Petrochemical Industry Fundamentals Workshop

Mary Blackburn

Director, Market Planning Services, IHS Chemical

Mary is a chemical engineering graduate from the University of Texas with 30 years of experience in the petrochemical industry. Mary’s career with Oxirane/Arco Chemical included project engineering, process engineering, Olefins production planning and product movement coordination. When Lyondell Petrochemical Co. was created from Arco Chemical and Arco Products Company assets, Mary developed Lyondell’s petrochemical market research function and later added Customer Service to her supervisory responsibilities.

With 10 years of experience in the petrochemical industry, Mary joined CMAI in April 1990 as a general consultant. Shortly after that, Mary had responsibility for polyester raw materials (C8 chain and ethylene glycol) and supported the Aromatics Market Advisory Service, the World EO/EG Analysis Service, and the World Xylenes/Terephthalates Strategic Review.

In 1996, Mary accepted the challenge of managing the conversion of CMAI’s extensive database to new software. In 1997, Mary transferred into the position of Director, Chlor-Alkali & Vinyls Studies, where she was one of the consultants supporting the Global Chlor-Alkali Market Advisory Service, the World Chlor-Alkali Analysis Service, the World Vinyls Analysis Service, the Global Soda Ash Service, and the World Soda Ash Analysis Service. She also supported Business Advisory engagements focused on the chlor-alkali, vinyls, and soda ash areas.

In her current role, Mary manages the execution of IHS Chemical’s World Analysis Services (currently 18), Workshops (currently 5), Chemical Company Analyses, (4-6 per year), Regional Petrochemical Handbooks, and other Planning Advisory Services.

Joel Chow

Director, Consulting, Asia, IHS Chemical

Joel Chow is a Director with IHS Chemical Consulting after IHS acquired Chemical Market Associates, Inc. (CMAI). In 2010, Joel joined CMAI as a Consultant in the Business Advisory Services Group. Joel has more than 16 years experience in the petrochemical and oil refining industry. He has taken on various technical and commercial roles in Asia and in the US within the industry. With IHS and CMAI, Joel has managed key studies for Asian and international clients involving technology and commercial aspects of different chemical markets. Prior to joining CMAI, Joel was a Senior Consultant based in Thailand with Nexant Asia.

Prior to 2008, Joel had a 13-year career with ExxonMobil where he held various operations, technical and commercial roles in Asia and the US Gulf Coast. Among these, Joel was responsible for the commercial optimization of all of ExxonMobil’s Aromatics facilities and supply chain within Asia. From 2003 to 2007, Joel headed the Aromatics Technology group in ExxonMobil Singapore. From 2001 to 2003, Joel was Asset Support Engineer for ExxonMobil Chemical in the Aromatics Technology Department, TX, US.