Bio
Silvia Román Suero is a Full Professor in the Applied Physics Department at the University of Extremadura (UEX), Spain. Her academic background is in Chemical Engineering, and she obtained her PhD at the Applied Physics Department of the UEX, focusing on the porosity development of biomass-activated carbons . Since 2010, her research has focused on HTC alone or in combination with other thermochemical processes. Research residences at the University of Évora (Portugal, 2 years), the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina, 3 months), and the University of Nevada (3 months, USA), along with her participation in joint research initiatives, have allowed her to develop a network of international collaborations in the fields of biomass processing and carbon material development. For Dr. Román, building long-term collaborative relationships is particularly rewarding, especially when they are accompanied by personal friendships. She has led several regional, national, and international projects on HTC, as well as contracts with companies. She is also the author of over 70 papers in JCR-indexed journals.

Talk
Sustainable carbon solutions using HTC technology: Products and Market Potential.

Bio
Dr. Judy Libra´s research on biochar has focused on understanding how conversion processes (hydrothermal carbonization, pyrolysis) affect product characteristics as well as impact the use of biochar materials in soil and in environmental applications. She started her career as a chemical engineer in the petrochemical industry before obtaining her Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering at UCLA. She received her degree in environmental process engineering from the Technische Universität Berlin (TUB), lecturing at both the TUB and the Brandenburg Technical University Cottbus. Her work at the German Federal Environment Agency and the German Academy of Science and Engineering (acatech) focused on the sustainable management of water resources, which in 2011 took her to the ATB, working first on water-use efficiency in agriculture and then on thermal conversion processes.

Talk
TerraNova®ultra Hydrothermal Carbonization Industrial Implementation and Business Model

Bio
After completing his electrical engineering studies at the University of Stuttgart, Marc Buttmann gained international professional experience in process automation, most recently in executive positions at medium-sized companies in the environmental and water industries. In 2008, he founded TerraNova Energy GmbH, which he continues to lead to this day. The company has established itself as a global pioneer in hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and processes organic waste materials such as sewage sludge and biowaste into renewable coal. With projects in China, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, and Poland, TerraNova Energy is an international leader in the commercial implementation of HTC. Another focus is on innovative solutions for phosphorus recovery, thermal pressure hydrolysis, and permanent CO2 removal from the atmosphere. TerraNova Energy has received multiple awards for its innovation, including the prestigious German Business Innovation Award.

Talk
Carbon Sequestration as a Climate Protection Measure. Creating Value from New Business Models with HTC.

Bio
Dr. Fritz Keller has experience in carbon sequestration and sustainable climate solutions, material sciences (e.g., innovative and sustainable surface coating solutions), automotive technologies (e.g., polymer and coolant chemistry and failure analysis of complex technical systems), and process engineering (e.g., dispersing and pyrotechnics) He also has many years of experience working on analytical, consulting, and technical and chemical-related issues, including knowledge transfer events and seminars. From 1997 to 2002 he worked for Pyrotechnics. From 2003 to 2010 he served as a Laboratory Manager in the Automotive Industry. From 2010 to 2012 he worked as a CRO in a Chemical Engineering Company, and from 2012 to 2022 he was a Laboratory Manager for thermal engineering and material sciences organizations. Since 2022 he has served as the General Manager of 4C-Chem .