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EastEuro Link hosted its inaugural CEE Biofuels Forum in London on 1st October 2007, with participants and speakers from all over Europe in attendance. Taking place in the uniquely presented Brewery Conference Centre in London, the event was supported by a host of associate sponsors and media partners involved in the biofuels industry.
In a crowded room approaching full capacity, proceedings were opened by the chairman, Mr. Robert Gmyrek, Director of Alternative Energy at PKN Orlen. Mr. Gmyrek provided a useful overview of the biofuels market in Central and Eastern Europe and the rest of the world. This was followed by an impressive and thorough outline of the EU Bioethanol market by one of the industry’s leading experts, Mr. Robert Vierhout, Secretary General of the European Bioethanol Association. He concluded that the growth and potential of the Bioethanol market is very strong and that EU targets could be met under the right conditions.
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The next speaker to take the stand was Dr. Karl Giersberg, CFO of EOP Biodiesel, who delivered a highly informative and entertaining presentation on the state of the European Biodiesel market, aided by a very detailed set of statistics on the industry. Dr. Giersberg underlined the natural demand for biofuels in Central and Eastern Europe. Professor Simon McQueen-Mason of The University of York then presented a fascinating speech on the potential for second generation biofuels, providing a scientific insight to the new technologies being used. His strong knowledge of new developments and his doubts over the sustainability of first generation biofuels stimulated a flurry of questions from the audience. To conclude the morning session, Mr. Krzysztof Biernat, Coordinator of the Polish Technology Platform for Biofuels, spoke about increasing demand on the national level, using Poland as a case study.
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After a lively networking coffee break that also enabled delegates to converse with leading biofuels publishers at their exhibition stands, the next session commenced with a view from the oil industry by Vice President of Neste Oil, Mr. Harri Turpeinen.
Mr. Turpeinen captivated the audience with his intriguing perspective on biofuels developments and provoked a reaction from some sections of the audience with his controversial views on the viability of bioethanol production.
Mr. Patrik Klintbom, Coordinator of Alternative Fuels for Volvo Technology Corporation, aroused further debate with his insightful analysis of biofuels requirements for the transport sector.
Particularly noteworthy was his detailed research on GHG emissions versus energy use, which spurred a series of questions from the audience and fuelled some lively discussions among delegates as they gathered in the dining room for lunch.
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Following an extended networking opportunity accompanied by some delicious food, the afternoon session turned our attention towards finance in the biofuels industry, with an array of highly respected speakers joining the panel. Firstly, Mr. Peter Hobson, Renewable Energy Coordinator for EBRD, illustrated the criteria for funding biofuel projects in Central and Eastern Europe, stressing the essential qualities that are necessary for capital to be provided. Mr. Tim Peara, Managing Director of Alternative Energy Finance, then gave a comprehensive guide to risk mitigation in the biofuels industry, highlighting the barriers to successful biofuels production and the necessity for feedstock, demand and capital. His valuable expertise and enthusiastic presentation style gripped the audience and stimulated another series of probing questions.
Next to present was Mr. Edgare Kerkwijk, Managing Director of Biox Group, who described the outlook for the European biofuels market, emphasising the need for long term biofuel sustainability and that imported biofuels such as palm oil can also be valuable to the industry. Mr. Ondrej Benacek, Investment Analyst for Penta Investments, then produced an interesting analysis of investment opportunities in Central Europe, and stimulated several questions from the audience with some bold predictions on ethanol production and consumption. Finally, Mr. Simon Brooks, Vice President of the European Investment Bank, detailed the criteria for future investment in CEE biofuels projects, concluding that the region has considerable potential to bring energy intensity down to average EU levels. After further questions from the floor, the chairman closed conference by summarising the wide range of ideas and discussions that had taken place throughout the day. The delegates were then free to engage in additional networking opportunities over tea and coffee.
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Overall, the conference was a great success and brought together a number of influential players in the CEE biofuels industry to engage in numerous discussions and listen to some excellent insights into the sector.
EastEuro Link thanks all delegates and speakers who attending the event and hopes to see many of the same faces at its upcoming energy conferences this year and next.
For more information about our future events of this kind or for enquiries concerning purchasing a CD copy of the conference proceedings please contact us.
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