Argus Biomass Conference

• The key economic and policy drivers affecting European biomass demand
• The global supply landscape, future investments and shifting trade routes
• New sources of supply and the growing importance of Russia

• What are the main sustainability challenges and how are utilities working towards meeting renewable energy targets?
• How are sourcing strategies evolving as Europe competes for volumes?
• What are the potential market scenarios post-2027 once UK and Dutch subsidies expire?
• Asserting biomass’ place in the future renewable energy mix alongside solar and wind energy

Speakers include:

Søren Alsing, Head of Fuel, Bioenergy and Thermal Power, Ørsted

• 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?

Christian Joore, Head of Biomass & Freight, Vattenfall Energy Trading
Tiago Andrade, Director, Wood Pellet Services

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

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

1. Russia as an important global supplier of wood pellets – what to expect
2. How will the demand for waste wood evolve in Europe? 
   Andy Hill, Managing Director, Cynosure Partners
3. Souring supply for the European residential heating market – Challenges and opportunities
4. What is the “silver bullet” behind the Swedish success story? 
   Bengt-Erik Löfgren, CEO, ÄFAB
5. 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)
6. Accessing flexible and cost-effective turnkey pelletizing solutions

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

• France- Hugues de Cherisey, General Secretary, SNCB
• Austria and Germany - Christian Rakos, President, World Bioenergy Association
• Italy

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

Lauma Kazuša, Head of Market Analysis, SUEZ Trading Europe
Carlos Retortillo, Operations Director, ENCE Energía y Celulosa

This is the most free-flowing and unstructured session of the conference and offers anyone, with a topic or challenge in mind, the opportunity to suggest it to the participants and invite those with mutual interests to join an interactive discussion. If you have a proposed topic, issue or challenge* and an idea of who else should join the discussion, contact melissa.chew@argusmedia.com 

*suggestions will not be considered if they are commercial in nature and powerpoint slides are not permitted. 

• 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

Yves Ryckmans, Chief Technology Officer, Biomass, ENGIE Lab Laborelec

• 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?

Harold Arnold, President, Fram Renewable Fuels
Vaughan Bassett, SVP Sales & Logistics, Pinnacle Renewable Energy

• What production capacity can be expected from Russia in the next 2-5 years?
• How are Russian producers positioning themselves to supply customers in the industrial and premium pellet markets?
• How might supply from Russia to Asia increase over the next decade?
• How well set up are Russian ports for handling wood pellets?

• 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?

Featuring senior representatives from diverse sectors

• 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?

Speakers include:
Yoshinobu Kusano, Senior Advisor, Renova
Ted Kim, Manager, Trading and Investment Group, Samsung C&T Corporation
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:
Giulia Cancian, Policy Director, Bioenergy Europe

Speakers:
Kamila Waciega, Director, Energy, Public Affairs, Veolia

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?
2. Beyond FIT: The future of biomass as part of Japan’s renewable energy strategy  
3. To what extent can Russian producers guarantee a reliable and secure supply for European end-users? 
4. BECCs - Is being carbon negative in reach for biomass? 
5. Prospects and challenges for the emergence of biomass-fueled commercial scale operations
6. Industrials – How are leaders in carbon intensive sectors exploring biomass to reduce their environmental impact?
7. Navigating the demands of local legislation to demonstrate quality and sustainability with the right partners

• As REDIII enters the decision-making stage, just how concerning are the critics of biomass and their potential impact on policy?
• Is the bioenergy industry failing to justify its sustainability credentials to politicians and the public? 
• Could the biomass sector collaborate closer with other renewable sectors?
• Can BECCs help shift the biomass narrative?

Moderator:
Gordon Murray, Executive Director, Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC)

• 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?