BIOGRAPHY

Rafal Bernat is Technical Professional Leader in the Clean Ammonia and Hydrogen business unit at KBR. He is responsible for KBR Green Ammonia technology, K-GreeN®, market deployment, commercialization and technical development. Having significant experience in electrolyzers, he also serves as an internal consultant across all KBR business segments supporting market entry of the technology. Rafal has mixed business and scientific experience across all clean ammonia and hydrogen value chain, from renewable power, through hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis and hydrogen consumption. He earned his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering specializing in fuel cells from Warsaw University of Technology, and worked at multiple European Universities on electrolyzer technology and distributed energy generation systems.

BIOGRAPHY

Florian Waeber is responsible for modeling and simulation activities at SolydEra SA, one of the Research and Development hubs within the SolydEra group dedicated to large systems and applications of solid oxide fuel cells and electrolyzers.

A holder of a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Switzerland, Florian specialized in fuel cells during his master's thesis conducted at VTT in Espoo, Finland.

Since becoming a part of SolydEra in 2018, he has been deeply involved in the development of the hot balance of plant for fully reversible solid oxide cell systems (rSOC). His contributions span diverse areas, encompassing design, modeling, sizing, safety analysis, and documentation with a focus on achieving certifications.

BIOGRAPHY

Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering 2008; Master of Computer Aided Process Engineering 2010; both at University of Applied Science Krefeld, Germany. First Job at GEA Messo PT involved in process engineerings for ammonium sulphate - , sodium chloride -, calcium chloride – crystallization plants. Started career at Uhde in 2012 in the process engineering group for urea. Involved in several proposal works for urea plants, involved in several urea plant commissionings; worked as a lead engineer for the process engineering of a urea plant in Egypt. Since Sept. 2020 I am heading the process group for urea within Uhde.

BIOGRAPHY

Philippe Goossens dedicated his professional life to engineer anti-pollution systems worldwide for over 45 years. Philippe started back in 1978 with Monsanto Enviro Chem Systems (MECS) covering sulfuric acid, chlorine and fertilizer industry with their specific systems as BRINK® fiber bed mist eliminator, HRS systems and DYNAWAVE® scrubbing systems.In 1995, Philippe started to work with SOCREMATIC a highly reputable scrubber manufacturing company located as CERGY in FRANCE which he added as the managing director 2022.Nowadays, due to his vast experience, he is still active in SOCREMATIC as senior consultant.

BIOGRAPHY

Luca always wanted to be a fireman, but, who knows why, he enrolled in the faculty of chemical engineering at the Politecnico of Milan.

After graduating in 2009 Luca joined Saipem where he started his career as a process engineer for Saipem's Snamprogetti urea technology.

He had the opportunity to interact with people of great experience both within Saipem and abroad, acquiring knowledge on the urea process itself and gaining experience in the related mechanical and site aspects of the job.

Now Luca is Technology Leader for the Snamprogetti™ Urea Technology.

BIOGRAPHY

Marco Groenewegen is the research and development lead engineer at Kreber and holds a Master's degree in mechanical engineering from the Delft University of Technology. During his career at Kreber, Marco has played a vital role in various successful innovations, making sure Prilling Equipment meets or exceeds regulations and demands for new products in different markets. Among these achievements are the calculation model for thermodynamic balance of prilling towers, and his work on the development of the spiralling jet breakup model, allowing detailed modelling of the jet breakup of various melts in the prilling process.

BIOGRAPHY

Roberto is the Regional Manager for catalyst sales in the ammonia and methanol related industries. Roberto has over 20 years of experience servicing the chemical, petrochemical and gas/syngas industries in process equipment sales, technical consultancy services and catalyst sales. Roberto studied Chemistry at the University of Nottingham and achieved his PhD in Organometallic Chemistry  in 2005. At Johnson Matthey he has responsibility for the catalyst sales in the European territory and works closely with JM’s market management team providing solutions to all our customers.

BIOGRAPHY

Kevin holds a BEng (Hons) Chemical Engineering Degree and he joined ICI’s  Speciality Catalysts team in 1996, specialising on the purification of a number of industrial gas feedstocks.  

Kevin has held a range of technical and commercial roles within Johnson Matthey’s Syngas and Environmental Catalysts businesses.  

More recently Kevin has been the Commercial Lead for Johnson Matthey’s European and FSU catalyst businesses covering; Syngas, Nitric acid, Petrochemicals as well as number of other Chemicals markets.  

He is currently the Lead Sales Manager for Syngas Europe.  

BIOGRAPHY

Lari Bjerg Knudsen is ammonia technology manager for Topsoe A/S with responsibility for continued development of Topsoe ammonia technology to support the global green energy transition. Mr. Knudsen has more than 20 years of experience within chemical engineering and more than 15 years working for Topsoe A/S within hydrogen, syngas and ammonia. The first 12 years covering design, operator training, commissioning and start-up as well as process development. For the last 3 years Mr. Knudsen has held his current position as ammonia technology manager with a strong focus on developing green ammonia. Mr. Knudsen has a M. Sc. Chemical Engineering degree from the Technical University of Denmark.

BIOGRAPHY

Matteo Fumagalli graduated in Chemical Engineering from Polytechnic University of Milan in 2009.

After graduation he worked five years as Process Engineer in a chemical plant. In 2014 he joined the Urea process department in Casale.  

During its career as process engineer, he was involved in several projects ranging from conceptual studies till complex revamping projects of which he also supervised the start-up.  

Since 2022 he devoted himself to the strengthening and development of Casale’s urea know-how assuming the role of Urea Technology Manager, position which he currently holds.

BIOGRAPHY

Gelar Panji Gemilar is a process engineer at Petrokimia Gresik. His formative years were spent in Yogyakarta, where he developed a keen interest in chemical engineering. He pursued this passion at Universitas Gadjah Mada, earning both his bachelor's and master’s degrees in chemical engineering. Gelar's professional journey began in the Ammonia and Urea plant, where he was an integral part of the operational team. He now leads a team focusing on the process evaluation and quality control of the Ammonia, Urea, and Water Treatment plant processes, particularly emphasizing the Urea final product. His leadership and innovation focused on optimizing systems for controlling the quality of both the process and the final products, significantly contributing to the industry's advancement.

BIOGRAPHY

Siew Ling is a currently process engineer in the hydrogen group within the OneTech entity of TotalEnergies. Together with others, the H2 organisation is supporting the company’s ambition to decarbonize existing assets, and contributing to energy transition, and unlock growth of massive H2 production globally.Siew Ling started her career as a process engineer in SHELL Malaysia in 2004. In 2015, she joined TotalEnergies France as process engineer to support development studies in Africa, and South America. Before joining the H2 team in 2022, she was in TEP Denmark as Process & Flow Assurance Team Lead within the Production entity.

BIOGRAPHY

Alexandre Boiarsky is a senior architect specializing in Hydrogen projects within the OneTech support branch ofTotalEnergies. The OneTech Branch architects focus on executing complex projects with a fit-for-purpose and industrialmindset. Alexandre initiated his career as a process engineer at TECHNIP. In 2001, he joined Total's EP branch (nowTotalEnergies) and held diverse roles, including Offshore Installation Manager in Gabon, Technical Entity Manager inAngola – Block 17, and Senior Lead Development Architect for the Tilenga project in Uganda. Since 2021, Alexandre hasbeen actively involved in supporting the development of the H2Mag project for the JV TEH2 in Chile (focused on greenAmmonia).

BIOGRAPHY

Takuhiro Minato is a process engineer dedicating to research and development of Urea technology in Toyo Engineering Corporation. His responsibilities include engineering of new licensing projects and EPC projects / commissioning, start-up / performance evaluation of existing plant for revamping projects.

BIOGRAPHY

Nguyen Tuong Lai is a process engineer specializing in the analysis and evaluation of urea process, including assessments of performance and the operational status of process sections, as well as equipments within the urea process production line.  In parallel with researching, optimizing, Nguyen Tuong Lai also undertakes projects related to the improvement of urea technology at the Ca Mau fertilizer plant. He has been working at Petrovietnam Ca Mau Fertilizer Joint Stock Company (PVCFC)  since graduating from Azerbaijan State Oil and Industrial University. He has bachelor’s degree of chemical engineering.

BIOGRAPHY

Azusa Okazaki is a program leader of g-Methanol technology. She joined Toyo Engineering in 2014 after 4 years of experience as process engineer of Mitsui Chemical. Prior to her current position, she worked in process engineering of syngas technologies. She has been leading the development and promotion of our g-Methanol technology since 2020.

BIOGRAPHY

Dr. Stepan Spatenka is a chemical engineer with more than 15 years’ experience in delivering services with focus on development of advanced catalytic reactor models in gPROMS and their applications over the process lifecycle from lab to industrial operations. At Siemens, Stepan is leading the Catalytic Reactors Practice as part of Siemens Industry Software. He has a keen interest in applying advanced modelling techniques to address the challenges of the process industries.

BIOGRAPHY

Mayank Patel is a Chemical Engineer with more than 13 years’ experience on advanced process modelling and optimisation, with an emphasis on reaction and adsorption applications, helping companies make the best use of model-based solutions for all stages of design and operation. At Siemens, Mayank is developing and executing a strategy to grow Siemens process automation software business in the chemical industry by defining a go-to-market strategy, identifying gaps in offering to contribute to product development roadmaps and providing strategic input and high-level technical account management.

BIOGRAPHY

As the Strategic Product Manager at SICK Engineering GmbH in Germany, Mr Shahid spent the last 1.5 years enhancing particle measurement solutions, bolstering the global sales channels, and supporting customers worldwide. His decade-long professional journey, anchored by a master's in engineering management, has been primarily within SICK group, focusing on managing analyzers and gas flow meters for Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (CEMS) across diverse industries in the Middle East. Combining technical expertise with strategic acumen, he has consistently driven innovation and efficiency in analytical instrumentation.

BIOGRAPHY

Execution and commercial background in energy transition, also starting the sister company Nextchem proposal management in recent past, grown with technologies and various project management experiences, in 23 years with KT. Contribution to value engineering strategies, including the energy saving and the investment reduction for projects and proposals and to the MAIRE Group’s technology innovation efforts. Involved in developing new business areas, with technology alliances and in new commercial areas, including technical advising and proposal management for Blue Hydrogen partnerships, methanol technology integration, green ammonia innovation together with the sister company Stamicarbon. Passionate contributor to energy transition initiatives with additional interest for social responsiveness of the value proposition.

BIOGRAPHY

Mahal Patel obtained a M.Sc. at the University of Twente in 2007 and a Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng) at the Technical University of Eindhoven in 2009. From 2009 until 2021 Mr. Patel worked as a Process Engineer at Air Liquide Global E&C Solutions in Frankfurt, Germany. He has a broad experience in Syngas technologies like Methanation, CO-Shift and AutoThermal Reforming. Since April 2021 Mr. Patel works as a Process Engineer Syngas within Stamicarbon and is closely involved in the Stami Green Ammonia Technology.

BIOGRAPHY

Alex Scheerder holds a Masters in Science degree in Applied Physics from the Technical University of Eindhoven, the Netherlands. He started his professional career in 1986 as a Research Associate at the NDT (Non Destructive Testing) Department of DSM Research in the Netherlands. From 1992 Mr. Scheerder headed the NDT Department of DSM Engineering-Stamicarbon. In 2001 he joined Stamicarbon as a Mechanical Lead Engineer Urea Technology Department. He worked on the development and successful introduction of the Safurex® duplex stainless steel in Stamicarbon urea plants. In 2007 he became head of the Mechanical Engineering & Inspection Department. Since 2018 Mr. Scheerder holds the position of Principal Engineer within Stamicarbon.

BIOGRAPHY

Engineer with more than 30 years experience in Engineering and Construction Management, leading worldwide multidisciplinary projects in the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Chemical, Energy, Utilities, Waste to Energy, Nuclear Industries and Infrastructures.  

He started as structural engineer in Tecnimont, then Head of department, then Project Manager for large EPC projects. Later he worked as Director of Engineering in international EPC contractors like Techint Europe and Techint India, which he founded and managed.  

More recently in Arkad-ABB as Engineering Director and then Regional Manager for Algeria and North Africa. 

Since 2021 in Casale as Head of Engineering Division.

BIOGRAPHY

Norbert Ringer graduated as Chemical Engineer from the Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen/Nuremberg, Germany, and started his career in the catalyst business with Süd-Chemie AG in 1990. He has more than 33 years of experience in the field of syngas catalysts for hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol production having held various roles in R&D, technical service, sales and product management. From 2012 - 2018 he had the position of head of sales Syngas in EMEA. Since 2018, he acts as global methanol industry director and has the role of global Syngas industry expert

BIOGRAPHY

Lukas Rothermich obtained a B.Eng. in industrial engineering at the University of Mosbach in 2010. From 2010 until 2020 Mr. Rothermich worked as area sales manager for WIKA Alexander Wiegand SE&Co. KG. Being mainly responsible for supporting chemical- and petrochemical plant operators planning state of the art instrumentation solution upgrades during turnarounds and revamps in multiple units including H2/syngas production and related ammonia plants.  His broad experience is in Temperature, Pressure, Level, Flow and IIOT measurement solutions. Furthermore he assisted EPC accounts in instrumenting gas carrier ships and setting up hydrocarbon storage terminals. Since 2020 as Global Market Segment Manager Chemicals & Petrochemicals he is responsible to develop jointly with more than 12000 ambitioned WIKA colleagues smart sensing solutions for the dedicated stakeholders with high focus on Decarbonisation and Digitalisation.

BIOGRAPHY

Alex Scheerder holds a Masters in Science degree in Applied Physics from the Technical University of Eindhoven, the Netherlands. He started his professional career in 1986 as a Research Associate at the NDT (Non Destructive Testing) Department of DSM Research in the Netherlands. From 1992 Mr. Scheerder headed the NDT Department of DSM Engineering-Stamicarbon. In 2001 he joined Stamicarbon as a Mechanical Lead Engineer Urea Technology Department. He worked on the development and successful introduction of the Safurex® duplex stainless steel in Stamicarbon urea plants. In 2007 he became head of the Mechanical Engineering & Inspection Department. Since 2018 Mr. Scheerder holds the position of Principal Engineer within Stamicarbon.

BIOGRAPHY

Florian Knaus studied Chemistry at the Technical University of Darmstadt and completed his PhD degree in January 2022 with a focus in Technical Chemistry. In the beginning of 2021, he started his position as Applied Technology Manager at Umicore. Since then, he has been responsible for design and all technical questions regarding Umicore's ammonia oxidation catalysts. Additionally, he is in charge for the product development.