Jérémie Bertrand is Executive Director for Feedstock & Offtake at Elyse Energy, a European developer of e-fuels and advanced biofuels. He leads sourcing and commercialization for BioTJet, France’s first industrial-scale SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) project based on lignocellulosic biomass and hydrogen. Prior to joining Elyse, Jérémie held senior executive roles in the maritime transport sector, bringing a cross-sector perspective to the deployment of innovative, biomass-based fuel solutions.

Dusita has a background in chemical engineering from Delft University of Technology and work experience in the petrochemical industry on topics within decarbonization. After finishing her Engineering Doctorate in process and equipment design, Dusita joined SkyNRG in 2023. Her role focuses on the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through research on prospective feedstocks and novel SAF production technologies with key areas of interest in pathways using biomass. She is involved in the latest SkyNRG market outlook report in addition to multiple R&D projects on novel SAF production pathways and SAF ASTM qualification.

Xaan de Kock is a highly accomplished chemical engineer with a proven track record of delivering successful projects in the energy industry.  He obtained his chemical engineering degree from the University of Stellenbosch and spent most of his career at the world's largest coal gasification company, where he spent over a decade in the fields of Gasification, Fischer-Tropsch (both Gas-To-Liquids and Coal-To-Liquids Synthesis), Catalysis, Fuel Reforming, Commissioning of mega projects, Gas separation, and Petrochemical Refining. He also has expertise in Digitalization as a Chemical Process Specialist, having developed predictive tools for asset health monitoring and prediction in partnership with Bain&Company. Xaan held various leadership roles at the company before transitioning to the renewables industry, where in his role as Chief Operating Officer, he is further developing operations of a best-in-class biomass gasification technology.

Policy Director

Study:  Mining engineer at RWTH Aachen

Professional experience:

- Construction machinery industry

- Recycling industry

- Steel industry

Now: Responsible for transforming the GMH Group to climate neutrality             

Pilar Hidalgo is Head of Innovation at Cementos La Cruz, where she leads the company’s environmental and circular economy strategy. With over 20 years of experience in the construction materials sector, she has coordinated and led more than 25 R&D&I projects across various technology readiness levels. Pilar holds a degree in Chemistry, a PhD in Civil Engineering, and an Executive MBA. Her work focuses on driving innovation for decarbonization, waste valorization, and the integration of sustainable practices throughout the value chain.

Mihkel Jugaste is a civil engineer turned environmental engineer turned multinational value chain quality manager. Jugaste started his career in engineering and process design and for the last 7 years has been applying those skills in the bioenergy sector. His focus has been on developing post-harvest/post processing sustainable sourcing systems to demonstrate sustainability without having a role in forest management or pre-processing. Mihkel Jugaste oversees all aspects of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) at Graanul Invest Group.

At CEPF, Dániel is in charge of Bioeconomy and Circular Economy, Climate Change Mitigation and Sustainable Finance.

Patrick Lapointe is Chief Commercial Officer for Airex Energy, leading the company’s business development and marketing activities. Patrick has 25 years of experience in the development and sales of technology. After graduating in Engineering Physics from Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal and earning an MBA degree from INSEAD in France, he held product development and marketing roles within the L’Oreal Group and Sony Electronics. Prior to joining Airex Energy, he headed the product development strategy for Walter Surface Technologies, an industrial metal working equipment manufacturer, as Vice-President R&D.

Rachael has been working in the bioenergy sector since 2014, joining Hawkins Wright in 2017 where she writes and edits Hawkins Wright’s monthly Forest Energy Monitor report and co-authors the quarterly Outlook for Wood Pellets service. She is also a regular contributor to other multi-client and consultancy projects, covering all regions. She presents frequently at industry gatherings.

Rachael holds a biological sciences degree from the University of Leicester.

Director
Fiona is a bioenergy consultant and market analyst with more than fifteen years' experience in the renewable energy industry. She joined Hawkins Wright in 2013 and is now responsible for overseeing the company's bioenergy activities. She is the co-author of Hawkins Wright’s market-leading Outlook for Wood Pellets service and Editor of Forest Energy Monitor. Fiona regularly undertakes consultancy projects for clients in Asia, Europe and North America on topics including wood pellet and biomass markets, sustainability, and energy policy.

She has a degree in Physics from the University of York and is an APMP qualified Project Manager.

Chris joined SBP in April 2024 as Carbon Project Manager. A sustainability professional since 2007, Chris began his career in the steel industry before working for an environmental regulatory body, and then in consulting.

Chris has specialised in greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting since 2012, while working in the steel industry, where he was responsible for compiling carbon emissions inventories for UK statutory schemes, the EU ETS, and sector specific methodologies.

He then joined the statutory environmental regulator, Natural Resources Wales, where he oversaw compliance with the EU ETS, as well as assessing environmental permit applications.

As a sustainability consultant in the mining sector, Chris specialised in GHG accounting to international standards, impact assessment and due diligence. He then moved back into manufacturing, leading the sustainability and carbon strategy for a battery company before joining SBP.

Chief Sales and Marketing Officer

Diego Perdones is the Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of C2X. He has more than 25 years of global experience in the shipping and logistics sector.

Diego has been involved in the development of C2X in Spain since inception as MD for Maersk for France, Iberia and Maghreb.

C2X is aiming to make a significant contribution to a fossil-free future by accelerating the availability of green methanol in large quantities.  C2X will develop, own and operate green methanol production facilities in strategic locations, which in turn will serve to de-fossilise the aviation, chemical and shipping sectors.   

Prior to joining the company, Diego had 25 years experience in APM Maersk as Managing Director for Maersk Logistics Morocco, Commercial Director for Hong Kong and South China, Managing Director for Central Mediterranean, Managing Director for France, Iberia and Maghreb and Regional Managing Director for Latin America.  

Diego has a degree in Nautical Science from the University of Cadiz and a degree in Business Administration from the University of Barcelona. He has followed postgraduate programs in IMD and IESE. He has lived and worked in Morocco, Hong Kong, Italy, Panama and Spain  

Erik Rylander has +20 years’ experience from managerial positions in the energy industry. In recent years with focus on circular economy business development. Today Erik is Commercial Director of Stockholm Exergi’s CDR program with the short-term objective to establish a commercial framework and business model for permanent negative emissions that allow Exergi to invest in a BECCS plant capturing 800.000 tons biogenic CO2 p.a. starting 2027.

John heads up the sales and development group at TSI, where he focuses on the commercialization of the company's proprietary torrefaction equipment. With a background in engineering and diverse experience in bringing cutting edge technology from early development to market, he spearheads TSI's contributions toward a greener future.