TOPIC: Industry must prepare for CCUS and hydrogen now

Ian’s work on the commercialisation of technologies in the metal, glass, chemistry, steel and energy markets focusses on the decarbonisation of industry and industrial processes using hydrogen and industrial gases. He has more than 20 years’ experience working for BOC.

Ian is an active member of the BEIS Sector development working group, BEIS HAC research and innovation working group, Hydrogen UK Industry and Jobs and Skills working groups, BLA Hydrogen project steering group and the HFCA combustion working group.

TOPIC: Clean growth, a region-wide approach

Ahead of the publication of the region’s Net Zero strategy, Chris will explain the five key areas of activity necessary for Tees Valley to reach Net Zero, and how we can grasp the economic opportunities they create.

Chris leads on TVCA’s support for the industrial cluster, decarbonisation, clean energy, and innovation. He has had a varied career covering mechanical engineering in the renewable energy and automation sectors, software, communications, and public policy.

TOPIC: H2NorthEast: Producing low carbon hydrogen at scale on Teesside

In his presentation, Dave will provide an overview of Kellas’ CATS facility at Seal Sands where the company’s ground-breaking low carbon blue hydrogen H2NorthEast development will be located.

Dave is Hydrogen External Relations Lead at Kellas Midstream. He has 27 years’ experience in the steel industry, gained in a wide variety of energy-related roles covering health & safety, energy & utilities, procurement & distribution, EU emissions trading systems, power station operations management, and latterly technical development roles.

TOPIC: Project TeesGold

George will give an overview of Project TeesGold: Developing the UK’s first e-waste refinery, which will extract predominantly copper and significant amounts of gold, silver, nickel and palladium from e-waste concentrate.

George has over 25 years experience in international asset and project finance. He co-founded Energy Capital in 2010 to advise a leading global investment bank on expanding their energy and power portfolio in EMEA, subsequently expanding the business, focusing on renewable energy and sustainability projects.

TOPIC: Sustainability in the Mitsubishi Chemical Group

John will discuss the new Mitsubishi Chemical Group (MCG) which was formed in July 2022, unifying one of the world’s leading chemical manufacturers, highlighting publicly announced examples of new sustainable products and developments launched by global MCG businesses.

In 2017 John became Business Research Director for the former Lucite International business – now part of Mitsubishi Chemical Group’s Methacrylates division – responsible for the methacrylates research portfolio.

TOPIC: BioYorkshire – 10 year vision for green growth

BioYorkshire is a 10 year vision to use bio-based innovation to transform Yorkshire’s economy through world-class research and translation facilities, local specialised business incubators, training, networking and entrepreneurial support.  

Steve has over 35 years’ experience across the biotechnologies and fine chemicals manufacturing sectors. He was CEO for six years of Fujifilm Diosynth Biotechnologies. For the past two years he has been working with he UK Government’s Vaccines Task Force as an Industry Advisor.

TOPIC: Providing support for regional innovation and de-risking in decarbonisation and circular economy

Mark will provide an insight to the support on offer from the Materials Processing Institute, as they have been dedicated to building services and facilities for innovation on materials circularity, process commercialisation, transitioning to low and zero net carbon energy and digitalising existing plant data and controls.

Mark leads the Industrial Decarbonisation programme ranging from immediate energy saving and carbon measures through to cutting edge hydrogen innovation.

TOPIC: Decarbonisation in energy intensive chemical industries

Jon will focus on the potential routes for decarbonisation in high energy intensive chemical plants, including the routes for elimination of direct CO2 emissions from such facilities, a concept unimaginable just a few years ago.

Jon is the Senior Technical Manager for SABIC and has 35 years’ experience in the chemical industry. He’s worked on projects across both Teesside and in the North West and is actively involved in SABIC’s decarbonisation strategy.

TOPIC: The early stage funding environment for cleantech companies

Alex will discuss the options available for start-ups and the funding environment in the current economic climate, including an overview of potential sources of both equity investment and non-dilutive funding.

Alex is a biologist by training and spent 15 years in early-stage biotech companies commercialising new technologies. More recently, Alex has been involved in investment into technology businesses in the North East with a particular interest in cleantech and life science companies.

TOPIC: The path to Net Zero: Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre (NZIIC)

The Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre is the latest development from Teesside University to be announced. Dr Gari Harris will give an update on the build progress, capabilities of the building and how it will help more Tees Valley SMEs transition into a Net Zero economy.

Dr Gari Harris is the newly appointed director at NZIIC following an industrial research background heading-up British Steel’s research and development effort worldwide. Gari also sits on the UK Government (BEIS) Expert Panels for CCS, Hydrogen, and Energy from Waste.

TOPIC: Bulk Chemicals Lead for TransFIRe- the R&I Hub for Transforming the Foundation Industries

TransFIRe is funded by UKRI under the ISCF TFI challenge set out to develop innovative technology to reduce energy and resource use within the foundation industries – cement, glass, ceramics, paper, metals and bulk chemicals sectors.

Justin is Professor of Chemistry and Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange in the Department of Applied Sciences at Northumbria University. His research interests include the development of new scalable chemical processes especially in polymer chemistry and biotechnology.

TOPIC: EDF’s Green Hydrogen Vision

EDF has a deep history in producing carbon-free energy in Teesside, from Nuclear to Offshore Wind. Matthew will describe the next phase of EDF’s Teesside journey – decarbonising the region with green hydrogen.

Matthew Day leads EDF Renewables’ Hydrogen business, including its landmark green hydrogen project in the UK: Tees Green Hydrogen. At EDF, he has held various leadership roles across investments and strategy and has prior experience in the global gas & LNG industry.

TOPIC: Clean growth opportunities
at Wilton International

In his presentation, Scott will provide insight in to Sembcorp Energy UK’s drive to decarbonise power and utility provision at Wilton International, to assist existing customers with their energy transition, and to create a low carbon environment for new customers.

Scott works in Sembcorp Energy UK’s Business Development team which focuses on inward investment and new energy project developments at the Wilton International site. He brings 30 years of global energy experience.