2024 ITA Annual Conference - Presentations
Global Met Coal Market Review with focus on Asia-Pacific Region
Ms. Siew Hua Seah, Argus Media, London, U.K.
Siew Hua Seah is the Senior Editor for Ferrous Markets at Argus Media. She oversees a team that spans Asia Pacific,
Europe and the Americas covering the iron ore, met coal, steel and metallics markets. In her 18 years reporting on
commodities, she has covered the thermal coal, bitumen, LNG, freight, fertilizers, iron ore and met coal markets.
In addition to her time at Argus, Siew Hua was a research fellow at the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies-Saudi
Aramco in 2014, researching Indonesia’s natural gas policies.
Global Coke Market Review – 2024
Mr. Andrew Jones – Resource-net, Cape Town, South Africa
Andrew Jones is an independent analyst and researcher on the mineral commodity
markets. He established Resource-Net in Brussels, Belgium in 1999. Resource-Net's
main interest lies in metallurgical reductants, producing regular research on
the global markets for:
- Metallurgical and foundry coke
- Anthracite for reduction applications, metallurgical coke replacements
- Metallurgical coals (coking, PCI)
Andrew has more than 20 years' professional experience, including periods of
employment at Metal Bulletin Research (London) and Standard Bank (Johannesburg).
Professional qualifications include an honours degree in metallurgy from the
University of Sheffield and a masters degree in multinational commerce from Boston
University Brussels.
Chinese Coke Industry Overview 2024
Shi Yanfeng, Chairman, China Coking Industry Association, Beijing, China
Shi Yanfeng, Senior Engineer, graduated from Dalian University of Technology in 1991 and majored in Coal Chemical.
1991-2005: Worked in Beijing Coking Chemical Works, engaged in Coking Technology, Environmental Protection, Foreign Trade
and Company Strategic Planning.
2006-2012: Worked in Sinochem International Corporation, engaged in Coke Trading, Project Investment Management, Overseas
Minerals Investment, and Safety Environmental Control. In Dec 2007, he has been hired as a committee member in Expert
Consultation Committee of China Coking Industry Association.
2012-now: Have been working in China Coking Industry Association, as Deputy Secretary General, Secretary General, and
President. Editor of “Guideline of Entering Coking Industry” (2014) and “Compliance Conditions of Coking Industry”
(2020); involved in amendments of industry standards and regulations, including “Index of Industrial Structure Adjustment
Guideline”, “Pollutant Emission Standards of Coking Chemical Industry”, “Energy Comsuption Limits for Specific Coking Products”,
and “Index of National Hazardous Waste” etc.; led the promotion of system optimization services for full coking process; organized
the compilation of series of group standards basis public interests - “Technological Procedures of Coking Process”.
Decarbonization Strategies in Steel with Special Thrust on Coke Making
Pushpa Ambrose, General Manager Safety, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)
- Pushpa Ambrose holds a B.Tech in Chemical Engineering, an MBA in Finance, and a PG Diploma in Industrial Safety and Fire Safety.
- Currently serving as the General Manager Safety at the new Steel Melting Shop-3 of Bhilai Steel Plant, a part of Steel
Authority of India Limited (SAIL).
- With expertise in managing thermal and hydraulic regimes of 7m tall Coke Oven Batteries, she has also led the construction
and rebuilding of battery complexes.
- Pushpa’s strategies have ensured 100% safety in gas line network maintenance through introducing U seals
and in steel melting shops through innovative approaches.
- Recognized with numerous awards including the National Young Women Trainer Award 1998, IIM’s MECON Award 2007,
Best paper award in 77th Annual Technical Meeting of The Indian Institute of Metals and International Conference
on Metals 2023, CEO Trophy for most innovative manager in 2015 and Best Safety Officer Award at BSP 2021 and 2023, her
contributions extend to numerous paper presentation on coke making improvements, decarbonisation strategies, and steel safety.
- As a distinguished faculty, Pushpa imparts knowledge on management, technical, and safety topics at BSP.
- She is a qualified and certified Independent Director aspiring to get on to the board of any renowned organisation as
Independent Director.
Japan: Steel, Coke & Coal Tar Production 2008 – 2024
Mr. Tim Bart, President of the International Tar Association
Mr. Tim Bart is the owner of Carbon Management International, a consulting company formed in 1999.
Since 2017, Mr. Bart has been working with Mr. Guercio reporting on carbon black feedstock through
the CBO Monitor publication. Prior to 2017, Carbon Management was primarily involved in global
coal tar and coal tar distillation, consulting and sourcing distillation products for related
downstream industries. Mr. Bart is also involved with the management of the International Tar
Association, serving as the association’s president since 2014. Mr. Bart received degrees in
Environmental Science, Masters of Business Administration, Masters of Communications and Masters
of International Relations from Rutgers University, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Seton
Hall University.
Mr. Vince Guercio, CTC International Inc., Montclair, NJ, USA
Vince Guercio has a chemical engineering degree and over 50 years’
experience in the international petrochemical, petroleum and natural
gas businesses. For the past 40 years, he has been an independent
consultant providing commercial and technical advice about the
interactions that occur at the refinery/LPG/petrochemical interfaces.
He specializes in the utilization of steam cracker byproducts such as
butadiene, C5s and carbon black oil (CBO). Due to his ethylene byproduct
experience, in 1982 Vince became heavily involved in carbon black
feedstock from naphtha crackers, FCCs and coal tar. Since then,
he has offered consulting services in the pricing, marketing,
evaluation and acquisition of CBO. Since 1988, he has published
the CBO MONITOR which provides reliable market intelligence about
worldwide CBO and carbon black. Vince was educated by Catholic
University of America, Princeton University and the U.S. Army.
His corporate experience includes Mobil Oil, Lummus and Foster
Wheeler.
Review & Outlook of Chinese Aluminum Industry
Dr. Fengqin Liu, Professor, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, China
Dr. Fengqin Liu is a Professor of Engineering and recipient of various
government subsidies as well as the National Technical Talent award.
She is the Technical Manager at the China Non-Ferrous Metal Mining (Group)
Co. Ltd.; Deputy Director of China Non-Ferrous Metals Institute Light
Metal Academic Committee; Director of Aluminum-used Carbon Research
Committee; and is a member of the China Non-Ferrous Metals Association
Expert Committee.
As the well-known expert in aluminum smelting and aluminum-used carbon
fields, Dr. Liu was in charge of setting up technological development
planning and standards for relative industries. She led dozens of major
scientific and technical projects at both provincial and national levels,
solving a series of technical problems in the aluminum smelting industry.
She hosted three international aluminum-used carbon conferences.
As a scientist and expert in her field, she was invited to visit and
conduct collaborative research in Australia, the U.S. and Switzerland,
and gave large-scale presentations at several international metallurgy
conferences.
Some of Dr. Liu’s published achievements include: “The Key Technology of
Quality Carbon Anode for Aluminum Smelting”, “The Integrated Technologies
to Improve the Life Span of Aluminum Smelting Cell”, “The Technology of
New Structure for Aluminum Smelting Cell”, and “The New Technology of
Wettable Cathode Production”. She is the recipient of the National Science & Technology Progress Award, has won the Provincial & Ministerial Award three times, and many other awards in recognition of her technological contributions and she has designed 50 national patents.
Dr. Liu is published in English as well: “Chinese Raw Materials for
Anode Manufacturing”, “Production Technology of Aluminum Smelting" and
“Production Technology of Aluminum-used Carbon” under the series of
China Non-Ferrous Metals book selection. She is also the main author of
the Carbon Volume for the “Encyclopedia of Metallurgy”, “Manual of
Aluminum Production Technology" and “Advances of Nonferrous Metals” and
has delivered over 40 papers on the importance of technical conferences
and journals both at home and abroad.
Global Aluminium and CTP Market Overview – 2024
Mr. Ravindra Panwar, CRU Group, Mumbai, India
Ravindra works as an Analyst at CRU Group in the Aluminum team focusing on the carbon products market. He is
responsible for global market analysis of carbon products (excluding China) and price assessments of coal tar,
coal pitch & calcined coke. He has five years of work experience in commodity research with a focus on
the energy and metals sectors. He holds a BSc in Science from HNBG University and an MBA in Oil and Gas
Management from the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies.
Coal Tar for Graphite – Towards Clean Energy Transition
Mr. Vikram Handa – Epsilon Carbon Pvt Ltd., India
Mr. Vikram Handa is a pioneering entrepreneur and global leader in the chemical and energy transition industry. He
founded Epsilon Group in 2010, which has become a key player in the carbon black and battery materials sector. Under
his leadership, Epsilon Carbon commissioned a state-of-the-art 320,000 tons specialty carbon facility in Bellary,
Karnataka in 2017 and entered the carbon black business with a capacity of 115,000 tons/year thereafter. This
Integrated Carbon Complex boasts a 10% lower carbon footprint compared to its global peers and is a zero-water
discharge facility. With expansion plans, Epsilon Carbon aims to be India’s 3rd largest carbon black producer with
215,000 tons/year by 2024. Through carbon black and specialty carbon products, it caters to industries such as aluminum,
carbon black, tires, mechanical rubber goods, graphite, specialty and construction chemicals, dyes, and pigments. The
company takes pride in its workforce of over 700 employees and its extensive global reach, exporting products to more than 29 countries.
Mr. Handa's leadership also extends to a committed corporate social responsibility through Epsilon Foundation which is
transforming the lives of over 500,000 people across India through impacting projects.
He holds a Bachelor of Engineering and Mathematics degree from Tufts University, USA and an OPM degree from Harvard Business School.
With a legacy of exceptional achievements and a dedication to driving positive change, Mr. Vikram Handa continues to be a
guiding force in the industry, shaping its future and leading Epsilon Carbon towards unprecedented success.
Carbon Black Feedstock Global Overview
Mr. Tim Bart, President of the International Tar Association
Mr. Tim Bart is the owner of Carbon Management International, a consulting company formed in 1999.
Since 2017, Mr. Bart has been working with Mr. Guercio reporting on carbon black feedstock through
the CBO Monitor publication. Prior to 2017, Carbon Management was primarily involved in global
coal tar and coal tar distillation, consulting and sourcing distillation products for related
downstream industries. Mr. Bart is also involved with the management of the International Tar
Association, serving as the association’s president since 2014. Mr. Bart received degrees in
Environmental Science, Masters of Business Administration, Masters of Communications and Masters
of International Relations from Rutgers University, Fairleigh Dickinson University and Seton
Hall University.
Mr. Vince Guercio, CTC International Inc., Montclair, NJ, USA
Vince Guercio has a chemical engineering degree and over 50 years’
experience in the international petrochemical, petroleum and natural
gas businesses. For the past 40 years, he has been an independent
consultant providing commercial and technical advice about the
interactions that occur at the refinery/LPG/petrochemical interfaces.
He specializes in the utilization of steam cracker byproducts such as
butadiene, C5s and carbon black oil (CBO). Due to his ethylene byproduct
experience, in 1982 Vince became heavily involved in carbon black
feedstock from naphtha crackers, FCCs and coal tar. Since then,
he has offered consulting services in the pricing, marketing,
evaluation and acquisition of CBO. Since 1988, he has published
the CBO MONITOR which provides reliable market intelligence about
worldwide CBO and carbon black. Vince was educated by Catholic
University of America, Princeton University and the U.S. Army.
His corporate experience includes Mobil Oil, Lummus and Foster
Wheeler.
Global Naphthalene Market Overview
Mr. Kris Truyens, Rain Carbon GmbH, Ghent, Belgium
Ir. Kris Truyens holds a MSc in bioscience engineering - chemical engineering from University of
Leuven. He joined Rain Carbon in 2010 and is heading Rain Carbon’s Chemical Intermediates business unit.
Decarbonization of the Steel Industry – end of Coal Tar? – A European Perspective
Dr. Zygmunt Stompel, Consultant, Katowice, Poland
Dr. Zygmunt Stompel received his MSc diploma in coal science from
Silesian Technical University in Gliwice, and immediately after
joined the Institute for Chemical Processing of Coal in Zabrze, where he
spent the next 20 years. In the Research & Development sector Dr. Stompel
specialized in processing of coal tar, with particular attention paid to
pitch and pitch coke. His PhD thesis (in 1978) was devoted to the subject of
manufacturing of pitch coke of improved graphitizability.
In 1991 Dr. Stompel left the Institute and has established a private company
Coal-Chem Engineers & Consultants. As a consultant he participated in several
international projects aimed at improving efficiency of coal tar industry in
Poland and abroad.
Dr Stompel taught coal tar science at Silesian Technical University in Gliwice
and Academy of Mining and Metallurgy in Krakow. He is active as a consultant on
coal tar matters for various Polish and international organizations.
East River Market Updates 2024 – Chinese Coal Tar and Coal Tar Pitch
Mr. Zhou Baogang, East River Asia Limited, Tianjin, China
Graduated from Tianjin Foreign Languages Institute and majored in International Trade.
1994 – 2002, worked in a famous international trading house named Nichimen
Corporation in Tianjin, China and deeply engaged in international business, including
machinery, auto parts, bearings, electric appliances and chemical products.
1992 – 2006, worked in JECT Corporation Beijing office, mainly working for all
kinds of carbon business, including Needle Coke, Graphite Electrode, Green Petroleum
Coke, Calcined Petroleum Coke, Metallurgical Coke, Foundry Coke, Coal Tar Pitch and
recarb etc. Heavily provided raw materials to steel, aluminum and chemical industries
with rich experience and technical knowledge.
Since 2007, worked in East River Asia Limited as consultant to provide professional
services to the customers all over the word with Chinese carbon and chemical industries.
China Electric Vehicle & Li-Battery Market Overview
Mr. Deng Xiaoxing, East River Asia Limited, Beijing, China
Deng Xiaoxing graduated from China Foreign Affairs College, majoring in
Business English. He has twenty years experiences of all kinds of carbon
business, including Met Coke, Foundry Coke, Green Coke, Calcined Coke,
Coal Tar Pitch, Anode, Cathode, Needle Coke, Graphite Electrode and
recarb etc. He is heavily involved in steel, coke, aluminum, and
chemicals industries and possesses a tremendous understanding and
technical knowledge of carbon industry and also has vast experiences
in logistics. 1992 - 2005, he was a key staff member in Nichimen
and JECT Corporation, a Japan based trading company, and positioned
as General Manager of the Beijing Office 2002-2005. He also set-up
a J/V tar distillation plant in China for JECT in 2003, and worked
as V.P. responsible for Pitch sales for both domestic and export
markets. 2005, he set up own company, focusing on consulting
services for the carbon and chemical industries.
Transformation Unfolds: From Growing Carbon Value Chain to Promising Mobility and Energy Storage Opportunity
Mr. Soumyodeep Bhattacharya, Himadri Speciality Chemical, Ltd., Kolkata, India
A production engineer by qualification, Soumyodeep Bhattacharya has more than three decades of rich and diverse experience of
working in the engineering, energy, and speciality chemical sectors across Indian and global markets. Starting his career in the
engineering projects industry, he moved to the energy and lubricants business with BP/Castrol where he worked in both the B2B
and B2C domains across diverse businesses in the group including leading a startup business in the renewable energy space. He
held various leadership roles during his sixteen-year tenure with BP. He then led the Primary Metals business for Quaker
Chemicals India. During this tenure , he served the Indian and Global Steel and Aluminum customers with Quaker’s speciality
chemical and lubricant solutions. Prior to joining Himadri Specialty Chemical Ltd as the Business Head for the Coal Tar Distillation
business, he led Zavenir Daubert India in delivering customized chemical and packaging solutions for metal protection applications. He
also has experience of working in the carbon black and flexible packaging industrial segments.
In his current role, he is responsible for managing the complete value chain of the CTD business and is also a member of the senior management team of Himadri.
Soumyodeep is a sports enthusiast with soccer and running being among his favorites.
He has been an active participant of various industry associations and looks forward to working with the ITA.