmann, Managing Director, Lignum Renewable Energy GmbH

4.Accessing flexibleand cost-effective turnkey pelletizing solutions

Dennis Werner, Amandus Kahl

Andreas Schulz, Amandus Kahl

Representative from CPM 

Exploring the key drivers towards wood chip and waste wood usage and future growth

• Current market size and evolving demand
• Potential demand growth from carbon-intense industries as they shift away from fossil fuels
• Sourcing strategies and logistical costs
• Woodchip and waste wood as part of the fuel mix for district heating

Andy Hill, Deputy Chair, Wood Recyclers Association
Lauma Kazuša, Head of Market Analysis, SUEZ Trading Europe
Carlos Retortillo, Operations Director, ENCE Energía y Celulosa
Markus Süßmann, Head of Special Projects, Danpower
Kristaps Knesis, Biomass Portfolio Manager, Gren
Jaime Reis, Director, BSL Comercio

Snapshots of demand for premium pellets for the residential heating markets across Europe and the opportunity to discuss and collaborate with peers.

Moderated by: Gilles Gauthier, Director Business Development & Membership, Bioenergy Europe

Country profiles include:

• France- Hugues de Cherisey, General Secretary, SNCB
• Austria and Germany - Christian Rakos, President, World Bioenergy Association
• Italy - Matteo Favero, Wood Biofuels and Certification Schemes Manager, AIEL
• United Kingom - Matt Goodwin, Secretary General, UK Pellet Council

• The role of biomass and carbon capture in meeting carbon reduction targets
• Assessing the technical process of capturing and storing carbon from biomass
• What are the long-term prospects for BECCs and can it be commercially viable on a wider scale?

• Will rising carbon pricing drive biomass demand and improve its long-term prospects – even in the absence of subsidies?
• Exploring biomass as a low-carbon solution alongside wind and solar renewable energy
• The essential role of certification for biomass a viable part of the energy transition

Moderated by: Freddie Staermose, Vice President - Generation Fuels & Dry Bulks, Argus

Yves Ryckmans, Chief Technology Officer, Biomass, ENGIE Lab Laborelec
Henrik Brodin, Strategic Business Development Manager, Södra 

• Update on capacity expansions and plans for next 12 months
• Latest market trends: consolidation, vertical integration and acquisition – what does this mean for the biomass ecosystem?
• To what extent will new demand from Asia shift the global market dynamics?
• What new regions could open up as supply hubs?

Moderator:
Bill Strauss, President, Futuremetrics

Speakers include:
Harold Arnold, President, Fram Renewable Fuels
Vaughan Bassett, Senior Vice-President of Sales & Logistics, Drax
Bjørn Halvard Knappskog, CEO, Arbaflame

Thomas Meth, Executive Vice-President, ENVIVA

• What production capacity can be expected from Russia in the next 2-5 years?
• How are producers positioning themselves following EU sanctions on wood products?
• What are alternate sources for pellets and how may they play a role in stabilising trade-flow?

Alexander Afanasyev, Managing Director, Peltrade
Nicolas Viart, Technical Director, SBP
Michael Christensen, Chief Operating Officer, CM Biomass

Mark Cooper, CEO, Prairie Clean Energy

• An overview of how the industrial and premium pellet market interact, what creates tension and how price could be affected
• What can be learnt from the most recent winter? And what to expect for the 2022 heating season
• Changing sourcing strategies to meet new demand – which supply regions will be key?
• Is growth in the residential market limited? Will demand from commercial and industrial application take significant volumes in the future?

• How are industrials across diverse sectors utilising biomass to reduce carbon emissions?
• What role can locally-sourced biomass contribute towards a circular economy?
• What other ways are bio-based products being used to reduce the environmental impact?
• What are the opportunities for advanced, torrefied pellets in industrial heat and power generation for industrials?

Speakers include:

Lucas Fabre, Climate & Energy Transition, Industrial Function, Solvay

Andrew Johnson, Vice President, TSI

Dennis Werner, Sales Director, Amandus Kahl

Stephen Potter, Director Metalicos, Vale

• An update on policy and project status in Japan – How changes to the rules on sustainability will affect trade
• How can exporters comply with sustainability requirements and meet the volumes required?
• Beyond the FIT: The role of biomass as part of Japan’s renewable energy strategy
• How are other countries in the region looking to move away from fossil fuels to meet their carbon reduction obligations?

Moderator: Bill Strauss, President, Futuremetrics

Speakers include:
Yoshinobu Kusano, Senior Advisor, Renova
Kevin Park, Senior Manager, KOEN
Takanobu Aikawa, Senior Researcher, Renewable Energy Institute
Ryuu Lee, Biomass Trader, Hanwa

• What are the implications of Fit for 55 for industrial and residential pellet markets?
• What are the upcoming steps for the decision making and implementation of RED III?
• How will increased rigidity of sustainability criteria mean for harmonization in Europe and biomass trade?
• How could policy developments encourage further investment in biomass

Moderator:
Irene Di Padua, Policy Director, Bioenergy Europe

Speakers:
Kamila Waciega, Director, Energy, Public Affairs, Veolia
Uwe Fritsche, Scientific Director, IINAS
Kees Kwant, Senior Expert Bioenergy, RVO

Choose from one of the following topics and participate in an interactive discussion guided by the round table leader.

1. Is biomass a viable solution for energy intensive industries to reduce their carbon emissions?

Perpetual Next

2. Beyond FIT: The future of biomass as part of Japan’s renewable energy strategy  

Yoshinobu Kusano, Senior Advisor, Renova

Takanobu Aikawa, Senior Researcher, Renewable Energy Institute

Ryuu Lee, Senior Manager Material Department (Renewable Energy Section), Hanwa

3.How does the all-in cost of fossil fuel impact the biomass industry?

Arbaflame

4. Prospects and challenges for the emergence of biomass-fueled commercial scale operations
Gilles Gauthier, Director Business Development & Membership, Bioenergy Europe

5. Exploring potential growth in African markets for woodchips

Frank Grischkat, International Business Development Manager ,Bruening Group

Dean Scanlan, Manager, Sales & Logistics, Bruening Group UK 

• As REDIII enters the decision-making stage, just how concerning are the critics of biomass and their potential impact on policy?
• How effectively is the biomass sector communicating its socially and economically responsible, and sustainable credentials in the eyes of public and the Government?
• Has the biomass sector responded adequately to NGO criticism?
• Should the sector be looking at a coordinated approach going forward?

Moderator:
Daniel Reinemann, Policy Officer, Bionenergy Europe

Speakers include:
Luc Pelkmans, Technical Coordinator, IEA Bioenergy

Adam Brown, Senior Energy Analyst, Biofutures Facilitation Team

Mark Sommerfield, Head of Power and Flexibility, Renewable Energy Association

• What are the possible scenarios for the biomass sector once UK and Dutch subsidies have expired? Will new market structures and dynamics emerge?
• What needs to be done to encourage further investment in the sector?
• How will biomass compete with other renewables as well as traditional fuels as Europe pushes towards its environmental targets?
• What are the commercial prospects for advanced, thermally treated pellets? Will they have a place in the biomass ecosystem?

Moderated by:
Freddie Staermose, Vice President - Generation Fuels & Dry Bulks, Argus

Speakers include:
Christian Rakos,President, World Bioenergy Association
Maarten Gnoth, Founder and Director, Hinterland Management