Senior Vice President,  CRU

Jorn P. de Linde was appointed to his current position following the merger between Resource Strategies Inc. and CRU International in April 1996. Based in the United States, he specialises in ferroalloys-related research, with particular emphasis on silicon-based alloys and electric power, drawing on 30 years of experience. In addition to the manganese ferroalloy cost data service, Mr de Linde is the principal author of CRU’s silicon metal market outlook and silicon cost data service reports. Mr de Linde also is a contributor to other CRU ferroalloy-related reports, including the Bulk Ferroalloys Monitor. He earned an MSc Degree in Mineral Economics from the Pennsylvania State University in the USA and holds an MBA (Siviløkonom) from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in Bergen, Norway.
Agenda Title: Chairman’’s Opening Remarks
Agenda Time: 09:00 - 09:10
Agenda Day: 09 November 2021

Senior Vice President,  CRU

Jorn P. de Linde was appointed to his current position following the merger between Resource Strategies Inc. and CRU International in April 1996. Based in the United States, he specialises in ferroalloys-related research, with particular emphasis on silicon-based alloys and electric power, drawing on 30 years of experience. In addition to the manganese ferroalloy cost data service, Mr de Linde is the principal author of CRU’s silicon metal market outlook and silicon cost data service reports. Mr de Linde also is a contributor to other CRU ferroalloy-related reports, including the Bulk Ferroalloys Monitor. He earned an MSc Degree in Mineral Economics from the Pennsylvania State University in the USA and holds an MBA (Siviløkonom) from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in Bergen, Norway.
Agenda Title: Chairman’’s Opening Remarks
Agenda Time: 09:00 - 09:10
Agenda Day: 09 November 2021

Director Sales and Strategic Procurement,  PCC BakkiSilicon hf
Rolf Prack is the Director Sales and Strategic Procurement of PCC BakkiSilicon hf in Húsavík, Iceland. PCC BakkiSilicon, belonging to the PCC Group (www.pcc.eu), operates one of the world's most modern Silicon Metal plants in Husavik, Iceland. Rolf is responsible for the strategic purchase of raw materials (Coal, Quartzite, Wood, Electrodes) as well as for the sales of Silicon Metal and by-products such as Microsilica. A graduate in business administration, he previously worked for thyssenkrupp in raw materials trading for over 7 years. The reason for PCC BakkiSilicon´s location in Iceland, apart from its central geographical location, is the use of geothermal resources as an energy source.

Executive Vice President of Sales and Customer Service,  Landsvirkjun

Director Sales and Strategic Procurement,  PCC BakkiSilicon hf
Rolf Prack is the Director Sales and Strategic Procurement of PCC BakkiSilicon hf in Húsavík, Iceland. PCC BakkiSilicon, belonging to the PCC Group (www.pcc.eu), operates one of the world's most modern Silicon Metal plants in Husavik, Iceland. Rolf is responsible for the strategic purchase of raw materials (Coal, Quartzite, Wood, Electrodes) as well as for the sales of Silicon Metal and by-products such as Microsilica. A graduate in business administration, he previously worked for thyssenkrupp in raw materials trading for over 7 years. The reason for PCC BakkiSilicon´s location in Iceland, apart from its central geographical location, is the use of geothermal resources as an energy source.

Executive Vice President of Sales and Customer Service,  Landsvirkjun

Senior Vice President Silicon Products,  Elkem
Mr. Inge Grubben-Strømnes has been the Senior Vice President of Silicon Products since 2020. Before that, he was the SVP of Elkem Carbon Solutions (2018-2020) and SVP of Business development in Elkem (2008-2018). He was also the Chief Executive Officer of Elkem Solar AS from 2012 to 2016. He has been with the company since 2005. Prior to his position in Elkem, he worked with McKinsey & Company for 4 years. Mr. Inge Grubben-Strømnes holds a MSc in Zoology and a Bachelor in Biology from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and an MBA from EM-Lyon.

Director Sales and Strategic Procurement,  PCC BakkiSilicon hf
Rolf Prack is the Director Sales and Strategic Procurement of PCC BakkiSilicon hf in Húsavík, Iceland. PCC BakkiSilicon, belonging to the PCC Group (www.pcc.eu), operates one of the world's most modern Silicon Metal plants in Husavik, Iceland. Rolf is responsible for the strategic purchase of raw materials (Coal, Quartzite, Wood, Electrodes) as well as for the sales of Silicon Metal and by-products such as Microsilica. A graduate in business administration, he previously worked for thyssenkrupp in raw materials trading for over 7 years. The reason for PCC BakkiSilicon´s location in Iceland, apart from its central geographical location, is the use of geothermal resources as an energy source.

Director Sales and Strategic Procurement,  PCC BakkiSilicon hf
Rolf Prack is the Director Sales and Strategic Procurement of PCC BakkiSilicon hf in Húsavík, Iceland. PCC BakkiSilicon, belonging to the PCC Group (www.pcc.eu), operates one of the world's most modern Silicon Metal plants in Husavik, Iceland. Rolf is responsible for the strategic purchase of raw materials (Coal, Quartzite, Wood, Electrodes) as well as for the sales of Silicon Metal and by-products such as Microsilica. A graduate in business administration, he previously worked for thyssenkrupp in raw materials trading for over 7 years. The reason for PCC BakkiSilicon´s location in Iceland, apart from its central geographical location, is the use of geothermal resources as an energy source.

Head of Corporate Sustainability,  Wacker

Senior Vice President,  CRU

Jorn P. de Linde was appointed to his current position following the merger between Resource Strategies Inc. and CRU International in April 1996. Based in the United States, he specialises in ferroalloys-related research, with particular emphasis on silicon-based alloys and electric power, drawing on 30 years of experience. In addition to the manganese ferroalloy cost data service, Mr de Linde is the principal author of CRU’s silicon metal market outlook and silicon cost data service reports. Mr de Linde also is a contributor to other CRU ferroalloy-related reports, including the Bulk Ferroalloys Monitor. He earned an MSc Degree in Mineral Economics from the Pennsylvania State University in the USA and holds an MBA (Siviløkonom) from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in Bergen, Norway.
Agenda Title: Chairman’’s Opening Remarks
Agenda Time: 09:00 - 09:10
Agenda Day: 09 November 2021

Senior Vice President,  CRU

Jorn P. de Linde was appointed to his current position following the merger between Resource Strategies Inc. and CRU International in April 1996. Based in the United States, he specialises in ferroalloys-related research, with particular emphasis on silicon-based alloys and electric power, drawing on 30 years of experience. In addition to the manganese ferroalloy cost data service, Mr de Linde is the principal author of CRU’s silicon metal market outlook and silicon cost data service reports. Mr de Linde also is a contributor to other CRU ferroalloy-related reports, including the Bulk Ferroalloys Monitor. He earned an MSc Degree in Mineral Economics from the Pennsylvania State University in the USA and holds an MBA (Siviløkonom) from the Norwegian School of Economics and Business Administration in Bergen, Norway.
Agenda Title: Chairman’’s Opening Remarks
Agenda Time: 09:00 - 09:10
Agenda Day: 09 November 2021

Chief Secretary,  China Si Metal Association

Haitian Ma is the Deputy Secretary-General of the China Silicon Association. Mr. Ma holds a master on Material Science of the University of Science and Technology Beijing. He has worked for the association since 2007. In recent years, Mr. Ma has led or participated in the research and draw-up of various silicon related industry policy and standards

Senior Analyst,  CRU

Li Wang is a senior analyst based in CRU Beijing covering Si metal and steel. Ms Wang holds a MSc in metallurgical engineering and has 15 years’ experience dedicating to industrial metal market analysis. She joined CRU in 2013 after seven years’ steel consulting work in HATCH Beddows. Ms Wang also worked on strategy development and risk management at Ping An bank in China. The rich work experience as well as technical education background enabled her to interpret Chinese market pertinently, precisely and predicatively.

Chief Secretary,  China Si Metal Association

Haitian Ma is the Deputy Secretary-General of the China Silicon Association. Mr. Ma holds a master on Material Science of the University of Science and Technology Beijing. He has worked for the association since 2007. In recent years, Mr. Ma has led or participated in the research and draw-up of various silicon related industry policy and standards

Senior Analyst,  CRU

Li Wang is a senior analyst based in CRU Beijing covering Si metal and steel. Ms Wang holds a MSc in metallurgical engineering and has 15 years’ experience dedicating to industrial metal market analysis. She joined CRU in 2013 after seven years’ steel consulting work in HATCH Beddows. Ms Wang also worked on strategy development and risk management at Ping An bank in China. The rich work experience as well as technical education background enabled her to interpret Chinese market pertinently, precisely and predicatively.

Advisor,  CRU

Greg Wittbecker is based in Pittsburgh. In this capacity he supports North American and Global fundamental aluminum analysis. Mr Wittbecker joined CRU in January 2018, following his retirement as Vice President, Industry Analysis, Alcoa. During his 14 years at Alcoa, he held director roles in analysis, logistics, recycling policy and corporate strategy. During 2016-2017, Mr Wittbecker was Managing Director of Alcoa China, Shanghai, where he led Alcoa’s comprehensive analysis of the Chinese upstream markets. Before joining Alcoa in 2003, he was Global Manager of Physical Metal Trading for Koch Supply & Trading. From 1988-2001, Mr Wittbecker served as Vice President, Wise Metals Group, responsible for risk management and primary metal trading. He began his career with Cargill Inc, holding a progression of operational and trading roles within grains, metals and ocean freight.
Agenda Title: The prospects for silicon metal use in aluminium alloys
Agenda Time: 11:30 - 11:55
Agenda Day: 09 November 2021

Business Analyst ,  Landsvirkjun
Heimir Thorisson is a business analyst at Landsvirkjun, the National Power Company of Iceland. The Business Analysis and Market Development team is responsible for analyzing the business environment of Landsvirkjun as well as markets relevant to its customers, such as the aluminium, silicon metal and power markets. Heimir has a decade of experience in research and analytics for various infrastructure sectors, including power, transportation, supply chain and logistics. He holds a Ph.D. in systems engineering from the University of Virginia.

Director EHS, Energy & Climate,  Euroalliages
Since 2006, in charge of EHS (Chemical Regulations, Industrial Emission Directive, transport regulations, …). Since October 2019, in charge of Energy & Climate. Between 2012 and 2016, Chair of a CEN ferro-alloys sub-group on "Greenhouse gas emissions in energy-intensive industries”.

Previously, 17 years’ experience in waste management, with 3 years at the European Commission, and 11 years at FOST Plus (Belgian Green Dot system on packaging wastes). Consultant for UNEP to draft a technical guideline on hazardous wastes.

Bio-Engineer with an additional Master in Biotechnology.

Trade Partner,  Baker McKenzie
Arnoud is a trade partner at Baker McKenzie and has over 25 years of experience as a respected and trusted advisor of entrepreneurs, executives, and diplomats with an extensive network. He helps clients to navigate through complex rules and in their decision-making processes, manage their risks, become more successful and proactive in their long-term planning and strategy.  Arnoud has been consistently recognized by various platforms as one of the key trade and customs lawyers in Europe/Belgium e.g. Lexology Client Choice Awards, Chambers, Best Lawyers, WhosWho Legal, WorldECR and in the last 15 years was ranked in the top band. In support of this ranking, clients referred to Arnoud as a “born strategist”, “visionary”, “tenacious”, “results driven”, and “pro-active”. Arnoud strives to make legal rules understandable for the company decision makers, look for practical solutions, break new ground support closing legal gaps, getting regulators to adapt or clarify rules to make them more useful, predictable, and uniform, and, where possible, create new rules

Director EHS, Energy & Climate,  Euroalliages
Since 2006, in charge of EHS (Chemical Regulations, Industrial Emission Directive, transport regulations, …). Since October 2019, in charge of Energy & Climate. Between 2012 and 2016, Chair of a CEN ferro-alloys sub-group on "Greenhouse gas emissions in energy-intensive industries”.

Previously, 17 years’ experience in waste management, with 3 years at the European Commission, and 11 years at FOST Plus (Belgian Green Dot system on packaging wastes). Consultant for UNEP to draft a technical guideline on hazardous wastes.

Bio-Engineer with an additional Master in Biotechnology.

Trade Partner,  Baker McKenzie
Arnoud is a trade partner at Baker McKenzie and has over 25 years of experience as a respected and trusted advisor of entrepreneurs, executives, and diplomats with an extensive network. He helps clients to navigate through complex rules and in their decision-making processes, manage their risks, become more successful and proactive in their long-term planning and strategy.  Arnoud has been consistently recognized by various platforms as one of the key trade and customs lawyers in Europe/Belgium e.g. Lexology Client Choice Awards, Chambers, Best Lawyers, WhosWho Legal, WorldECR and in the last 15 years was ranked in the top band. In support of this ranking, clients referred to Arnoud as a “born strategist”, “visionary”, “tenacious”, “results driven”, and “pro-active”. Arnoud strives to make legal rules understandable for the company decision makers, look for practical solutions, break new ground support closing legal gaps, getting regulators to adapt or clarify rules to make them more useful, predictable, and uniform, and, where possible, create new rules

Director of Engineering,  RIMA Industrial
Roberval Brito, Chemical Engineer – UFU - Universidade Federal de Uberlandia – Minas Gerais – Brazil.  Director of Engineering and R&D at Rima Industrial S/A Experience:  Career built at Rima Industrial for more than 22 years. Experience in all operations related to the production of Silicon Metal, Silicon Based Alloys, Primary Magnesium, Charcoal and Woodchips.

,  Soler
Philipp is of German origin, he has a Master’s Degrees in Chemistry and Business Administration and has been developing business actives in the field of climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation for 20 years. After working as VP Energy Transition with ENGIE in Latin America he joined the Agora Energiewende, a Think Tank where he acted as Program Lead to develop policy proposals for transforming the basic materials industry to climate neutrality. Based on this track record in climate strategy and policy development, he has now took up the role as international Business Development Director for the Soler Group.

Director of Engineering,  RIMA Industrial
Roberval Brito, Chemical Engineer – UFU - Universidade Federal de Uberlandia – Minas Gerais – Brazil.  Director of Engineering and R&D at Rima Industrial S/A Experience:  Career built at Rima Industrial for more than 22 years. Experience in all operations related to the production of Silicon Metal, Silicon Based Alloys, Primary Magnesium, Charcoal and Woodchips.

,  Soler
Philipp is of German origin, he has a Master’s Degrees in Chemistry and Business Administration and has been developing business actives in the field of climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation for 20 years. After working as VP Energy Transition with ENGIE in Latin America he joined the Agora Energiewende, a Think Tank where he acted as Program Lead to develop policy proposals for transforming the basic materials industry to climate neutrality. Based on this track record in climate strategy and policy development, he has now took up the role as international Business Development Director for the Soler Group.

Professor,  Materials Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Prof. Merete Tangstad took her MSc and PhD at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and has since 2004 been a professor at the same university. Previously she worked at Elkem and Eramet mainly focusing on Mn-ferroalloy production. Her main areas are silicon and ferroalloy production in Submerged Arc Furnaces ranging from raw materials, furnace operation and tapping. She has been co-authoring a number of books including Production of manganese ferroalloys (2007).

Professor,  Materials Technology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Prof. Merete Tangstad took her MSc and PhD at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and has since 2004 been a professor at the same university. Previously she worked at Elkem and Eramet mainly focusing on Mn-ferroalloy production. Her main areas are silicon and ferroalloy production in Submerged Arc Furnaces ranging from raw materials, furnace operation and tapping. She has been co-authoring a number of books including Production of manganese ferroalloys (2007).