Overview
The 59th Annual Meeting of EPCA was held in Berlin, Germany from 22-25 September 2025. Visit the event website HERE.
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For decades, stability has allowed our industry to plan with confidence. Today, the ground is constantly shifting - geopolitical shocks, volatile energy markets, lack of investment, talent shortage and the accelerating push for sustainability have created unprecedented complexity. Add to this the increasing pressure of deindustrialization in Europe, and companies find themselves in a "management pressure cooker" where short-term urgencies collide with long-term requirements, requiring constant recalibration.
At the 59th Annual Meeting, we will explore how businesses can thrive in turbulent times by embedding agility, resilience, and reinvention into their core strategies. From navigating geopolitical challenges and regulatory shifts, to rethinking supply chain resilience and accelerating sustainable solutions, leaders must adopt a dynamic approach to stay ahead.
Join us at EPCA’s 59th Annual Meeting, where industry leaders will chart the path forward. Engage with over 2,500 professionals from 100+ companies, gain insights from global experts, and help shape a future where Europe’s petrochemical industry remains competitive, secure, and at the forefront of global innovation.
View the photos taken - Photos here (Flickr).
Catch up on the available sessions via our YouTube playlist or access the presentations here.
Program
EPCA's Annual Meeting theme "Thrive through Turbulence" aims to create a dialogue between all stakeholders to explore crucial topics for the petrochemical sector. The program has a diverse range of topics and renowned speakers lined up for each day.
Program
DAY 0 | Monday, 22 September 2025
14:00 - 16:50 | EPCA Workshop: Beyond Boundaries - Rethinking Leadership
In a time of changing global dynamics and increasing regional complexity, our industry needs to evolve not only its operations but also its leadership.
Speakers:
- Margit Farkas, People Consulting leader, EY Hungary
- Veronika Tóth, Manager, People Consulting, EY Hungary
Presentation: Download the PDF.
DAY 1 | Tuesday, 23 September 2025
08:00 - 09:30 | EPCA Session: Shaping the Future in a World of Change (Opening & Leadership Forum)
Welcome by EPCA’s President - Richard Roudeix
Moderator: Ian Young, Editor-in-chief, Chemical Week by S&P Global
Keynotes & Panel Debate:
- Noreena Hertz, Bestselling Author, Thought Leader, Economist, Professor, Board Member
- Thierry Breton, former European Commissioner for the Internal Market
- Anthony Gooch Gálvez, Secretary General, European Round Table for Industry (ERT)
Presentation: This session was presented both on-site and via livestream. In accordance with the speaker's wishes, no presentation will be made available.
Partial replay: View it on YouTube HERE.
10:30 - 12:00 | Chemical Market Analytics session: Rebalancing in a Fractured World: Navigating the New Industrial Order
Moderator: Steve Lewandowski, Vice President, Global Olefins & Derivatives Team Lead
Speakers:
- Energy Trilemma: Rebalancing Priorities Towards Security and Affordability Over Sustainability
Carlo Barrasa, Vice President, Energy Markets
- Geopolitical Instability: Reshaping Trade and Capital Flows
Raheel Shafi, Vice President, EMEA and APAC Consulting
- Beyond The Trough: Entering The Next Phase of the Game
Nick Kovics, Vice President, Global Inorganic Chemicals Team Lead
- Demand Disruptors: Redefining Growth
Kaushik Mitra, Executive Director Polyolefins, EMEA
- Europe Rationalization: Assessing Industrial Resilience in a Changing Market
Duncan Clark, Vice President, Global Aromatics and Fibers Team Lead
- China Self-Sufficiency: Redefining Global Trade Dynamics and Competitiveness
Matthew Thoelke, Vice President, Olefins EMEA
Presentation: Request the presentation using this FORM.
Replay: View it on YouTube HERE.
13:00 - 14:30 | Gold sponsor DP World session: Futureproofing Chemical Supply Chains Through Strategic Collaboration
Moderator: Ryan Chilcote – International Journalist & Broadcaster
Keynote:
- Navigating the New Chemicals Reality – Futureproofing Supply Chains Through Vertical Integration
Kai Olschner, Global VP – Supply Chain Engineering, DP World
Panel:
- Kai Olschner, Global VP – Supply Chain Engineering, DP World
- Markus Kanis, Global SVP – Vertical Industry Lead, Chemicals, DP World
- Hans van den Bosch, Senior Director – Road Freight, Central Europe, DP World
- Yana Popkostova – Energy & Geopolitics Expert
Presentation: Download the PDF.
Replay: View it on YouTube HERE.
15:30 - 17:00 | Gold sponsor S&P Global session: Charting Opportunities in Turbulent Waters
Speakers:
- Andrew Neale, Vice President Chemicals, Derivatives
- Andy Orszynski, Director Olefins
- Daniel Pelosi, Senior Price Reporter, Aromatics
- Davi dos Santos, Price Reporter
- Harry Thomas, Director Inorganics
- Ian Young, Editor-in-Chief, Chemical Week
- Katie Elliot, Director Aromatics
- Luke Milner, Associate Editorial Director, Chemicals
- Maria-Eleni Tsimeki, Manager, Price Reporting, Chemical Intermediates
- Olivier Maronneaud, Director Methanol and Sustainability
Presentation: Request the presentation using this FORM.
Replay: View it on YouTube HERE.
DAY 2 | Wednesday, 24 September 2025
08:00 - 09:30 | EPCA Session: Tomorrow's Advantage - Practical Insights for Future-Proofing Supply Chains
Moderator: Sanja C. Magdeburg, Chairperson SCPC at EPCA and Vice President Supply Chain EMEA, Brenntag Specialties
Speakers:
- Ann Vereecke, Professor, Vlerick Business School
- Tabita Verburg, Area President Dow Benelux, France, Iberica, UK and Nordics, Chair Board, Dow Benelux
- Hans Augusteijn, President, Stolt Tank Containers
Presentation: Download the PDF.
Replay: View it on YouTube HERE.
11:00 -11:45 | Silver sponsor North Sea Port session: Beyond borders and businesses: Synergies for a resilient chemical industry
Presentation & Moderator:
Wouter Vos, Commercial Manager, North Sea Port
Panelists & Keynotes:
- Armin Vogelaar, Business Manager BE & NL, SGS
- Dr. Kapil Shyam Lokare, Co-founder & CEO, Terra Mater
- Manon Bloemer, Director, VNCI
- Tine Cattoor, Director Product Policy and Secretary General LAB and Industrial Gases, Essenscia
Presentation: Download the PDF.
Replay: View it on YouTube HERE.
13:30 -14:15 | Silver sponsor Argus Media session: Thriving Through Feedstock Turbulence in a Changing Energy Market
Join moderator Chuck Venezia and panellists Sarah Rae, Craig Barry, and Alan Williamson for a forward-looking discussion on how to turn uncertainty into strategic advantage amid today’s shifting market dynamics.
Presentation: Request the presentation using this FORM.
Replay: View it on YouTube HERE.
DAY 3 | Thursday, 25 September 2025
08:00 - 09:30 | EPCA Competing for tomorrow - Thrive towards Net Zero & Closing
Moderator: Michiel Stork, Director, Guidehouse
Speakers:
- Christopher M. Cain, Senior Vice President, HSE and Net Zero Transition, LyondellBasell
- Rafael Cayuela, Corporate Chief Economist and EMEAI Strategy Development Senior Director, Dow
- Lena Nordgren, Public Affairs and Sustainability Specialist, Sekab
- Gerd Loehden, Senior Vice President R&D Smart Materials, Evonik
- Daniel Sudhoff, Head of Process Development and Plant Support, Evonik
- Jan-Martin Rhiemeier, Director, Guidehouse
- Norbert Mahr, Director of the Supplier CO₂ Management Program, BASF
Presentation: Download the PDF
Replay: View the partial replay on YouTube HERE.
Sponsors & Partners
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Alchemy by  |  |  |
| ICIS Chemical Business |  |  |
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Flight Offers
| Meeting Destination Berlin |
Brand Awareness & Thought Leadership
You have the expertise, you lead the game, you make a positive impact on the world – let people know.
Place your company under the industry spotlight at the EPCA Annual Meeting. Be recognized as an EPCA sponsor!
Important! All sponsorships are available to EPCA member companies in good standing and sold on a first come first served basis!
Discover the sponsorship package that’s right for you. Learn more HERE.
FAQ
Sustainability practices at #EPCA59
We aim to organize the 59th Annual Meeting of EPCA as green event according to the German Eco-label guideline for Green Meetings & Green Events.
Climate change is not a myth and natural resources are finite. Responsible consumption and production are at the core of the UN’s SDG 12. At EPCA we want to contribute to a clean future by choosing whenever possible sustainable and green venues, suppliers and products. SDG 12 goes hand in hand with SDG 13, which is a call to take immediate action to combat climate change and its impact. As we know that the Annual Meeting has a significant impact on the environment, this is also where we can make the biggest difference. Here’s what we do to support this goal:
#EPCA59 is paperless - Avoid unnecessary use and distribution of paper collaterals
Materials and waste: Whether printed or digital, all communication has an impact. The collateral produced for an event is an important contributor to its environmental footprint. The flyers, banners and other needed communications have an impact that depends on their volumes, materials used, finish and format. Furthermore, promotional material, in various forms by company members and different publications, that were frequently distributed at EPCA's Annual Meeting had an environmental footprint in its production phase and contributed to the event’s waste. As a big portion (80%+) of this was discarded at former EPCA events our Annual Meeting is since 2022 paperless.
SDG: 
A meaningful contribution to the community
From EPCA:
Rather than organizing traditional giveaways, EPCA has chosen to make a purposeful contribution by donating these funds to a local charity - creating a lasting and unique impact.
This year, we support Science on Stage:
The shortage of skilled workers is a pressing issue across Europe. Teachers play a crucial role in closing the STEM skills gap. Through creative approaches and hands-on learning, they inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, while equipping them with vital skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork.
By supporting this non-profit network - reaching 100,000 STEM educators across more than 30 countries - EPCA's donation helps shape the future and spark the next generation of innovators.
SDG: 
Support initiatives from EPCA members
S&P Global Commodity Insights x NABU Volunteering in Berlin
Ahead of this year’s Annual Meeting, S&P Global Commodity Insights partnered with the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) for a volunteering activity in Berlin. The team spent the afternoon of 21 September 2025 supporting the preservation of a unique Ice Age sand dune landscape, an ecological site home to species such as the praying mantis. By helping to clear invasive plants, the volunteers contributed to maintaining the natural balance of this rare habitat. This initiative was a meaningful way to give back to the city of Berlin, which so warmly hosts the EPCA community.
SDG: 
Offsetting our carbon footprint
EPCA plants trees in partnership with activities in the destination or by supporting WeForest to offset the carbon footprint of our activities. WeForest restores threatened forests and landscapes in tropical regions and biodiversity hotspots. Their focus is the well-being of the communities where they work.
SDG:
Efforts related to the venue and F&B
Reducing food waste, water and energy consumption; we encourage all delegates to support the recycling of materials during and post-event.
Official Opening Walking Dinner on Monday 22 September 2025: In order to raise awareness of food waste, EPCA is asking all delegates to make a sensible choice as to whether or not they will be able to attend the dinner. Please only select the option to attend if you are sure that you will be able to join us. EPCA may charge a (no-show) fee to encourage delegates to honour their commitment. This initiative aims to reduce food waste caused by delegates who do not attend the dinner.
Please use selective waste units in all hotels where provided and refrain from single-use packaging during your stay in Berlin.
SDG:
Stimulate the EPCA community to take action
We ask our attendees, partners and sponsors to make conscious choices when it comes to transport, travel, collaterals, food, water and electricity consumption.
Sustainable Meetings Berlin initiative
 | View: VisitBerlin Sustainable Event Guidelines |
| View: EPCA's Sustainable Event Berlin Application | |
| Questions? Contact: Johann Lenhart, CEO, EPCA |
We wholeheartedly thank you for your active participation in our endeavor to foster
"Thrive through Turbulence"!