Business Conference

12:00 pm - 6:00 pm

PetroChem Canada Charity Golf Tournament

12:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Facilities Driving Tour 

Please note: Bus will depart from the Progressive Auto Sales Arena (1455 London Rd, Sarnia, ON N7S 1P6) and return to the same location. Please arrive no later than 12:00 pm

5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

VIP Reception 

By invitation only

8:30 am - 9:00 am

Registration & Continental Breakfast

9:00 am - 9:10 am

Welcome Remarks

9:10 am - 9:20 am

Welcome Remarks - Government of Canada & Government of Ontario

9:20 am 9:40 am

Why Ontario - How the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade can Support Your Growth in Ontario 

 9:40 am 10:00 am

Opening Keynote Address

10:00 am - 10:30 am

Networking Break

10:30 am - 11:30 am

Session 1: SMR's - A Clean Energy Source

Some consider nuclear to be the magic bullet. Small Modular Reactors are not our grandparents nuclear reactors, but do they carry the same stigma? There is no doubt SMR's are a clean energy option for heavy industries including refineries and petrochemical plants; but they are not without barriers. This esteemed panel of experts will discuss the politics, the technologies, the timelines, the budgets and the human resource factors all affecting the future of nuclear in Canada. 

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

Session 2: Shell Polymers Monaca - A Project Update

In November 2022, Shell Chemical Appalachia LLC a subsidiary of Shell plc, commenced operations at its Shell Polymers Monaca (SPM) site, previously referred to as the Pennsylvania Chemical project. This world-class facility uses low-cost ethane from shale gas to produce polyethylene. We'll hear from Shell and the State of Pennsylvania on the status SPM and just how the state won this incredible project.

12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

Introductions

Keynote Luncheon - Advancing Plastics Circularity Through Collaboration and Technology

1:30 pm -1:40 pm

Networking Break

1:40 pm - 2:40 pm

Session 3: Hydrogen and its Impact on the Downstream Sector

The benefits of hydrogen are numerous, especially in the development of Canada's petrochemicals and plastics sectors. During this session, we'll discuss projects, technologies, and how the region is poised to be a hydrogen powerhouse.

2:40 pm - 3:00 pm

Networking Break

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Session 4: Carbon Capture Sequestration - A Strategy for the Future

Everyone is talking about. CCS seems to be the right tool at the right time. Is CCS and CCUS a solution for the petrochemical sector? And does it fit into Ontario's emission reduction strategy. This panel of experts from across Canada will provide insights, example and answer the tough questions on CCS. 

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Session 5: Self Service Analytics (SSA) - How Data Science and Analytics are Transforming the Technical Workforce

presented by American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM)

This session will present refining and petrochemical industry case studies with hard and soft benefits realized to demonstrate the importance of balancing investments between employees and technologies.  With a focus on demonstrating how Digital Transformation leverages maximum employee contribution, improves business outcomes, and attracts young talent to our industry.

Participants will:

Appreciate the current state of analytics and machine learning tools.

Understand how these tools get the very best results from your human talent.

Secure insights on how to begin the machine learning and analytics journey.

5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Networking Reception

8:00 am - 9:00 am

Breakfast

Session 6: Advancing the Circular Economy & Sustainability

During this session, our panel will discuss current projects underway, but also address the barriers in developing a circular economy, and how do we as an industry can we overcome these challenges. There is a bright future ahead, how do we navigate the path to get there?

9:00 am - 10:00 am

Session 7: Leading a Successful Turnaround Project

This panel session will discuss the essential requirements for a turnaround event to be successful.  This will be an opportunity to learn about strategic and practical approaches to leading these complex projects from experienced leaders.

Some discussion topics:

•             The role of Site Leadership

•             Turnaround Project Management

•             Effective Communication

•             Integrating Capital Projects

•             Contractor Management

•             Public & Stakeholder Engagement

•             Product Marketing requirements

•             ESG Impact on Turnaround Events

10:00 am - 10:15 am

Networking Break

10:15 am - 11:15 am

Session 8: Digital Transformation, AI Readiness & Preparing for ChatGPT - Is the Investment in Digitalization Worth it?

Join in a fireside chat about the journey, the benefits and challenges of starting on the digital transformation journey.

This panel discussion will highlight trends, challenges, benefits, and the urgency to get started on digital transformation.  Learn how AI and machine learning may intersect on your path of digitizing so you can be ready and finally we will endeavour to answer the big question, “Is the investment in digitalization worth it?”

Learn tips on how to embrace the change and employee resistance going digital brings. Where to start, and the spin off benefits data analytics brings so you are ready for a future that will not wait for you to catch up.

11:15 am - 12:30 pm

Session 9: Talent Crunch - Breaking the Barriers

During this important session, we'll discuss important topics including:

• What is the role of immigration in addressing the talent crunch
• What is Sarnia Lambton doing well in terms of addressing the talent crunch and recruiting international talent? What can be used as a framework for larger cities?
• What does a community need to support workforce growth?

12:45 pm - 1:00 pm

PetroChem Canada - Net Zero Pitch Challenge

Four startups to mid-stage companies are coming to showcase the latest net-zero technologies to our industry delegates. These selected companies will present their technologies in just five minutes on stage in hopes of winning you over. Be sure to join us for this cutting-edge session. 

• Forward Water is focused on the sustainable preservation of water used in industrial processes. In many cases today, wastewater can become so contaminated it is either burnt, buried, or boiled for treatment. Forward Water has commercialized a low energy, low carbon footprint membrane process to reclaim this water for re-use.
• PLAEX™ Building Systems Inc. is committed to producing simple, innovative, and intuitive building products, from 95%+ recycled materials (plastics & concrete aggregate), for the construction of sustainable structures that save 15-50% on project costs. PLAEX™ products are designed to be part of a fully interlocking building ecosystem comprising of various interlocking components.
• Aduro Clean Technologies is a developer of patented water-based chemical recycling technologies that transform waste plastics, heavy crude and renewable oils into new-era resources and higher-value fuels. The Company’s Hydrochemolytic™ technology activates unique properties of water in a chemistry platform that operates at relatively low temperatures and cost – a game-changing approach that transforms waste into 21st-century resources.
• FireRein is a Canadian company that has developed the world’s first 100% plant based firefighting gel, replacing the human and environmentally toxic PFAS foams that are now being legislated out of use. FireRein’S EcoGel is certified USDA Bio Preferred and UL listed for class A & B fires.

1:00 pm - 1:10 pm

Introductory Remarks 

1:10 pm - 2:15 pm

Keynote Luncheon: Canada's Role in a Clean Energy Future

Industries across Canada are working diligently to reduce carbon emissions by 2030 or 2050, including the petrochemical sector. Over the past two days, presentations largely focused on clean technologies like CCS, Hydrogen and nuclear. During the session, we will discuss Canada's role in a clean energy future, through the eyes of the petrochemical and energy sectors. Industry is on the right track, but is enough being done? Is the technology and investment in place to meet the lofty requirements? What else can be done and at what cost?

2:15 pm - 3:00 pm

Cocktails and Networking with the Exhibitors