he 18th Asian Downstream Summit, Asian Refining Technology Conference, and Ammonia and Carbon Capture Asia concluded last week as a resounding success. The strong turnout of industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators fuelled engaging discussions and forged promising strategies for sustainable growth in the region’s petrochemical and refining industries.
Key Highlights
Ms. Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore graced the event as the Guest of Honour who shared Singapore’s refreshed vision for Jurong Island as a catalyst for its sector’s transition towards sustainability. She shared how embracing new operating models, fostering partnerships and equipping workforce with new skills will ensure the sector remains innovative, resilient and ready for a low-carbon future.
Following Minister Gan’s welcome address, Andre Khor, Group Chief Financial Officer, PT Chandra Asri Pacific Tbk and Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Aster Chemicals and Energy Pte. Ltd. shared Chandra Asri Group’s vision to become Southeast Asia’s leading integrated energy, chemicals, and infrastructure solutions company, anchored by its new Aster assets in Singapore. Despite short-term margin pressures in refining and petrochemicals, the strategy emphasises long-term resilience fuelled by strong regional demand growth. Chandra Asri is investing over $1 billion USD into the Rejuvenation and Transformation of Aster, focusing on operational integration across Singapore and Indonesia, enhancing efficiency, and pioneering low-carbon solutions like Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This plan aims to build a flexible, integrated platform to drive sustainable growth and shape the Asia Pacific downstream landscape.
Another key remark was from YB Datuk Dr Haji Hazland bin Abang Hj Hipni, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak, Malaysia, who shared Sarawak Net Zero Strategy and Carbon Plan, making it the first Malaysian state committed to net negative emissions by 2050. The plan, which leverages Sarawak’s hydropower and forests, is built on three pillars: protecting its natural resources, transforming its economy through clean energy and industrial decarbonisation (including CCUS), and ensuring inclusive prosperity. By introducing a Carbon Levy mechanism, the strategy is set to unlock RM347 billion in green investment and create 223,000 new jobs, establishing a determined and resilient path for the region’s future.
The conference concluded with a high-impact plenary that focused on the region’s future. The session began with the IEA’s keynote, which underscored Asia-Pacific’s central role in global energy transformation.
This set the stage for the Fireside Chat, “From Powerhouse to Springboard,” which detailed how Singapore’s government is reinventing Jurong Island, leveraging its existing infrastructure to become a sustainable platform and gateway for specialty chemicals, sustainable materials, and low-carbon innovation.
▪️Jacqueline Poh, Chief Executive Officer – JTC Corporation, Singapore
▪️Lim Wey-Len, Executive Vice President & Member of the Executive Committee – Singapore Economic Development Board
(from left to right)
Introducing the debate format this year, the session titled “New Trade and Climate Policies of the US” affirmed Asia’s self-reliance, with the winning argument stressing that the region’s downstream sector will thrive by capitalising on regional partnerships and a determined, independent decarbonisation path, regardless of shifting US policy.
▪️Dempsy Robby Kambey, General Manager Asset Management – PT Kreasindo Resources, Indonesia
▪️Dr. Ruengsak Thitiratsakul, Advisor – Petroleum and Energy Institute of Thailand, Thailand
▪️Peter Godfrey, Managing Director, APAC – Energy Institute, Singapore
▪️Kapil Sahni, Chief Transformation Officer – Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical, Vietnam
▪️Beni Suryadi, Senior Manager of ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) and Strategic Partnership – ASEAN Centre for Energy Indonesia
(from left to right)
This forward-looking discussion was complemented by the session “Downstream Disrupted: The Next Decade of Transformation,” which explored how refining and petrochemicals are moving beyond traditional fuels to become integrated, low-carbon platforms, prioritising circularity and digitalisation to navigate unprecedented disruption.
▪️Syed Saggaf, Regional Director for Asia Pacific (APAC) – Energy Industries Council (EIC), Malaysia
▪️Hassan Alyami, Vice President, Ras Tanura Refinery – Aramco, Saudi Arabia
▪️Kapil Sahni, Chief Transformation Officer – Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical, Vietnam
(from left to right)
Key Speakers and Sponsors
Among key speakers were
- Dr. Weerawat Chantanakome, Honorary Counsellor, Ministry of Energy Thailand Senior Counsel on Energy Policy, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Thailand
- Dr. Shiun Chen, Senior Vice President, Strategy and Corporate Development, Sarawak Energy, Malaysia
- Alwyn Bowden, CEO, Pengerang Energy Complex, Singapore
- Kapil Sahni, Chief Transformation Officer, Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical, Vietnam
- Karen Andries, Vice President, Country Delegate Asia Pacific, TotalEnergies, Singapore
- Mai Tuan Dat, Vice President & CTO, Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical JSC, Vietnam
- Dr. Partha P. Maitra, President, Strategy & Initiatives, Reliance Industries Ltd., India
- Dr. Suracha Udomsak, Chief Operations and Innovation Officer, SCGC, Thailand
- Steven Bartholomeusz, Head of Public and Regulatory Affairs, Asia Pacific, Neste, Singapore
- Dwi Minarto, Vice President, IT, PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional, Indonesia
- Dr. Nuki Agya Utama, Director for Energy Policy and Head of Asia Zero Emission Center, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), Indonesia
Sponsors who supported the event include gold sponsors Becht as well as silver sponsors Aspen Aerogels and Baker Hughes among others.
Recognising Industry Excellence
The annual Asian Downstream Summit Awards which honour and recognise industry visionaries and companies who have showcased outstanding performances and innovative technologies took place during the event with Ms. Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore as the guest of honour presenting the awards.
The winners of the seven categories are:
| Downstream Project of the Year | Run Longer, Perform Stronger: Turbine Efficiency Redefined PETRONAS Chemicals Ethylene Sdn. Bhd. |
| Innovations in Oil & Gas Digital Technology | Enterprise-Wide Digital Solution for Furnace/Cracker Optimisation in Olefin Plants Ingenero |
| Sustainable Plant of the Year | Brick by Brick: A Step Towards NZCE 2050 PETRONAS Chemicals Olefins Sdn. Bhd., PETRONAS Chemicals Glycols Sdn. Bhd., PETRONAS Chemicals Derivatives Sdn. Bhd. |
| Sustainable Technology of the Year | From Concept to Impact : Decarbonising the Future with High-Efficiency CO2Tru for Post-Combustion CO2 Mitigation PETRONAS Research Sdn Bhd |
| Young Engineer of the Year | Manesha Thiyaga Rajan PETRONAS |
| Female Engineer of the Year | Yee Ching Sng Green COP Pte Ltd |
| Leader of the Year | Taufik Aditiyawarman PT Kilang Pertamina Internasional |
The successful conclusion of the event highlights the region’s journey towards a sustainable future. As the industry continues to evolve, Asian Downstream Summit, Asian Refining Technology Conference and Ammonia & Carbon Capture Asia will remain crucial platforms for industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive the adoption of low-carbon solutions.
Following its success, the Asian Downstream Summit, Asian Refining Technology Conference and Ammonia & Carbon Capture Asia will be back next year on 28 and 29 October 2026, co-located with the Singapore International Energy Week. Pencil in these dates!
To find out more about 2026 information, book a meeting with our sales team HERE to find out more.