National Labs Low-Carbon Base Chemicals Workshop

The Gulf Coast is the energy capital of the world, the home of the largest petrochemical sector in the nation, and is well-positioned to lead the research and technology development needed for an energy-abundant, low-carbon future.

Join the Greater Houston Partnership for a Chatham House Rules workshop convening national labs and industry to identify research and development opportunities for a more efficient, resilient and lower-carbon energy system for base chemicals in the Gulf Coast. This workshop will be held by the Partnership, the Houston Energy Transition Initiative, Oak Ridge National Lab, the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), and Argonne National Lab.

Keynote Speaker

Aleksey “Alex” Yezerets
Chief Engineer, Accelera by Cummins

Alex Yezerets will deliver a keynote address on the power of partnerships between industry and national labs. Yezerets will discuss in-depth examples from his time at Cummins with Oak Ridge, Sandia, and Pacific Northwest National Labs to develop the technologies that allowed Cummins to meet diesel engine emission standards three years early. This example has learnings and insights for future partnerships in Houston with the national labs.

Plenary Speaker

Dhaval Shah
General Manager for Corporate Technology & Innovation, SABIC

Dhaval Shah is currently the General Manager for Corporate Technology & Innovation at SABIC. He has a PhD in Chemical Engineering and joined the company in 2001. Over the years, he has had varying roles ranging from sustainability programs, bio and recycling technologies, new materials research, basic chemicals catalysis and process development. His team is currently focused on long-range strategic platforms for decarbonization, minimizing plastic waste, specialty agri-nutrients, novel material solutions for important growth markets such as automotive, flexible and rigid packaging, consumer electronics, personal hygiene, pipes and foams.