Expanding Biofuels Opportunities in Central America and the Caribbean

There has been a big push for biofuels development in Central America and the Caribbean, led by the US and Brazil, to help these nations become less dependent on oil imports and to focus on biofuel production and development from local crops. 

The 3rd annual Biofuels Markets Americas will be hosted in Miami and will bring together international, key players to address the development, opportunities and challenges for the Biofuels industry in Central America, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Many countries are now following the Brazilian model and establishing National Biofuels Plans with key targets aimed at energy independence, biofuels production growth, replacement of petrol transport fuels with biofuels and expansion plans generating investment in new feedstocks, biofuels production plants and export-related facilities.

• How realistic is a vision of biofuels in this marketplace?
• What are the prospects for inter-American export/import?
• Is the Caribbean Basin Initiative a lucrative bioethanol opportunity?
• What synergies are needed across the region to promote closer collaboration in alternative fuel commercialisation?
• What are the best practices for securing investment in the region?

Over 230 delegates have attended this industry leading event over the past two years - click here to see who

“I made some very interesting business contacts throughout the event, and also developed ideas for new ventures” Green Alchemy Brazil

Day One, May 21st 2008

08.30	Registration and Refreshments
09.00	Chairman’s Introduction Alfredo Langesfeld, GEA Biodiesel
09.15	Keynote Session: Global Biofuels Market Potential and Opportunities Market drivers and challenges Where are we now? Plans for the future Keynote Speakers: Faith Corneile, Energy and Agriculture Officer, Office of Economic Policy, US Department of State (reporting on The US-Brazil Biofuels Initiative) Sean O'Hanlon, Executive Director, ABC (American Biofuels Council) Senior representative, Petrobras Mark Lambrides, Chief of Sustainable Energy and Climate Change, OAS (Organisation of American States)
11.00	Networking Coffee Break
11.30	Opportunities and Barriers in Emerging Regional Markets What are the main technical and financial obstacles? Infrastructure needs and challenges Producing ethanol for domestic market or for export Opening presentation: Otto L Garcia, Regional Co-ordinator, Mesoamerica Biofuels Group Each speaker will give a short presentation (5-10 minutes) followed by panel discussion: Manlio Coviello, Energy Specialist, ECLAC (Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean) Julio Cesar Rodriguez, Vice Ministry of Energy and Mines, Paraguay Salvador Rivas, Ministry of Mines and Energy, El Salvador Alma Santa Rita Feregrino, Deputy Director of Energy and the Environment, Secretary of Energy, Mexico
12.40	Networking Lunch
14.00	Biofuels Country Case Studies Holding Promise for Central America and the Caribbean Each speaker will give a short presentation (5-10 minutes) followed by panel discussion: Jose Guillermo Leon Florez, VP, Refining and Petrochemicals, Ecopetrol, Colombia Jayant Godbole, Regional Office-Americas, PRAJ Industries
14.45	Networking Coffee Break
15.15	Investing in Biofuels - Attracting Private Sector Development Challenges of raising finance What roles can banks play in fostering good policy development in the region? Project finance through equity and private markets Biofuels and CDM Each speaker will give a short presentation (5-10 minutes) followed by panel discussion: Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho, Bioenergy Specialist, IADB (Inter American Development Bank) Ivo Besselink, Associate Programme Officer, UNFCCC A representative, Banker, WestLB
16.00	Biofuels Regulation, Policy and Sustainability Issues Caribbean Basin Initiative - a lucrative bioethanol opportunity? What is the state of the regulatory framework? How does policy change from country to country? How does the Brazilian regulatory framework compare with Central America and the Caribbean? Tax incentives, subsidies and government support Impacts on rural communities, land use policies and biodiversity Bolstering trade ties Each speaker will give a short presentation (5-10 minutes) followed by panel discussion: Ron White, Chief Executive Officer, EthylChem, Trinidad & Tobago Roger Conway, Director Energy Policy & New Uses, USDA
16.30	Close of Day One - Networking Cocktail Reception

Day Two, May 22nd 2008

08.30	Refreshments
09.00	Chairman's Introduction Graciela de Marzio, VP Biofuels & Feedstocks, Tecnon OrbiChem, Brazil
09.15	Ensuring Feedstock Supply Current feedstock options New feedstocks for bioethanol and biodiesel Food vs fuel debate Each speaker will give a 5 minute overview followed by panel discussion: Case Studies: Jatropha Jatropha as a primary feedstock of choice in subtropical regions Evaluating the commercial potential of Jatropha Developing production and quality standards for Jatropha-based biofuels Mike Lu, President, ABPPM (Brazilian Jatropha Growers Association) and Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Business Development, Curcas Diesel Brasil, Brazil Rafael Abbud, Director, JetBio Georgia Cunha, Vice President, Fundacao Espaco Eco Greg Hawkins, Business Development, Amelot Holdings David Luther, Executive Director, IDDI (Instituto Dominicana de Desarrollo Integral), Dominican Republic
10.15	Case Studies: Ethanol - Reviving the Sugar Industry Joel Velasco, Chief Representative - North America, UNICA - Brazilian Sugar Cane Industry Association Curtis Mohammed, General Manager, Trinidad Bulk Traders Ltd
10.45	Networking Coffee Break
11.15	Case Study: Tropical Sugar Beet in Latin America Iván González, Biofuels New Ventures Manager, Syngenta International AG
11.30	Case Studies: Biodiesel - African Oil Palm Percival Andrade, Technical Director, La Fabril, Ecuador Gary Haer, VP, Sales and Marketing, REG, USA Jorge Stambuk, Technical Director, Biodiesel de Santander, Colombia
12.30	Networking Lunch
13.30	Regional Biofuels Case Study: Biodiesel in Argentina Feedstocks Trading/export issues and impacts on the economy Alfredo Langesfeld, GEA Biodiesel
13.50	Production, Refining and Quality Building on biofuel production opportunities How can quality and standards be met? Ensuring small-scale farmers benefit from biofuels - will the Brazilian model work where incentives given to producers to source raw materials from small holders and local farmers? In larger scale operation, is access to processing equipment an obstacle? Is this an opportunity for domestic manufacturers? Each speaker will give a short overview (5-10 minutes) followed by panel discussion: Maureen Wilson, Manager, Sugar Industry Research Institute, Jamaica Claudio Antonio Bertelli, Renewable Energy and Chemicals, UOP Willem A. Bron, Program Coordinator Biofuels, SNV
14.30	Networking Coffee Break
15.00	Panel:  Towards Next Generation Biofuels Opportunities and challenges for biofuels production from cellulosic biomass Expanding the feedstock supply Each speaker will give a short overview followed by question and answer session: Gregory Pal, Sr. Director, Corporate Development, LS9, Inc Tracy Mathews, Director of Business Development, Coskata Senior representative of Monsanto Troy Campione, Senior Vice President of Business  Development, Solazyme Neil Renninger, Co-founder, Amyris Biotechnologies
15.45	Close of Conference

Speaking Opportunities

We are now accepting speaking proposals for this event. If you are involved in the extended Biofuels Markets value chain in the Americas and would like to submit a speaking proposal (presentation title, 4-5 bullet points and brief synopsis) then please contact

The Biofuels Markets World Series
Now in its 4th year, the Biofuels Markets World Series is an annual calendar of events which provide an excellent platform to do business with biofuels industry leaders in rapidly expanding markets, keeping you on the road to greater profitability. Over 5000 high calibre delegates have attended the series to date.

Biofuels Markets Americas
With a proven track record of delivering high quality attendees, Biofuels Markets Americas offers an integrated solution of brand positioning, business development and face-to-face networking opportunities with leading regional decision makers under one roof.

Cost effective packages to meet your business needs
Cost effective packages to meet your business needs If you are looking to win prospective clients, strengthen existing relationships or enhance your company profile, we will help you do so in a cost effective manner.

Contact Yahya Al Barrishi for further details
Tel: 00971 4 214 9582 or 0044 207 801 6333
Email:

Who will you meet?

Over 230 biofuels professionals have participated in past editions of Biofuels Markets Americas, which bring together players from the entire value chain to discuss best practices in sustainable biofuels market expansion. Our events stand out for the unparalleled number of biofuels producer companies we attract and the level of detail and knowledge reflected in our event programs.

Here’s who you’ll meet at Biofuels Markets Americas

• Biofuels Producers
• Equipment & Technology Solutions
• Project Developers/Consultants/
• Consulting Engineers
• Press
• Governmental
• Chemical & Agricultural Suppliers
• Banks/Investors/Insurance
• Universities/Research/Non Profits
• Oil/Petroleum/Refining
• Feedstock Producers
• Associations
• Other Corporates
• Automotive & Transport
• Commodity Traders & Brokers

Meet key players in the Latin biofuels industry, here are just some of the companies who have attended in previos years:

AES, Acceitera General Deheza, Acconia Biocombustibles, BASF, Bauche Energy, Bio Energy Peru, Biodiesel Sul, Biopetrol Trading, Bioenergy Resources, Biofuels SA, Biopetrol Industries, Bio-Pure Diesel, BNDES, Braskem, Canadian Renewable Fuels Association, Daimler Chrysler, Dedini, Degussa, Ecopetrol, Electrabel, Ford, GE Energy, Hitatchi, Home-Grown Cereals Authority, IADB, IFC, La Fabril, Maizar, Ministério da Agricultura, Mitsubishi, Noble, Novozymes, Pantaleon, Petrobras, Petropar, Petrotesting, Poet, Refinaria de Petróleos de Manguinhos, Repsol YPF, São Paulo State Environment Secretariat, Scania, Secretaría de Agricultura, Sindacucar, SoyEnergy, Tecop, Toyota, Unilever, Volkswagen