Seats are complimentary and limited
Join us at our upcoming seminar where we will examine the dynamic interplay of the global economy, energy landscape and sustainable chemistry. From the foundations of steel and metal to the frontiers of hydrogen and carbon, our agenda delves into the entire energy and chemical value chain, identifying the critical touchpoints that shape each industry’s trajectory.
OPIS experts will examine supply costs, demand price discovery and outlooks for oil, gas, coal, steel, plastics, carbon, hydrogen, chemicals and more. We will provide a comprehensive analysis of the impact of sustainability measures across the energy and chemical markets and how you can maneuver your business through the crossroads.
Join us for a comprehensive analysis of the impact of sustainability measures across the energy and chemical markets and how you can maneuver your business safely through the crossroads.
Grovesnor House, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Dubai
Thursday, 17 April 2025
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Lunch, coffee breaks and cocktail reception are included
Veteran Industry Professionals from OPIS, Chemical Market Analytics and McCloskey
Price Assessments, Short- and Long-Term Outlooks, Analytics and Insights
Energy & Feedstock – Energy Macro Service, NGL & Naphtha Service (Outlooks, Insights, Price Assessments)
World Analysis – Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), Sodium Sulfate, Nitrile Latex (NBL), Pyrolysis Gasoline (PyGas), Polyacetal (POM Polymers)
Steel Raw Materials Markets & Research
Compliance and Voluntary Carbon Market Reports
Dewey Johnson, SVP & Global Lead, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Speaker TBD
Dewey Johnson, SVP & Global Lead, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
With the chemical industry continuing to experience a historical over-supply with trough-like margins, the market conditions and competitive landscape in the horizon will be different from the past. Structural changes ranging from national ambitions and regulatory frameworks, international collaborations, new investment optimization rules, to sustainability prioritization affect future financial success.
Key forces affecting this industry structural redesign include:
John Mathew, VP, Global Business Development
Growth and market opportunities unfolding in China, India, and the rest of Asia
Steve Lewandowski, VP, Global Olefins
The cracking economics of naphtha vs propane in Asia and their susceptibility to geopolitical events and economic concerns will be uncovered, and how the Russia-Ukraine war has reshaped naphtha flows into Asia and created tiered markets. Other regional views include how the US and Middle East propane continue to tussle for market share in Asia amid volatile freight rates, and how the Chinese demand will be key in absorbing LPG flows into Asia.
Steve Lewandowski, VP, Global Olefins
Energy transition means less oil and gas production, altering the traditional model where petrochemical feedstocks were byproducts. Despite increasing demand for petrochemicals, the shift imposes a cost burden on both the petrochemical industry and the end consumer. Balancing this dynamic becomes crucial in navigating the evolving energy landscape.
Dr. James Stevenson, Vice President, Coal, Metals and Mining at McCloskey by OPIS
Mike Nash, Vice President, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Current methanol feedstocks are almost exclusively natural gas and Chinese coal. Methanol also plans an important role at energy transition and sustainability development. Demand growth in the last ten years has been largely driven by MTO, with strong fuels growth. But as growth into MTO declines, future demand will be driven more by traditional chemical derivatives, with methanol into marine fuel and vehicle fuel a constantly growing and topical upside. The industry is beginning its decarbonization journey, with new technologies and feedstocks and some consumers looking to purchase green, not grey methanol. We will discuss the anticipated evolution of the methanol industry over the next decade, the implications for pricing, supply-demand, trade, and the types of companies participating in the market.
Kaushik Mitra, Executive Director, Polyolefins, EMEA, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
The global polyolefin market is defined by oversupply and regional production
cost disparity. The cost disparity amid oversupply amid demand slowdown is creating a unique market dynamic of low operating rate and compressed profitability. In this lower for longer scenario, Middle East is adding huge Polyolefin capacity. How these supplies will change the global supply demand equation, how the trade will evolve balancing China’s self-sufficiency, tariff protectionism and supply chain bottlenecks. How the players in the Middle East leverage their cost advantage and stay ahead of competition.
William Chen, Executive Director, Olefins, Asia
Will cover olefins and aromatics with a global landscape but focus on China China’s economy is shifting from a high-growth, industrial model to one focused on services, innovation, and sustainability. Despite challenges like global trade tensions and domestic debt, China remains a key global player. The energy sector is central to this transition, with growing investments in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and battery technology, pushing toward green energy. In the petrochemical sector, demand rises as China plays a critical role in global manufacturing, though it faces pressures from oversupply, shifting supply chains, and fluctuating oil prices.
The 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) focuses on technological self-sufficiency and sustainability. As it concludes in 2025, stimulus policies are expected to boost growth. The 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) will emphasize high-tech industries like AI and semiconductors, prioritizing resilience, global competitiveness, and deeper reforms for balanced growth.
The outlook for China’s economy, energy, and petrochemical sectors depends on managing these transitions, balancing growth with environmental goals, and adapting to global market changes.
Speaker TBD
Sakura Yamasaki, Founder and CEO at Singapore Solar Exchange
The global solar market is still largely defined by trends unfold in China and it’s shifting position in the market. China remains the dominant player across global solar installations across the top 5 markets – China, US, EU, India, and Brazil.
But the views inside China also tell another story including a 2024 installation slowdown. Why and What are the trends for solar installations inside China? The U.S. India and other regions are ramping up their industrial capacities. But as Chinese companies expand overseas supply chain capacities attempt to play a wac-a-mole game with the U.S. What insights can the Middle East gain from it’s own rapidly growing solar capacity. Supported by national targets, installations in the Middle East are growing faster than anywhere else. We will evaluate GW scale tenders in the region against a very price-sensitive market with deep forward curves. We’ll also dive into how the ME supply chain has grown exponentially in the past 2 years via partnerships with Chinese companies. Solar is a means to several ends in ME: technological leadership and energy transition. Is solar as a “hedge” against oil dependency, or a real path to global energy leadership?
Dr. James Stevenson, Head of Research in Coal, Metals and Mining at McCloskey by OPIS
The Middle East finds itself at the forefront of Green Steel development. Renewable generation – particularly solar – is growing rapidly in the region, and is a cornerstone of the expectation that the Middle East will become a green hydrogen production hub. With this resource, and access to either local or imported iron ore, the Middle East has the potential to grow to be a major player in the Green Steel supply chain – either as a producer of green DRI/HBI, or potentially taking the additional step of growing as a Green steel producer. Investments are coming rapidly – not only from local entities, but also from steelmakers around the world. But will global hydrogen and green steel markets take off to support such an industry? Or will the cost of green steel and logistical challenges around hydrogen slow the decarbonization of the steel sector?
Dominic Omusi, Principal Research Analyst – Hydrogen Markets, OPIS
Hydrogen and ammonia are becoming entrenched as global cornerstones of the energy transition, and the Middle East is emerging in prominence, as a region that can be a major supplier to global hydrogen markets – especially due its potential abundant supply of low-cost renewable energy (wind and solar). Deciphering the opportunity available to the region requires an understanding of the global hydrogen context: target prices for hydrogen as a commodity; production costs in competing jurisdictions; the role of incentive programs in North America, Europe and Asia; demand and offtake; trade and potential supply-demand balances. Ultimately, how does the Middle East fit within these factors shaping the global landscape?
Lujia Wang,
Deep dive into the implications of CBAM on Middle Eastern imports to Europe. What are the CORISIA or other Article 6 agreements that the region may want to embrace?
John Howland, Dewey Johnson, James Stevenson
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Note that there will be no recordings available for this event.
Dewey Johnson is the Senior Vice President and heads up the global chemicals team at Chemical Market Analytics. Dewey is responsible for the global insight and research covering the major chemical value chains, including Aromatics and Fibers, Olefins and Derivatives, Inorganics (chlor-alkali, vinyls, and soda ash), Plastics and Polymers, and Syngas Chemicals (methanol, acetyls, and ammonia). Dewey is based in Houston,
Before Chemical Market Analytics, Dewey joined IHS Markit base chemicals (through legacy CMAI) in 2009. His experience in the petrochemical industry covers all aspects of the business- financial, commercial, operations, research, strategy design and business planning, business development, and consultancy. Before IHS Markit, he was with Eastman Chemical Company, where he spent more than 25 years in strategic and commercial roles with various business groups and corporate functions. Dewey held management positions in commercial development, global sourcing, P&L for key businesses, market development, and market & strategic analysis of chemical markets and businesses. Dewey has led multiple complex engagements in strategy development and execution, global sourcing of Aromatics & olefins derivatives and industrial gases, business simulation & game theory and dynamic modeling, sales/ marketing, and business development. Dewey received BS and MS engineering degrees from Tennessee Technological University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He also earned an MBA in General Management. Dewey has been a frequent guest lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, UVA Darden School of Management, and SUNY at Albany School of Public Policy.
James Stevenson leads the research and forecasting team for Coal, Metals & Mining within McCloskey. Previously he led Global Coal research, and before that he headed up analysis of North American coal. Dr. Stevenson’s primary expertise includes supply-demand dynamics of coal and iron ore markets, price forecasting, mining and transportation costs, and export logistics and infrastructure. He also has extensive experience in trading of coal, natural gas, and power, as well as being experienced in M&A, having been a part of a number of asset and offtake deals in the coal supply space.
Prior to joining McCloskey’s predecessor IHS Markit, Dr. Stevenson spent six years in coal and power trading, most recently as Vice President, Coal Analysis at Mercuria Energy Trading, and before that as Coal Strategist at Louis Dreyfus Highbridge Energy. He also worked in the energy trading team at Eraring Energy in the Australian utility industry, working primarily in risk management as well as strategy around coal procurement, power sales, and carbon strategy.
Dr. Stevenson holds undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Sydney in Australia, and a PhD from Yale University.
John Howland is Vice President and head of McCloskey by OPIS, a Dow Jones company. McCloskey provides market intelligence, news, price assessments/benchmarks and analytics/forecasts for the metals and mining supply chain with focus on thermal coal and steel making raw materials. Prior to joining Dow Jones, he was head of the coal, metals and mining business within IHS Markit and joined the company in 2007 through the acquisition of McCloskey of which he was a director. Mr. Howland is a member of the OPIS leadership team.
Dominic has a comprehensive energy background that spans major energy sectors of hydrogen and renewable energy, electricity utilities and oil and gas production, and across these sectors, Dominic has worked extensively on energy transition strategies, with an overall goal of energy system decarbonization. Dominic possesses bachelor and master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering, which provide a strong background for technical understanding of energy systems. Dominic has led consulting engagements at Deloitte that considered provincial and national-level decarbonization initiatives and strategies for private energy producers, as well as federal and provincial government agencies.
Mike Nash is the vice president of Syngas Chemicals, which deals with methanol and acetyls practices at Chemical Market Analytics. He works with a global team of regional consultants and overlays their analyses with a worldwide perspective. His responsibilities include the weekly World Methanol Report and monthly World Methanol Analysis, as well as the weekly and monthly Global Acetyls Market Reports and the related World Analyses for methanol, acetyls and formaldehyde.
Before joining the IHS Markit base chemicals business (now known as Chemical Market Analytics) in September 2012, Mr. Nash worked for BP’s petrochemicals division for 19 years before a two-year stint in Total’s UK fuels business. He performed various commercial roles within BP, in international business management, marketing, project management and logistics, based in London, Duesseldorf and Kuala Lumpur. His last role in Total UK was logistics director for specialties. Mr. Nash holds a Master of Arts in English language and literature from Edinburgh University and an MBA from Kingston University, both in the United Kingdom.
