Submission Deadline:
25 April, 2025, 23:59 PM
Companies and technical professionals are invited to submit an abstract for the chance to participate in Europe’s largest meeting place for downstream leaders. All abstract submissions will be reviewed by our esteemed advisory board and evaluated based on originality and relevance to conference themes and audience.
Why Submit an Abstract?
The Role of Refineries in the Energy Transition
European refineries must redefine their role in the energy transition, balancing global demand with competitiveness against Indian and Middle Eastern players. As key energy providers, refiners must adapt to remain profitable while aligning with environmental goals. This topic invites forward-looking strategies for long-term success, from innovative plant designs to financial planning and adapting to evolving legislation, ensuring refineries maintain relevance in a rapidly changing market.
Operational Excellence, Digital Technologies & Process Optimisation
Amid growing regulatory pressures and global competition, operational excellence is critical for Europe’s refiners. Ageing infrastructure demands new technologies, particularly digitalisation, to enhance reliability, flexibility, and efficiency. Identifying solutions to optimise processes is vital for capturing value and securing margins, ensuring refiners can meet future demands sustainably and competitively.
Biofuels & Alternative Fuel Production
Biofuels and renewable feedstocks are increasingly central to meeting EU environmental legislation and ensuring the survival of European refineries. Advanced biofuels will reshape refinery configurations, testing the limits of existing catalysts and processes. This topic encourages innovative solutions for biomass conversion, co-processing, and pathways to integrate renewable resources into current refinery operations, helping refiners adapt and thrive.
Petrochemical Production & Chemical Recycling
Petrochemical production and chemical recycling are critical for European refiners to remain competitive in the energy transition. By addressing the rising demand for petrochemicals and exploring efficient, sustainable recycling methods, refiners can diversify their output and reduce environmental impact. This topic seeks strategies that leverage these areas to secure a profitable future for the industry.
Catalyst Technologies
Catalysts are fundamental to refinery performance, underpinning profitability, sustainability, and environmental compliance. Innovations in catalyst technologies will enable refiners to optimise processes, meet regulatory demands, and reduce costs. Papers exploring the latest advancements in catalyst integration and their impact on refinery strategies are highly valued.
Energy Efficiency
With energy costs second only to crude, improving energy efficiency is a longstanding challenge for Europe’s refiners. Addressing energy losses is essential for cutting costs, improving sustainability, and ensuring long-term viability. This topic calls for practical solutions and updated processes that help refiners maximise energy use and remain competitive in an increasingly demanding environment.
Refinery Configuration and Conversion Technologies
Evolving market demands, such as stricter bunker fuel specifications and the rise of electric vehicles, require refiners to reconfigure operations. Solutions in residue upgrading, hydrocracking, and heavy oil conversion are vital to optimising middle distillates and adapting to future needs. Innovative approaches to conversion technologies will ensure refiners can continue to deliver value.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence offers transformative potential for refiners, from predictive maintenance to process optimisation and decision-making. By harnessing AI, refiners can enhance efficiency and competitiveness, positioning themselves as leaders in technological innovation. This topic invites research on the integration of AI in refining and its benefits for the industry.
E-Fuels Production
E-fuels are an emerging solution in the transition to sustainable energy, combining renewable energy with traditional fuel production methods. Refiners must explore scalable production techniques and integration strategies to remain at the forefront of this innovative field. Contributions highlighting the economic and technical feasibility of e-fuels are especially valuable.
Green Hydrogen
Green hydrogen, derived from renewable electricity, is a cornerstone of the future energy landscape. Solutions enabling the integration of green hydrogen into refinery operations will help refiners meet carbon-neutral goals. Papers addressing technological advancements, economic models, and refinery redesigns to incorporate green hydrogen are highly sought after.
Blue Hydrogen & Carbon Capture Technologies
Blue hydrogen, when combined with carbon capture and storage (CCUS), provides a bridge to decarbonisation. For refiners, adopting CCUS and blue hydrogen production methods offers a practical solution to reduce emissions while maintaining output. This topic explores innovations in CCUS and blue hydrogen, ensuring refiners remain competitive and environmentally responsible.