Industry Forum: Afternoon Industry Forums Provide Deep Vertical Dive

By Keith Larson, Group Publisher/Vice President of Content

From 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 24, 2011, Emerson Exchange attendees can choose from among seven Industry Forums for an exploration of topics of specific concern to the process industry segments.

Alternative Energy (1:00-2:30 p.m., Bayou AB)
The overall theme of the Alternative Energy Forum is "Legislative and Political State of Industry." Presentations on tap will include an overview of the current state of federal funding programs and tax incentives that impact the bio-energy market, and the impact of integrated control on technology commercialization and process scale-up. Panelists include Michael McAdams, Advanced Biofuels Association, and Brian McWhorter, Coskata.

Chemicals (1:00-2:30 p.m., Canal AB)

What Does FDA's Latest Guidance Say About PAT?Does industry understand what the FDA is trying to accomplish with its latest Process Validation guidance? Take the quiz at http://lnkd.in/rUubCQ or scan this QR code to participate. Then go to the Life Sciences Industry Forum on Oct. 24, 2011, at 1 p.m. in Governors E to find out how your understanding stacks up!Under the banner of "Chemical Industry Polarization," the Chemicals Industry Forum will explore the changing basis of competition in the chemical industry, as companies race to become either low-cost suppliers or high-value solution providers. Join your colleagues in a discussion of current trends in the chemical industry and the implications for the future role of automation. Guest speakers include Jos Berkien, Akzo Nobel, and Yousuf Shaikh, INEOS ChlorVinyls.

Engineering (1:00-2:30 p.m, Governors A)
"Succeeding in Global Project Execution" is theme of this year's Engineering Industry Forum. Panelists Manual Hernandez of Fluor and Glenn Gregg, Sr., of Emerson Process Management will lead a discussion including topics such as work process integration, high value cost-center sourcing and fit-for-purpose design.

Life Sciences (1:00-2:30 p.m., Governors E)
The Life Sciences Industry Forum will discuss the impacts of the recently released FDA guidance on lifecycle-based process validation. The guidance has far-reaching implications to the industry and can be interpreted as the driver for quality-by-design (QbD) methodologies through the application of process analytical technology (PAT). Panels from government and across industry include Helen Winkle of the FDA; Melissa Herkt, Emerson; Carl Anderson, Duquesne University; Lars Peterson, Roche-Genentech; Brian Eden, Mylan Laboratories; and Prakash Parab, Bristol Myers Squibb.

Oil & Gas (1:00-2:30 p.m., Bayou CD)

FDA Director to Address Life Sciences Industry Forum
Dr. Helen Winkle, Director of the Office of Pharmaceutical Sciences (OPS) in the FDA Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), will provide the keynote address at the Life Sciences Industry Forum today at 1:00 p.m. in room Governors E. This year's industry forum focuses on the new FDA guidance, Process Validation: General Principles and Practices, released in January 2011. The guidance has far-reaching implications to the industry and can be interpreted as the driver for QbD and in-line process analytical technology (PAT) controls. Following the keynote, an industry panel discussion will tackle the impact of the new guidance on manufacturing—and "Mythbusters" style—the panelists' opinions will be compared to a survey of life sciences professionals.

Industry experts will explore the challenges that new technologies bring to natural gas development and the economic impact that they will have on oil and gas companies and the countries in which they operate. Discussion topics include the emergence of shale gas as an economically viable energy source, the EPA regulatory landscape, the differences between "conventional" and "unconventional" gas, and the potential conversion of planned regasification terminals into liquefaction terminals. Panelists include David Newman and Larry Irving, Emerson Process Management; John Deakins, BP America; Misty Isaacs, Chesapeake Operating, Inc.; and Alex E. Guiscardo, ExxonMobil.

Pulp & Paper (1:00-2:30 p.m., Canal CD)
The Pulp & Paper Industry Forum will tackle current industry trends and challenges, including the use of wireless and digital bus technologies; latching onto the "green" movement; and managing legacy system/upgrade needs in the face of capital constraints. Scheduled panelists include Franz Maischberger, Mondi Group; John Weden, Weyerhaeuser; Barbara Hamilton, Emerson; and Scott Kukulka, Packaging Corporation of America.

Refining & Petrochemicals (1:00-2:30 p.m., Governors C)
In the mode of "Recovery and Reinvestment," the refining industry is coming out of the global economic downturn that began in 2008. Capital projects large and small, along with reinvestment, were put on hold over the past couple years. As fuels and petrochemicals demand and margins return, refiners are evaluating options to enhance operations and energy efficiency, improve reliability, comply with new regulations and augment safety with all investments. Panelists include Steve Elwart, Ergon Refining; Chris Ryan, LyondellBasell; and Ed Schodowski, Emerson.