Speakers

About our Event Speakers

We bring you accomplished leaders, authors, and advocates with proven achievements and visionary perspectives from diverse fields and experiences. Their expertise, innovative ideas, and forward-thinking strategies offer valuable insights to drive growth and achieve success.

Speakers at this Event

Kelvin Lee

Assistant Director

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

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Kelvin Lee

Kelvin Lee

Assistant Director

International Air Transport Association (IATA)

AGENDA SESSION

Effective SAF Policies – the essential ingredient for aviation decarbonization

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 10:00 AM

Panel Discussion: Harmonizing Feedstock Sustainability & Availability

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 02:25 PM

(Panel) SAF Adoption Roadmap in Asia: Aviation Supply Chain Perspective

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 04:25 PM

PROFILE

Kelvin Lee is Head of Sustainability for the Asia-Pacific region at the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA is the trade association for the world’s airlines, representing some 340 airlines or 80% of total air traffic. IATA supports many areas of aviation activity and helps formulate industry policy on critical aviation issues. In his role, Kelvin looks after environment and sustainability matters for the region. He works with governments and the wider industry to support member airlines in the transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to achieve the industry goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Kelvin has extensive experience in the aviation industry and has served in both government and airline roles before joining IATA.

Mr. Yohei Haneo

Manager, Business Transformation Promotion, Biomass Material Bus Div

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.

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Mr. Yohei Haneo

Mr. Yohei Haneo

Manager, Business Transformation Promotion, Biomass Material Bus Div

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.

AGENDA SESSION

Producing Bioethanol for SAF in Japan

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 11:30 AM

PROFILE

Will update soon

Mr. Clive Gibson

Senior Vice President, Director, Asia

NexantECA

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Mr. Clive Gibson

Mr. Clive Gibson

Senior Vice President, Director, Asia

NexantECA

AGENDA SESSION

Unlocking Green Fuels Opportunities for Refiners

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 11:55 AM

PROFILE

Clive Gibson is Senior Vice President, Energy & Chemicals Consulting and leader of NexantECA’s Asian consulting activities.  He has been based in Asia for 20 years and has travelled and worked extensively throughout the region covering oil & gas, petrochemicals and sustainability focused assignments.
Clive has over 30 years industry experience including over 25 years in the industry consulting sector.  During this time he has undertaken consulting assignments in more than 40 countries.  Typical assignments have included investment appraisals, strategy studies, project financing and M&A transactions, on behalf of a wide variety of project sponsors and financial institutions.  In the project finance sector, he has acted as technical, environmental and/or commercial advisor to several multi billion dollar project financings involving export credit agencies, commercial banks and multi-lateral agencies.
Prior to joining NexantECA more than 25 years ago, Clive spent six years working for ExxonMobil at Fawley Refinery, the largest refinery in the UK, where he undertook a number of operational and commercial roles.
Clive graduated from the University of Nottingham, England with a First Class Masters degree in Chemical Engineering.

Mr. Kentaro Ayai

Director

Four Pride Japan Co. Ltd.

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Mr. Kentaro Ayai

Mr. Kentaro Ayai

Director

Four Pride Japan Co. Ltd.

AGENDA SESSION

Unlocking the Potential of Pongamia - A Promising Candidate for Next-Generation Biofuel Feedstock

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 02:00 PM

PROFILE

He worked for Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) and its subsidiaries for 36 years, mainly in the corporate sector, including finance, corporate planning, and as Head of Investor Relations. After serving as General Manager of Corporate Communications of MOL and Director of MOL Chemical Tankers, he joined Four Pride Group in 2023.

Mr. Yisung Jung

Senior Manager, Biofuel & Feedstock

STX Corporation

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Mr. Yisung Jung

Mr. Yisung Jung

Senior Manager, Biofuel & Feedstock

STX Corporation

AGENDA SESSION

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 02:25 PM

Regional Policy Development on Fuel Decarbonisation in Aviation & Maritime: China, Japan, South Korea

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 09:10 AM

PROFILE

Yisung began his career as a fine chemical trader in 2011 and has been involved in biofuel business development and trading since 2019. He has pioneered UCO trading and studied the feasibility of HVO in Hyosung. 

In 2021, he moved to DS DANSUK (a Representative UCOME producer and exporter in Korea).  At DS , he has led and managed the HVO/SAF project through the Joint Venture with LG Chemical as Project Manager, in charge of planning feedstock procurement and the marketing of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

He also led the sustainable marine fuel development in 2024 in KPIC, and now he is leading the biofuel business at STX Corporation as project manager.

Mr. Takehiro Kawahara

Aviation Specialist

BloombergNEF

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Mr. Takehiro Kawahara

Mr. Takehiro Kawahara

Aviation Specialist

BloombergNEF

AGENDA SESSION

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Outlook

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 03:35 PM

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 04:25 PM

PROFILE

Takehiro joined BloombergNEF in December 2012 and has since covered a range of topics, including Japan’s renewable energy sector and distributed energy solutions for off-grid areas in emerging markets. In April 2021, he joined the Commercial Transport Team, where he specializes in aviation decarbonization. His research focuses on airline sustainability strategies, electric and hydrogen aircraft propulsion, and advanced air mobility.

 

Takehiro holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science from Lund University, Sweden, and a Bachelor’s degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from Tohoku University, Japan.

Ms. Azusa Nakajima

General Manager, Next-Generation Energy Development

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL)

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Ms. Azusa Nakajima

Ms. Azusa Nakajima

General Manager, Next-Generation Energy Development

Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL)

AGENDA SESSION

(Panel) Fuelling Decarbonisation: Industry’s Perspective on Bio & Low Carbon Fuels

Day 2 [Wed 21, May], at 09:55 AM

PROFILE

Azusa Nakajima is a General Manager, Next-Generation Energy Development Team, Carbon Solution Development Unit of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (MOL). She is responsible for overseeing the entire value chain of next-generation energy and upstream project investment. This Carbon Solution Development Unit was created in April 2024 to lead the forefront of the proactive movement towards realizing a decarbonized society with an aim to transform MOL from being a traditional shipping company to becoming a social infrastructure enterprise. Before being assigned for this position in May 2024, she was mainly involved in business development and project execution of LNG downstream projects, such as FSRU and LNG-to-Powership business.

Mr. Shunsuke Kawagishi

Senior Researcher

Mitsubishi Research Institute Inc

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Mr. Shunsuke Kawagishi

Mr. Shunsuke Kawagishi

Senior Researcher

Mitsubishi Research Institute Inc

AGENDA SESSION

GX Promotion Policy on Biofuel & Biomass Power Generation

Day 2 [Wed 21, May], at 01:40 PM

PROFILE

Shunsuke Kawagishi specializes in climate change policy and system design, technology and market research in related fields, and business support. In recent years, he has conducted numerous surveys in the fields of biomass and biofuels.

 

After graduated from the School of Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 2006, he joined Mitsubishi Research Institute in 2006. He seconded to the Global Environment Office of the Industrial Technology and Environment Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry from 2009 to 2012.

 

He was nominated to Expert Reviewer of the IPCC WG3 Fifth Assessment Report (2012), IPCC WG3 Sixth Assessment Report (2020), RIETI Consulting Fellow (2013).

 

He has been an expert nominated by the Japan (since 2020) to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection (CAEP) where contributed to the Long-Term Aspirational Goal Task Group and currently is contributing to the Working Group on CORSIA.

Dr. Takanobu Aikawa

Manager

PwC Consulting LLC

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Dr. Takanobu Aikawa

Dr. Takanobu Aikawa

Manager

PwC Consulting LLC

AGENDA SESSION

Rethinking Bioenergy Role in the Era of Divide

Day 2 [Wed 21, May], at 02:10 PM

PROFILE

Takanobu Aikawa has been in his current position in Tokyo, since July 2024.

 

As he has been working for deploying bioenergy with focusing on
sustainability issues, in April 2019, he was appointed as a member Biomass Sustainability Committee organized Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, which aims to develop sustainability requirements under the FiT scheme in Japan. He frequently works as an independent advisor for other ministries and local governments, as well as private companies.

 

He was previously employed as a senior researcher for Renewable Energy Institute from 2016 to 2024 as a bioenergy expert while leading its flagship research project to develop long-term scenario based on renewable energy.

 

He obtained his master’s degree in forest ecology from the Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University. In March 2016, Taka completed his doctorate in agricultural studies on the theme of human resources development policy in the area of forest management.

 

Mr. Patrick Buergi

Managing Director Japan

South Pole

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Mr. Patrick Buergi

Mr. Patrick Buergi

Managing Director Japan

South Pole

AGENDA SESSION

Carbon Removal Offerings from Bioenergy: Biochar & BECCS

Day 2 [Wed 21, May], at 03:50 PM

(Panel) Biocarbon & BECCS: Decarbonising the “Hard to Abate” Sector

Day 2 [Wed 21, May], at 04:30 PM

PROFILE

Patrick Buergi is a sustainability entrepreneur and expert with 22 of experience in carbon markets, climate policy, corporate sustainability and impact investing. He is a co-founder of both the myclimate Foundation in 2002 and South Pole in 2006. 

 

In mid 2022, Patrick relocated to Tokyo to lead the establishment of South Pole’s presence in Japan. In addition, Patrick also acts as a Senior Innovation Advisor within South Pole working across a portfolio of innovation and R&D initiatives, including Net Zero strategies, carbon removals (CDR), regenerative agriculture, plastic stewardship and digital growth opportunities, for example.

Mr. Keisuke Nakajima

Chairperson, Biomass Power Association; President & CEO

Marubeni Clean Power Corporation

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Mr. Keisuke Nakajima

Mr. Keisuke Nakajima

Chairperson, Biomass Power Association; President & CEO

Marubeni Clean Power Corporation

AGENDA SESSION

Welcome Remarks from Biomass Power Association

Day 3 [Thu 22, May], at 09:05 AM

PROFILE

Mr Keisuke Nakajima assumes the chairperson role for Biomass Power Association in April 2024; he is also the CEO of Marubeni Clean Power Corporation.
 
Started his career with Marubeni Corporation in 1994, developing infrastructure & power projects in the Middle East & African countries. Returned to Japan in 2019 as deputy GM of domestic power department, he was involved in the KAita Offshore wind power project development and Tottori hydro power project too.  And for the recent 4 years, he was th CEO of the business bureau at Gunma Prefecture.  The bureau has seen improvement in economics aspects as they have developed the PPA model for local produce for domestic market.

Mr. Daniel Lee Sang Won

Head of Biomass

Flame Asia Resources Pte Ltd

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Mr. Daniel Lee Sang Won

Mr. Daniel Lee Sang Won

Head of Biomass

Flame Asia Resources Pte Ltd

AGENDA SESSION

Regional Development in North Asia: Biomass & Bioenergy Demand

Day 3 [Thu 22, May], at 09:15 AM

PROFILE

Will update soon

Ms. Fiona Matthews

Director, Bioenergy

Hawkins Wright Ltd.

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Ms. Fiona Matthews

Ms. Fiona Matthews

Director, Bioenergy

Hawkins Wright Ltd.

AGENDA SESSION

Global Wood Pellet Market Outlook

Day 3 [Thu 22, May], at 11:00 AM

(Panel) Industrial Wood Pellet Markets

Day 3 [Thu 22, May], at 11:20 AM

PROFILE

Fiona is a bioenergy consultant and market analyst with fourteen years’ experience in the renewable energy industry. She joined Hawkins Wright in 2013 and is now responsible for overseeing the company's bioenergy activities. She is the co-author of Hawkins Wright’s market-leading Outlook for Wood Pellets service and Editor of the monthly Forest Energy Monitor. Fiona regularly undertakes consultancy projects for clients in Asia, Europe and North America on topics including wood pellet and biomass markets, sustainability, and energy policy. She has a degree in Physics from the University of York and is an APMP qualified Project Manager.

Mr. Mads Thomsen

Managing Director, Global Portfolio Management

CM Biomass Partners AS

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Mr. Mads Thomsen

Mr. Mads Thomsen

Managing Director, Global Portfolio Management

CM Biomass Partners AS

AGENDA SESSION

Day 3 [Thu 22, May], at 11:20 AM

PROFILE

Mads is the managing director for the world-leading value-adding biomass aggregator and producer, CM Biomass.

 

His role revolves around managing the global biomass portfolio (wood pellets in particular) together with the Deputy CEO of CM Biomass with a key focus on caretaking the company’s commercial activities in Europe and Asia. His activities strives towards balancing supply and demand through flexible and efficient logistics solutions in a market characterised by constant change and volatility, where adding value throughout the value chain from the suppliers to the end-users is considered vital. With a strong diversified portfolio along with a continued growth of own-production in the US, CM Biomass is positioned to expand its network further around the world.  

 

Before joining CM Biomass 5 years ago, he spent several years working within the shipping and commodity industry already back then focusing on energy commodities, in particular.

Mr. Carsten Huljus

Chief Executive Officer

Sustainable Biomass Program

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Mr. Carsten Huljus

Mr. Carsten Huljus

Chief Executive Officer

Sustainable Biomass Program

AGENDA SESSION

Day 3 [Thu 22, May], at 11:20 AM

PROFILE

Carsten Huljus is Chief Executive Officer of the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP), a not-for-profit multi-stakeholder organisation that has developed an independent third-party certification system to provide assurance that woody biomass is sourced from legal and sustainable sources. Initially trained as a forester he has been working in the voluntary sustainability certification sector with schemes like FSC, PEFC and SBP in global forest industries for more than 21 years, in various management positions.

Mr. Kenichi Kishi

General Manager

Daigas Gas & Power Solution

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Mr. Kenichi Kishi

Mr. Kenichi Kishi

General Manager

Daigas Gas & Power Solution

AGENDA SESSION

Importance of Fuel Feedstock Quality & Sustainability for the Japanese Bioenergy Growth

Day 3 [Thu 22, May], at 12:05 PM

PROFILE

Will update soon

Mr. Michael Wild

President / Principal of Wild & Partner KG

International Biomass Torrefaction Council (IBTC)

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Mr. Michael Wild

Mr. Michael Wild

President / Principal of Wild & Partner KG

International Biomass Torrefaction Council (IBTC)

AGENDA SESSION

Setting The Scene: Making Sense of the Array of Alternative Biomass: Biocarbon, Torrefied Biomass, Black Pellet, Biochar, Biocoal, etc

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 10:05 AM

(Panel) Industry’s Current Response & Moving Forward

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 04:35 PM

PROFILE

Michael Wild, economist and engineer by education, is active in renewable energies for practically his entire 30 years professional career and a frontrunner in the bioenergy sector. He developed biomass fired district heating systems, worked with and for IFIs and EC in renewable programs, established the first ever online trading platform for biomass, initiated the acceptance of PalmKernelShell as power plant fuel and organized the first ever shipment and continuous supply of PKS from Indonesia to Europe.
 
He lead the development of one of the first continuous torrefaction processes and holds since 10 years the presidency of the International Biomass Torrefaction Council IBTC. He is part of Austria’s delegation to IEA Bioenergy.

Ms. Lisa Schmidt

Secretary General

International Biomass Torrefaction Council (IBTC)

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Ms. Lisa Schmidt

Ms. Lisa Schmidt

Secretary General

International Biomass Torrefaction Council (IBTC)

AGENDA SESSION

Circularity of Biocarbon: The Key to Success

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 10:40 AM

PROFILE

Will update soon

Stephen Potter

CEO

Tecnored Desenvolvimento Tecnologico S.A.

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Stephen Potter

Stephen Potter

CEO

Tecnored Desenvolvimento Tecnologico S.A.

AGENDA SESSION

Usage & Applications in Today’s World: Metallurgical Sector (tbc)

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 11:25 AM

PROFILE

Will update soon

Mr. Brock Harrington

Global Biomass Sales Director

CPM

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Mr. Brock Harrington

Mr. Brock Harrington

Global Biomass Sales Director

CPM

AGENDA SESSION

Usage & Applications in Today’s World: Agglomeration (tbc)

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 11:45 AM

PROFILE

Brock Harrington has spent more than 35 years  in the Biomass and Waste Industry. He has been the Global Sales Director for Alternative Fuels and Industrial at CPM for 18 months. Brock was previously the President of Scotia Machinery in Indianapolis, USA where he sold CBI Grinders and chippers. Brock sits on the Board of the IBTC. He resides in Alberta Canada.

Mr. Yoshinobu Kusano

Representative Director

YK Partners Inc.

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Mr. Yoshinobu Kusano

Mr. Yoshinobu Kusano

Representative Director

YK Partners Inc.

AGENDA SESSION

Inclination & Key Considerations from the Japanese General Industrial Users

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 01:50 PM

PROFILE

Mr. John Teal

Vice President

TSI Inc

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Mr. John Teal

Mr. John Teal

Vice President

TSI Inc

AGENDA SESSION

Feedstock for Biocarbon: Availability & Applications (Panel Presentations)

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 02:15 PM

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 04:35 PM

PROFILE

Will update soon

Mr. Dominique Kuehner

Industry Director

ANDRITZ

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Mr. Dominique Kuehner

Mr. Dominique Kuehner

Industry Director

ANDRITZ

AGENDA SESSION

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 02:15 PM

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 04:35 PM

PROFILE

Dominique Kühner is an accomplished professional with over 25 years of experience delivering equipment, systems, and comprehensive solutions for various industrial applications in Mining/Minerals, Chemical, and Agriculture. After obtaining his Process Engineering degree from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich, he began his career as a Project Manager and Commissioning specialist at W. Kunz dryTec AG in 1996.
 
Mr. Kühner quickly advanced to the role of Managing Director before moving to GEA Barr-Rosin in 2006, where he served as a Senior Business Development Manager. In 2012, he relocated to the UK, assuming the role of global Director of Sales Responsibility.
 
Subsequently, in 2016, Mr. Kühner joined the Moret Industries Group as Director of Sales and Technology, initially supporting Promill S.A.S in France before transitioning to VetterTec Ltd in the UK.
 
In 2021, Mr. Kühner became part of ANDRITZ Feed & Biofuel as Industry Director for Biomass, Waste and Industrial Application. Leading a diverse global team spanning Denmark, The Netherlands, France, and Brazil, he is responsible for developing and executing the global strategy for Biomass, Waste, and other Industrial Applications within the ANDRITZ Feed & Biofuel product portfolio. Additionally, he spearheads the development and implementation of a Plant Solution-based approach optimized to meet the evolving needs of the company’s customers worldwide.

Christian Jirkowsky

General Manager

Polytechnik Biomass Energy Ltd

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Christian Jirkowsky

Christian Jirkowsky

General Manager

Polytechnik Biomass Energy Ltd

AGENDA SESSION

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 02:15 PM

PROFILE

Will update soon

Ms. Rachael Levinson

Associate Director

Hawkins Wright Ltd.

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Ms. Rachael Levinson

Ms. Rachael Levinson

Associate Director

Hawkins Wright Ltd.

AGENDA SESSION

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 04:35 PM

PROFILE

Rachael has been working in the bioenergy sector since 2014, joining Hawkins Wright in August 2017 where she contributes to Hawkins Wright’s monthly Forest Energy Monitor report, the quarterly Outlook for Wood Pellets service and the Asia Pacific Biomass report.
Prior to joining Hawkins Wright, Rachael worked at commodity price reporting agency Argus Media on its biomass editorial team. Her previous role involved price reporting, news coverage and in-depth analysis of the market with a focus on international trade. Prior to her work in bioenergy, Rachael spent five years reporting on and analysing the fixed income markets. Rachael holds a biological sciences degree from the University of Leicester.

Mr. David Hiel

Chief Commercial Officer

Wilhelmina NV

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Mr. David Hiel

Mr. David Hiel

Chief Commercial Officer

Wilhelmina NV

AGENDA SESSION

Installed Logistics and Outside Storage of steam exploded Pellets

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 04:10 PM

PROFILE

David is the Co-founcer of Dutch renewable energy company Maatschappij Wilhelmina NV - an innovative renewable energy company, turning agricultural waste streams into sustainable energy, while reducing coal consumption, CO2 and methane emissions.

 

The company is investing US$60 million (RM283 million) to build a TG2 black pellet plant, the first of its kind in the world, that uses empty fruit bunches (EFB) from oil palms as feedstock to produce drop-in coal replacement fuel in Malaysia.

Mr. Shutong Liu

Founder

MotionECO

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Mr. Shutong Liu

Mr. Shutong Liu

Founder

MotionECO

AGENDA SESSION

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 09:10 AM

Day 1 [Tue 20, May], at 02:25 PM

PROFILE

Shutong has a master degree from VU University Amsterdam in Environment and Energy studies. He started biofuel career at SkyNRG- the world’s first Sustainable Aviation Fuel provider back in 2011. Shutong is one of the first to export Chinese UCO to Europe. Since then he has been working in developing sustainable alternative fuel supply chain. In 2015, Shutong moved back to China and founded MotionECO, a company building sustainable supply chain and promoting biofuels in China. MotionECO provides consultancy, brokerage, advisory and EU-RED, CORSIA, ISCC/RSB  certification services etc. MotionECO covers biofuel for all trasnportaion sectors including, biodiesel, SAF, bio marine fuel and green methanol/ethanol etc.

Mr. KK Wan

Head of Alternative Energy, Bunker Department

Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical Co Ltd

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Mr. KK Wan

Mr. KK Wan

Head of Alternative Energy, Bunker Department

Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical Co Ltd

AGENDA SESSION

Day 2 [Wed 21, May], at 09:55 AM

PROFILE

With 10 years of bunker trading expertise in the Asia market at CPN, KK currently excels as the Head of Alternative Energy.

 

Following the MEPC 75 in 2020, he led his team to pioneer alternative fuels, concentrating on the Hong Kong market. Under his leadership, CPN debuted Hong Kong's first B24 Marine Biofuel supply in 2023, establishing CPN as the sole provider capable of satisfying the growing demand at the port.  His commitment to innovation and market acumen propels CPN's role in offering sustainable fuel solutions.