Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Chet Thompson, AFPM President and CEO

2025 Petrochemical Heritage Award Presentation

The Petrochemical Heritage Honoree recognizes those whose contributions to public understanding are noteworthy, who have displayed significant entrepreneurship in the petrochemical profession or industry, and who have been active in philanthropic and/or communal affairs. This year’s honoree is Lori J. Ryerkerk, Former CEO Celanese. Presentation of the honor and remarks from the Founders Club President and presentation of the “Petrochemical Heritage Award”.

Morning Keynote: Emerging Markets and the Effects of Globalization Rana Foroohar is a global business columnist and associate editor at the Financial Times and a global economic analyst at CNN. . Sought after for her astute analysis, Foroohar speaks to the changes occurring in business, politics, economics, and foreign affairs. Her weekly column is a real-time commentary on emerging markets, the effects of globalization, and the disruption of big tech.

Join AFPM CEO Chet Thompson and CEOs of leading petrochemical companies to discuss the most pressing issues facing the industry. Topics will include sustainability, workforce, market outlook and opportunities for the industry in 2025 and beyond.

Invitation Only

This is a formal meeting of the AFPM petrochemical committee open to invited guests. Luncheon attendees are provided updates on current items of interest and briefings from preeminent executives on the latest topics impacting the petrochemical industry.

Representatives from member companies provide their outlook (globally and regionally) on Petrochemical markets. Panelists will provide insights into the financial outlook of petrochemical businesses, share challenges and opportunities for the sector and preview expectations for the economy. Panelists would include Chief Financial Officers and Commercial experts from leading petrochemical companies.

Value Chain Perspectives on Advanced Recycling and Fostering Circularity – A panel discussion on partnering to provide solutions for circularity. Topics would include advanced recycling, polymer selection, packaging design, collection, and recycling. Specifically, the panel examines how different aspects of the plastics value chain are striving to reach circularity together as well as enabling policies domestically and globally.

8:00 - 8:45 am: S&P Global Commodity Insights – Petrochemicals: Feedstock Availability, New Markets and the Investment Cycle: Experts from S&P Global Commodity Insights will examine key themes shaping the petrochemical feedstock markets, discuss new capacity additions and their interaction with changing the geopolitical landscape and explain how aromatics could be impacted by the energy transition.
Tony Potter, Vice President, Chemicals, Derivatives, Plastics & Materials
Darryl Rogers, Vice President, Commodity Insights, LPGs/NGLs
Walt Hart, Head of Global Olefins & Derivatives
Andrew Neale, Executive Director, Aromatics

8:45 - 9:30 am: Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS, A Dow Jones Company – Global Competitive Theatre: U.S. Increasing Competitive Advantage: The Trump Administration's impact on the chemical sector will be manifold - from the impact on regulations, feedstock availability, the retreat from ESG, sectoral growth opportunities, encouragement for trade & domestic production, disruptions in global trade, the impact on tariffs on trade and investments, to how chemical sector partnerships evolve - make for a fascinating analysis. Join our experts in thought-provoking presentations and discussion as we look into the future.
Dewey Johnson, Senior Vice President, Dow Jones & Global Head of Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Carlo Barrasa, Vice President, Global Energy & Feedstock Markets, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
Steve Lewandowski, Vice President, Global Olefins and Derivatives, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
John Mathew, Vice President, Global Business Development, Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS
9:30 - 10:15 am: Petrochemicals – Business Not as Usual: Technology is shaping industrial and scientific processes but also determining employee skill sets and customer interfaces and preferences. The convergence brought by technologies in these areas presents opportunity: the intentional leverage of industry and technology intersections can propel innovation, operational excellence, and competitiveness. Deloitte’s research shows companies that adopt strategies that help them weather uncertainty while positioning them competitively in the high-tech future may improve their positions significantly. In this Industry Showcase we will explore several important trends for companies to consider while developing strategies, that include cost efficiency, end market growth, innovation, sustainability, and supply chain improvements all powered by new tech and new ways of working to be most competitive.
Mike Bechtel, Deloitte’s Chief Futurist
Kate Hardin, Deloitte’s Executive Director for Energy, Resources, and Industrials
Dave Yankovitz, Deloitte’s Principal Chemical Industry Leader
Bob Kumpf, PhD. Managing Director

A Conversation with Boris Johnson: Fireside Chat focused on democracy, freedom, and free market capitalism with unparalleled insights into global security, the world economy, and his continued work supporting freedom around the world.