Argus Biomass Asia Conference

Tuan Haji Zainal Abidin Bin Haji Abdullah

General Manager, Sarawak Timber Industry Development Corporation

Yoshinobu Kusano

Founder and CEO, YK Partners

Hiroaki Goto

General Manager, Erex

Mr. Goto joined Erex in December 2016 and has been doing procurement & sales activity of biomass fuel. From October 2019, he changed its activity base from Japan to Singapore where is more accessible to suppliers in Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Erex, he worked for a Japanese trade house based in Tokyo, Osaka, Australia and Singapore in the fields of minerals & resources business and business development for over 20 years.

Mads Thomsen

Director- Trading, CM Biomass

Dominique Kuehner

Industry Director, Biofuel, Andritz

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.

Dato Leong Kin Mun

President, Malaysia Biomass Industries Confederation

John Teal

Vice President, TSI

Carsten Huljus

Chief Executive Officer, Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP)

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 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 22 years, in various management positions.

Kelvin Hong

Chairman, Resources

Hong Hao is the founder and chairman of Great Resources New Energy, a company provides comprehensive solution to the need of bioenergy with business range covering biomass fuel trading, biomass boiler design and manufacture, and bioheat plant operation. Over the past 17 years, Hong has contributed significantly to the wider use of bioenergy in China by supplying carbon neutral bioheat to industrial, commercial and residential customers. His pioneering work by supplying bioheat to biopharma cluster and constructing CHP plant has helped emission reduction greatly. He also played an important role in setting biomass boiler emission standard at local and national level.

Dennis Lai

Vice President , SSGE BIO Energy

Dennis is the Vice President of a Hong Kong-registered company - SSGE Bioenergy Co Ltd. The company’s wholly owned subsidiary - SSBE Myanmar (Group) Co Ltd- operates a biocoal production plant in Myanmar. He is responsible for the strategic management of the group and international marketing. Previous posts included the director of Volicrown Limited specializing in global trade in Hong Kong; general manager of Pro-chemicals Holdings Ltd engaging in the marketing of plastic-related commodities in Hong Kong; the director of Astra Marketing Ltd engaging in selling and distribution of packaging materials in the United Kingdom and the international marketing manager of Redgrave Industries Plc engaging in marketing of various FMCG.

Fumie Akiyama

Manager, Sumitomo Corporation

Marco Kim

Global Cooperation Adviser, Korea Forest Biomass Energy Association

Rob Aaravold

Commercial Director, Swire Bulk Pte Ltd

Dharmesh Kumar Kewat

Executive - National Biomass Mission (SAMARTH), NTPC Limited

Dharmesh Kumar Kewat is an accomplished learner, consultant, clean energy advocate, and environmentalist specializing in biomass energy. With over ten years of diverse experience, he has been at the forefront of advancing sustainable and clean energy solutions. Currently serving at NTPC Limited, Dharmesh plays a pivotal role in India’s National Biomass Mission, focusing on policy development, stakeholder engagement, and pioneering energy strategies. His career includes impactful roles at organizations such as Ernst & Young, where he worked on energy transition, climate change, and project execution in renewable and thermal energy systems. With advanced qualifications in thermal engineering, energy management, and global training in energy finance and strategy from Spain and Hungary, Dharmesh offers a global perspective on local challenges. His expertise spans biomass utilization, decarbonization, ESG, and clean energy technologies. Driven by a passion for sustainability, he is committed to transforming the energy landscape through innovative and impactful solutions.

Mai Ly

Director, Phu Ninh Green Energy (Tam Sen Group)

Starting her career as a Production Manager Assistant in the biomass industry, Mai Ly rapidly advanced to become Director of a 200,000-capacity factory in Vietnam within just two years. Driven by a passion for renewable energy, she aspires to create employment opportunities in rural Vietnam and contribute to environmental sustainability.

Sasank Goli

Renewable Energy Director, Nike

Miho Okuno

Representative, Biomass Power Association Japan

Miho Okuno is a Sustainability Manager of RENOVA, Inc. in Tokyo. She joined RENOVA as consultant in 2009 and has provided consulting services for central/local governments and private sector in the fields of recycling, biomass utilization, carbon crediting, energy efficiency projects in domestic and SE countries. In recent years, she is involved in the biomass sustainability and work closely with Biomass Power Association Japan (BPA). She obtained her master’s degree in molecular biology from the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo.

Akito Kimura

Chief Engineer, Daigas Gas and Power Solution Co.,Ltd.

In 2020, Mr. Kimura joined the Thermal Power Department, Daigas Gas and Power Solution Co, Ltd as an engineer, where he was involved in digital transformation projects and technical study related to power generation plants. In 2023, he experienced the silo fire incident at dedicated biomass power plant and was in charge of the cause analysis and planning of preventive measures. Before this, he worked for 8 years as an EPC engineer to the development of the oxygen-blown Integrated Coal Gasification Combined Cycle Power Demonstration Plant in Japan.

Thareq Ariffin

Manager - Market Transformation, Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

Thareq is a Manager in RSPO, involved in Market Transformation strategies and planning to increase the production and uptake of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil and supporting the growth of biomass, biochemicals, bioenergy and advanced biofuels industries globally. In his past experience, he has worked with PETRONAS and multiple government agencies overseeing the biomass and waste-to-wealth policy implementation such as the National Biomass Strategy (NBS) and Biomass Industry Development Plan in 2016-2020 during his attachment with the National Innovation Agency. He was then transferred to Malaysian Investment Development Authority, involved in the strategic investment of high impact biomass and circular projects attracting sustainable high-quality investment into Malaysia. He has helped multiple industries to transition towards circular and sustainable businesses throughout his career.

Shimon Hama

Associate Director of Investments, New Forests Asia

Chia Chi Chang

Senior Researcher, Taiwan Bio-energy Technology Development Association

Dipjay Sanchania

Director - Climate and Energy, Adidas

Gideon (Xiang Yee) Tan

Head - Group Transformation Division, FGV Holdings Berhad

Ir. Ts. Dr. Gideon Tan, an MEng graduate from Imperial College London and a Doctorate in Business Administration, began his career as a Technical Executive in FGV's Downstream Division, mastering technical operations at oil and fats refineries and manufacturing plants. He later transitioned to a strategic role in FGV Holdings Berhad's Group CEO office, where he spearheaded group-level technical initiatives and executed improvement projects across the supply chain, including research and development, estate management, and production processes. In 2020, he was appointed Head of the Transformation Management Office at FGVHB, where he leads business efficiency enhancements and drives Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives integral to FGV’s Net Zero Agenda. A prominent advocate for sustainability, he has championed the integration of solar, biomass, and energy efficiency measures, representing FGV at international platforms.

Hector Ingram

Founder and Group COO, RAW Energy Ventures Pte Ltd.

Spent 23 years until 2007 with BP Chemicals including a stint as BP’s Synthetic Ethanol Product Manager in the mid 90’s. which was the start of an exposure to biofuels, leading to an interest in sustainable development in general. Family ties to farming kick-started an interest in how farming can quite literally change the world. Since 2010 have been working with partners looking at high yielding energy grasses in Asia and South America, leading to the founding of RAW Energy in Feb 2021 and its subsidiary companies. The intial project, RAW Solid Fuels, a Napier Grass farm (we term it ‘HTG’ or Hybrid Tropical Grass) and associated pelletisiation facilitiies located in Sarawak producing high calorie carbon-negative pellets for sustainable power generation with additional operations to open in 2026 in Suriname. This expanded into the establishment of RAW Biofuels for the wider assessment of sustainable biofuels from HTG, and the recent development of our self-build power generation entity called RAW Power, using our carbon-negative HTG feedstock.

Michael Wild

President, International Biomass Torrefaction and Carbonization Council IBTC

Michael Wild, economist, and engineer by education, is active in biomass and renewable energies for practically his entire 35 years professional career and a frontrunner in the bioenergy sector. Michael's expertise includes advising on biomass mobilization, processing, and upgrading, the handling of contractual and regulatory matters as well as the financial engineering on biomass processing or consuming facilities. 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 Palm Kernel Shell as power plant fuel and organized the first ever shipment and following continuous supply of PKS from Indonesia to Europe in 2003 in parallel to other ag biomass, wood chips and pellets. He led the development of one of the first continuous torrefaction processes and holds for 12 years the presidency of the International Biomass Torrefaction and Carbonization Council IBTC.

Nikunj Nangalia

Head of Asia, BD, ReNew

Mohit Verma

Founder, Biomass Energeons India

Mohit Verma brings over 17 years of experience, including 6 years in the biomass industry as the founder of Biomass Energeons India. His work focuses on sustainable energy solutions such as CBG, torrefaction, MSW, biochar, and biomass pellets, with an aim to drive rural development and global carbon reduction. Mohit has held roles in Trade Marketing at Sony India Pvt Ltd., as Marketing Manager at Samsung India Electronics Pvt Ltd., and as Trade Promotion Manager at CERA Sanitaryware Ltd., establishing a strong track record in strategic, profitability-focused marketing. Biomass Energeons India aims to unify the biomass sector in India, streamlining procurement and enhancing accessibility to support a sustainable future through training, development programs, and consultancy services.

Prateek Tiwari

Managing Director, Alcom

ALCOM is a Singapore company focussing on developing waste agri biomass-based Carbon removals projects – (Biochar) Globally. As Founder and CEO of ALCOM, PRATEEK TIWARI brings over 20 years of global work experience in commodity trading and biofuels. He had previously worked for ED&F Man in London and in the Philippines, where he set up and managed a joint venture with Shell Philippines for biofuel supplies and distribution. He then worked in the trading teams for Bunge in UK and Singapore, Vitol (Singapore) and Trafigura (Singapore) before setting up ALCOM in Jan 2020. In addition, Alcom also specializes in various renewable energy streams including Green Methanol, Hydrogen and Biofuels where they are involved in the collection, processing(pre-treatment), and distribution of feedstocks for biofuel production. Prateek holds a Master’s Degree in Applied Economics and Specialist Master’s MSc in Energy, Trade & Finance from Bayes Business School London, UK (Formerly Cass Business School)

Bo Andersen

Area Sales Manager, C.F. Nielson

Bo Andersen graduated with a master degree in Business and Administration from Aalborg University, Denmark in 1991. Since graduation Bo has been the Sales Manager of a welding automation company as well as Managing Director of a trading company in Denmark. In 2011 Bo joined C.F. Nielsen as Area Sales Manager for various markets in Europe and Asia Pacific. In 2015 he moved to Vietnam to focus on the Asian Pacific markets. He is well experienced with standard- as well as complete plants for wood and biomass briquetting. During the years in Asia a wide knowledge of the raw materials present here such as acacia, eucalyptus, rubberwood and agricultural biomass like bagasse, rice husk, corn, straws and many other raw materials has been developed. He as well have a good knowledge of torrefaction and biogas applications where briquetting is a main component.

Muhamad Fadhil

SVP Strategy and Business Development, Argus

Muhamad Fadhil is Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Development at Argus, focusing on Asia expansion sectors and strategic initiatives. Before joining Argus, Fadhil was Head of Middle East Markets for ICIS in Dubai, where he led market engagement and strategy. He also previously worked for Channel NewsAsia, Hill & Associates and the O&S Group of Companies. Fadhil holds master degrees from IE Business School and the National University of Singapore. He is currently a doctoral student at Warwick Business School, specialising in energy transition.

Erisa Senerdem

Editor, Biomass, Argus

Erisa Senerdem is editor for the Argus Biomass Report. She has previously covered Petroleum Coke and contributed to the Argus Coal Daily International report as well as covering gas and power markets at Argus. Prior to Argus, she has worked as a researcher, university lecturer, journalist and a consultant. She has a Ph.D. in economics, with a special focus on the energy field.

Dale Hazelton

Principal, Consulting, Argus

Dale has more than 15 years of experience in market research and forecasting. His current role sees him focus on bespoke consultancy projects in the metals, energy, and hydrogen spaces. Before joining Argus, Dale held several leadership roles at Wood Mackenzie. Dale holds a BSc in Mining Engineering from West Virginia University.

Andrew Jones

Editor, Solid Fuels, Asia-Pacific, Argus

Andrew Jones is the Deputy Editor for Argus Asia Coal. He joined Argus in 2009, based in the company’s Singapore office. His initial focus was on the Asia-Pacific dry bulk and tanker markets before switching to the coal desk, where he now focuses on price discovery, news and analysis of regional thermal coal and petroleum coke markets. Having previously worked at sea, Andrew started his journalism career in the UK before moving to Asia in 2006 as a correspondent with Dow Jones Newswires/The Wall Street Journal, where he covered various regional commodities markets.