Panel Discussion
Monday, March 13
06:00 PM - 06:45 PM
Live in Amsterdam
Less Details
While the world population is growing, the availability of natural resources and raw materials such as oil, natural gas, mineral ores, and water is decreasing. It is also of importance to significantly reduce CO2 emissions to counteract further climate change. Energy efficiency is a key resource for economic and social development, bringing significant benefits to various stakeholders, from companies developing energy-efficient measures to all members of society. In addition to cost savings, numerous benefits can be achieved by supporting better alignment between energy issues and strategic business professionals: e.g., improved competitiveness, profitability, quality, etc. Energy efficiency can therefore be a strategic advantage. However, most companies, especially small and medium enterprises, face many problems and in some cases rejection when trying to effectively implement energy efficiency measures.
Considering the energy crisis and global warming, it has become imperative for industries to focus on higher energy efficiency. It is well known that energy consumption in the chemical industry is one of the highest of all industrial sectors. Energy efficiency is a top priority in the chemical industry, and many companies are turning to novel technology to help them achieve this goal. It can help chemical companies reduce energy consumption by optimizing their processes and improving their production methods.
Energy consumption and the energy-efficient production of goods in a supply chain have so far played only a very minor role. Important tasks in this area are the creation and verification of energy supply chain models and the analysis of their effects on production networks. At the same time, supply chain management and logistics or intralogistics must move closer together and include aspects of supply processes. Although the optimal structuring of information and material flows within a production network is central to supply chain management, integrated supply concepts for media, energy and other means of production do not exist. The biggest barriers are access to capital and lack of awareness (especially of lifecycle cost impacts). Looking at the supply chain is one of the most important ways to overcome these barriers and improve energy efficiency.
Philipp Kohn is VP Global Operations - Fire Retardant Additives & MD at Huber Engineered Materials, Martinswerk GmbH.
Experienced Senior Executive with a demonstrated history of working in the automotive and process industry. International experience since more than 25 years. Skilled in Supply Chain & Operations Management, Continuous Improvement, End to End Lean Manufacturing and Lean Management Transformantion.
Supply Chain and Operations professional graduated from APICS (CPIM & CSCP).
Educational background in applied mathematics and started the career in the Energy & Utility sector. Now for more than ten year in the chemical industry. At Evonik responsible for the corporate supply chain function and in this role driving the companies large and global supply chain transformation.
The Pop in My Job:
There never have been better times for a supply chain transformation in the chemical industry. Everyone up to the supervisory boards reads in the daily newspaper about the importance of supply chain management. And there have never been harder times for such a transformation, because ongoing disruptions are pushing operational supply chain at its limit. This is a great challenge for every leader that is embracing changes!
Through various positions in process analytical engineering, plant management and process automation in polymer industry I have gained extensive experience in optimizing processes and operations as well as establishing continuous improvement and motivating teams to strive for efficiency. In addition, I enjoyed several years of international work experience in multinational & interdisciplinary teams, hierarchical levels as well as collaboration with internal and external customers with focus on strategic alignment of the investment portfolio. My on-the-job experience in different positions in Germany and China has afforded me a well-rounded skill set, leadership experience as well as insights in organization, company standards and cultural influences in the chemical industry. I am currently working in the context of energy efficiency, climate neutrality and circular economy, which my team at Energy Excellence fully supports. As Global Energy Management Officer, my team and I continue to develop our DIN EN ISO 50001 certified energy management system and support our sites in developing energy efficiency measures to ensure continual improvement on the journey of transformation towards Climate Neutrality and a Circular Economy.
The Pop in My Job:
What is so fascinating about working in the chemical industry, I was once asked by graduates at a university event. My answer remains the same: the collaboration with many intelligent people from different backgrounds and with a common goal, the range of challenges that constantly reinvents itself, and the mastery of complexity that any well managed chemical plant demonstrates every day.