Zak van der Westhuizen

Sales Manager
Metix (part of SMS group)

Zak van der Westhuizen is a distinguished Mechanical Engineer. With a robust career spanning the petroleum, mining, minerals, and metals industries, Zak has consistently demonstrated expertise and leadership in engineering development and project management. Employed at Metix, he oversees global sales and marketing activities related to pyrometallurgical process plant solutions and engineering services. His work involves the application of advanced reduction furnace technologies across various sectors, including ferrous and non-ferrous metals, waste recycling, slag conditioning and valorisation, as well as the green iron and steel industries. Presently, Metix is supplying two of the world’s largest rectangular open bath furnaces to produce hydrogen-based green steel, as part of a groundbreaking multibillion-euro contract awarded by a leading steel producer in Germany.

Richard Rast

CEO
Highland Materials, Inc.

Richard Rast leads the Highland team and partners who are focused on product validation, engineering/construction, plant operations, supply and offtake, and financing/funding. Prior to Highland, Rast started, developed, and subsequently sold three successful businesses. His technical expertise includes planning, design, construction and operation of large-scale manufacturing, industrial and commercial facilities; facility decarbonization, renewable energy development; environmental compliance and remediation. Financial expertise includes debt, tax equity, incentives, and private equity. He is a graduate of Georgia Tech.

Marco Levi

Chief Executive Officer
Ferroglobe

Marco Levi is Chief Executive Officer of Ferroglobe PLC, global leading producer of Silicon Metal and Ferroalloys since January 2020. Previously, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Ahlstrom-Munksjö Oyj, a global fiber materials company. Prior to that, he was Senior Vice President and Business President at Styron and spent over 22 years at Dow Chemical, in various departments and roles, ultimately serving as General Manager. Marco serves on Mativ’s Board of Directors and has held directorships in various companies. He holds a PhD in Industrial Chemistry from the Università degli Studi di Milano, Statale, in Italy.

Daniel Bajolet

Lead Engineer
ACMI

-       Lead Engineer at ACMI

-       Former Senior Advisor to the CEO of ChemChina/Bluestar

-       Former Senior Vice President of Rhodia Silicone, W.W. Director of Manufacturing

Bob Lambrechts

Secretary General
EUROALLIAGES

For more than 25 years he has represented industries on Belgian and European level in different stakeholders’ platforms, but mainly towards governments. Based on a vast experience of the metal markets and industries and a strong network in many sector associations in Brussels, Mr Lambrechts is proud to lead the association of silicon and ferro-alloys producers in Europe. In his previous job, Mr Lambrechts worked as director trade and market intelligence in European Aluminium association, with a large focus on Trade Defense cases. He is an economist by background with a Master of Arts in Econometrics from the Catholic University of Leuven.

Dr Till Reek

CTO
Tokai Cobex GmbH

Dr. Till Reek is the Chief Technology Officer at Tokai COBEX, a global leader in carbon and graphite solutions for the aluminum and metallurgical industries. He holds a degree in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering from RWTH Aachen University and earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of New South Wales in Sydney. At Tokai COBEX, Dr. Reek leads the company's technological innovation and sustainability efforts, including carbon footprint assessments for graphitized cathodes. His work focuses on advancing environmentally responsible production methods and supporting the company's strategic vision for greener industrial solutions.

Benoist Ollivier

CTIO & Deputy CEO
Ferroglobe

Dr. Benoist Ollivier is the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer and Deputy CEO at Ferroglobe. With over 35 years of experience in technical and operational roles at both plant and corporate levels, he brings deep industry expertise and leadership. Dr. Ollivier holds multiple Master of Science degrees in Geology and Engineering Design, as well as a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry.Previously serving as Chief Operating Officer of Ferroglobe, he has built a strong technical foundation through diverse roles in production and operations. In his current position, he oversees Innovation, Technology, Continuous Improvement, Sustainability, and EH&S.

Gabriella Tranell

Professor
NTNU

MSc, Geotechnology, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, 1992 PhD, Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Australia, 1999 Senior Researcher/Research Manager, SINTEF, Norway, 1999-2008 Professor, Process Metallurgy, NTNU, Norway, 2009-

Casper van der Eijk

Senior Scientist
SINTEF

Casper van der Eijk is senior researcher in the Process Metallurgy and Raw Materials group at SINTEF. SINTEF is a research institute in Norway with over 2000 employees. Casper has a M.Sc. degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Delft University of Technology (1994). Besides that, he has a Ph.D. in Metallurgy from The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (1999). He is the centre director for the “Zero Emissions Metal Production” research centre in Norway.

Anne Gry Messenlien

R&D Engineer
Elkem

Anne Gry Messenlien is R&D engineer at Elkem Technology with a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from NTNU, Norway.   Anne Gry has a key role in the Elkem Sicalo® project as deputy project manager. Previously, she has been leading innovative projects which paved the way for the EU Horizon MECALO project. In MECALO she leads a work package focused on developing new raw materials for metal production using pyrolytic carbon. Her expertise extends to carbon management developing the company's scope 3 methodology for the total value chain and performing Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) for Elkem’s smelters.

Harry Rong

Senior Specialist, Silicon
Elkem

Dr. Harry M. Rong has a PhD in Inorganic chemistry in 1992 from the Technical University of Trondheim (NTH), Norway. He joined Elkem in 1991 and except for a short stay as Research Manager at SINTEF in 1996-1997 ha have had several positions in the Elkem organization. He 40 years experience with silicon related topics and he has worked with application of silicon, conversion of ferrosilicon furnaces, production in silicon furnaces, refining of silicon, leaching and purification of silicon, LCA calculations for silicon production, etc. He is founder (together with Professor H. A. Øye) of the conference series Silicon for the Chemical and Solar Industry.

Lukasz Banasik

Member of the Board, CTO
ReAlloys

Dr. Reiner Haus

Managing Director
Dorfner ANZAPLAN GmbH

For decades Dr. Haus´s focus is on specialty minerals and rare metals with a strong academic background in Engineering Geology and Mineral Processing. After his PhD he held senior research manager positions at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Germany and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, Mass.In 2000 he was appointed Managing Director and in 2010 became shareholder of Dorfner Anzaplan GmbH, a leading independent analytical, consulting and engineering firm in critical minerals and metals based in Germany with projects globally. Dr. Haus completed his EMBA in 2005 and recently became Chairman of newly established ANZAPLAN UK, based in Great Britain.

Arnoud Willems

Partner
King & Spalding LLP

Arnoud Willems is a Partner in the International Trade Team of King & Spalding. Arnoud advises clients on all aspects of trade law, including trade remedies, customs, trade compliance, and trade agreements. With over 30 years of experience, he is a trusted adviser to entrepreneurs, executives, and diplomats with an unparalleled network. Arnoud deeply understands how trade rules shape global flows of capital, investment, goods, technology, and services, especially with respect to competitiveness, and the application of trade rules to various sectors. He helps clients navigate complex rules, manage their risks, and become more successful in their long-term strategy.

Alex Christopher

Senior Analyst
CRU

Alex joined CRU in June 2021 and is a Senior Analyst in the Aluminium Team, based in London. He has previous experience in the CRU Multi Commodity Team and as an Exploration Geologist working for a private equity group with global interests. At CRU, Alex is part of the Aluminium team; he is responsible for primary aluminium supply analysis and the Aluminium Long Term Market Outlook. During his time in the Multi Commodity Team, he was responsible for the day-to-day delivery of content to strategic partner Fitch Ratings, the delivery of cross-commodity insights and analysis as well as a regular support for projects across the business. As a mineral exploration geologist Alex worked on projects in multiple mining jurisdictions including Sweden, Norway, Ireland, Montenegro and Arizona. During this time, he was exposed to several different mineral deposits and commodities, including gold, zinc, lead, silver, nickel, copper and cobalt. Alex holds an MSc in Mining Geology from the Camborne School of Mines (University of Exeter) and an MSci in Geoscience with A Year of International Study from Royal Holloway, University of London. His International Year was spent at the University of Toronto. Alex also serves on the Executive Committee of Young Mining Professionals (YMP) London  a chapter of growing international association of young mining professionals.

Peter Handley

Founder
PHASE32

Consultant specialising in sustainability and resilience as founder of PHASE32. External senior advisor with McKinsey & Company. Senior fellow with the European Initiative for Energy Security. Strategic advisor with the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. Senior associate with the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Special advisor to the Global Council forResponsible Transition Minerals. Fonner European Commission official - deputy director and head of unit responsible for energy-intensive industries and raw materials in DG GROW.

Valdiney Domingos

CEO & Founder
Si&MEx Solutions GmbH

Dr Bhakta Hari Agasti

Representative Partner
Carbon Partners AS

I am a metallurgist having more than 35 years  out of which  26 years of practical experiences in operating different  Ferro alloys furnaces in different parts of the World such as in India, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia and in Middle East as well installing the different furnaces around the world with world class technology suppliers. I am instrumental in reviving two Organizations from the verge of bankruptcy to the most profitable unit during my career. For last ten Years, working in developing the business  in best raw materials supply to the  Silicon and other Ferro alloys industry.

Kari Maris Guðmundsson

CEO
PCC BakkiSilicon

James (Jim) Brosnan

Principle
Silicon & Ferroalloy Consulting

After working as Commissioning Manager in the Submerged Arc Furnace Division of Mannesmann Demag for a number of years, Jim joined SIMCOA Operations in Australia after overseeing the commissioning of their silicon furnaces. He held a number of roles at SIMCOA, including Smelter Manager, Technical Manager, General Manager Operations and Vice President Operations. Since 2013, Jim has been working as an independent consultant, providing advisory services to existing producers and new projects in the silicon industry. These services include troubleshooting I process optimisation for existing operations and project support from prefeasibility through to commissioning for new projects.

Philipp D. Hauser

Head of E2 Carbon Council
Biochar Europe / E2 Carbon Council

Philipp D. Hauser holds Master’s degrees in Chemistry and Business Administration with a focus on Environmental Finance. With over 20 years of experience in climate policy and greenhouse gas mitigation—including roles at EcoSecurities, ENGIE, Agora Industry, and SOLER—he now works independently on climate-smart forestry and carbon management. As founder of the E² Carbon Council, he advises companies, governments, and civil society on integrated carbon strategies. Through his work with Biochar Europe, he advances the use of biochar and biocarbon as strategic levers for climate neutrality, industrial resilience, and European competitiveness—engaging with EU institutions, national regulators, industry leaders, and civil society.

Merete Tangstad

Professor
NTNU

Merete Tangstad graduated as a metallurgist at NTNU in 1989 and also received her doctorate from the same institution. She worked in the period 1990-2004 at Elkem and Eramet with the production of ferroalloys. Since 2004 she has been a professor at NTNU and works mainly with the production of ferromanganese alloys, the production of silicon and ferrosilicon and new refining processes for solar cell silicon.

Yidan Wang

International marketing and sales
LAPSEN

Director of International Liaison Office - Silicon Subsection of China Iron and Steel Association Director of the External Liaison Office - China Lime Association Head of international sales, LAPSEN GROUP 14 years working experience in Metallurgical industry, lime and cement industry and ferroalloy industry

Jorn de Linde

Senior Vice President
CRU

Jorn P. de Linde was appointed to his current position following the merger between Resource Strategies Inc. and CRU in April 1996.Based in the United States, Jorn specialises in ferroalloys-related research, with particular emphasis on silicon-based alloys and electric power, drawing on 30 years of experience. He is the principal author of CRU's Silicon Metal Market Outlook and Silicon Cost data service reports.Jorn is also a contributor to other CRU ferroalloy-related reports, including the Bulk Ferroalloys Monitor.Jorn 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.

Simon Price

Director, Energy Transition
CRU

Simon more than 25 years' experience in the renewable energy and technology sectors, as a business and technology analyst, CEO, and editor of several business publications.

Rick Costantino

Co-Founder and CTO
Group14 Technologies

Rick Costantino is CTO and co-founder of Group14 Technologies, the world’s leading commercial manufacturer and supplier of advanced silicon battery technology for consumer electronics, electric vehicles and more. Group14 is ushering in the silicon battery era with its transformational material, SCC55™, which is bringing the power of AI to the forefront of personal computing and our increasingly mobile lives. Group14 is rapidly scaling its global manufacturing capabilities to help address the growing demand for energy.   Rick has more than 30 years of experience developing stable, high-performance products at the molecular level, spanning chemical and biopharmaceutical industries for companies such as Genentech, Alkermes, and Nastech.

Rick’s efforts have culminated in numerous commercial products, from marketed therapeutics to electrode materials for advanced ultracapacitors and lead acid batteries. Rick holds more than 60 U.S. patents and has more than 50 publications. Prior to founding Group14, he served as the VP of research and development at EnerG2. Previously, Rick served as the CSO of delivery at MDRNA Inc. and CSO at G2B Pharma. Rick holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from M.I.T. and a B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University.

Hongguang Zhu

Deputy director of the project management department
Dalian Heavy Mechanical & Electrical Equipment Engineering Company, Ltd

Zhu Hongguang, a senior project manager for international ferroalloy smelting process line with 7 years of marketing and project management experience and 10 years of work experience in the field of heavy machinery and equipment products, who has signed and managed multiple large-scale ferroalloy smelting plant construction projects, such as the EP+installation project for 4 sets of 36MVA ferrosilicon furnace project in Kazakhstan, 2 sets of 22.5MVA ferromanganese silicon & Ferromanganese smelting projects in the Middle East, 39MVA ferrosilicon furnace equipment supply project, etc. As the Deputy Director of the Project Management Department, currently leading the team to mainly explore the international ferroalloy smelting project market and looking forward to establishing contacts and cooperation with more industry experts and colleagues!

Rolf Hartmann

Chief Procurement and Supply Chain Officer
Hemlock Semiconductor Operations, LLC

Rolf is responsible for defining and executing Hemlock Semiconductor’s procurement and supply chain roadmap, assuring successful operational performance of the company’s suppliers, understanding demand for HSC products in key global markets, and aligning capabilities to the current and future needs of the enterprise. 

Rolf brings more than 25 years of experience to his role at HSC, including more than a decade as a senior executive for major manufacturers around the world.  Prior to his engagement at HSC, Rolf served as Global Procurement Director – Indirect Goods and Services for FMC Corporation, a global agricultural sciences company based in Philadelphia with operations in 50 countries. At FMC he was responsible for indirect spending of approximately $1.9 billion and for the company’s Global R&D, Operations and CAPEX, Professional Services and Logistics teams.  Prior to his work at FMC, he led global procurement for The Chemours Company, a global chemical producer with 35 manufacturing and laboratory sites worldwide that serve customers in approximately 120 countries. Rolf’s manufacturing career includes a 17-year stint with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), where he served in various procurement and supply chain roles in Puerto Rico and Costa Rica, culminating in his executive role as head of global procurement based in Philadelphia. Prior to his work at GSK, he directed Secondary Packaging and Raw Materials Purchasing/LATAM for Procter & Gamble based in Mexico.  Rolf also is a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University and Drexel University.