Argus Bitumen & Asphalt Europe Conference

Registration and breakfast

Conference welcome       

Chairperson’s opening remarks  

Refiners address: Are you facing crude shortage and rising costs?

- A coverage of active refineries in the region and what are the reasons for closures of terminals in the region?
- Where are they sourcing crude oil from? How does crude oil sourcing and refining affect bitumen? What are the costs involved?
- Refiners on their 2025 business plans: Upcoming demand in the region and new export regions?

Road authorities address on industrial roadmap: Get your questions answered live for a future-focused planning for the bitumen and asphalt industry

- What are key performance indicators being tracked by road authorities and how do they vary across European regions?
- How do governments facilitate more public-private partnerships?
- When will we see the real impact of regulatory changes including net-zero goals?

Argus address: In-depth examination of European supply/demand and export opportunities

- How is the market evolving amidst Russian embargoes/Middle East situation? If peace prevails, can Ukraine become a major importer?
- How long before the market starts to move? Where will additional investments come from?
- What are the regional price differences and export opportunities in the Mediterranean region?

Coffee and networking break

Shifting sands: How do we navigate sourcing crude oil and other trade barriers?

- Assessing the implications of geopolitical conflicts and sanctions on crude oil supply chains and pricing volatility.
- How does the effect of tariff and export banks and bilateral agreements affect crude distribution and refining capacities?
- How can you diversify suppliers and strategic reserves to shift towards non-traditional oil sources?

Bitumen quality in focus: Case studies on advancement, performance and cost efficiency

- What innovations in bitumen modification and production are addressing performance issues like durability, resistance, and low-temperature crackling?
- How are evolving regulations, testing methodologies and compliance challenges in ensuring consistent quality?
- Recycled Polymer Bitumen: Investigating carbon footprint, upfront costs and the opportunity to make it commercially viable

Networking lunch

Affordable sustainability: How can you adapting to better performance by balancing reducing CO2 footprint and cost management?

- How to balance the urgency of achieving net-zero emissions with business sustainability and cost management?
- How to maintain quality with bio-component binders locking carbon into asphalt and bitumen?

Heat and logistics: Securing supply chain bottlenecks by addressing prime concerns

- What are the trade-offs between cost and performance when choosing different temperature-maintaining solutions?
- How are bitumen additives- such as polymers – incorporated while transporting and what logistical challenges arise?
- Risk minimization by climate change, mixing additives, and usage of drums/bags compared to bulk transport

Closing remarks and end of day one

Drinks and networking reception

Breakfast and networking

Chairperson’s opening remarks  

Global outlook for Asphalt supply and demand 2019-28

Futureproofing construction and their needs: What are their evolving demands?

- How are government incentives, carbon taxes and other sustainable standards compelling the industry to increase demand for recycled, reused material?
- How can you diversify suppliers and strategic reserves to shift towards non-traditional oil sources?
- How is the sector adapting to supply chain disruptions?

Sailing through EU ETS: Opportunities and strategies in 2025

- How is EU ETS shaping emissions and its downstream impact on the bitumen industry?
- What strategies are available to the industry to mitigate ripple effects of the EU ETS on shipping costs?
- What's the impact on freight costs?

Morning coffee

Venezuela Oil in 2025: Will crude find its market in 2025?

- Mapping the flow of Venezuelan crude amid US restrictions
- How will trade routes shift to accommodate sanctions? Analysing role of countries purchasing this crude
- Explore shifts in refinery strategies and search for alternative sources including Canada and Middle East?

Middle East and Africa coverage: Developments in inter and intra-regional flows

Networking lunch

Senior roundtable discussions:

- Supply chain bottlenecks
- Public-private dialogue
- Freight and other costs

Closing remarks