Plenary Program
AFCC Conference Plenary Program
Plenary Program Information​
There will be three plenaries with featured keynote opinion and thought leaders as they discuss the state of play for the areas of growth opportunities. Attendees will learn about the necessary factors to successful commercialization and decarbonization in sustainable aviation fuels, alternative fuels, renewable chemicals (includes bioplastics), biomaterials, food ingredients and additives, flavors and fragrances, alternative proteins, and regenerative agriculture.
The plenaries at the conference will include diverse and dynamic speakers, a broad range of content from keynotes to panel discussions and innovation for a sustainable future. All other sessions will stop for the plenaries.
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​Lunch Plenary Session, Thursday, November 21, 11:45 to 1:15 PM (ET) - Wilson Woodrow Ballroom
​Sustainable Value Chain Perspectives on Low Carbon Feedstocks for SAF, Renewable Chemicals and Biobased Products
Sponsored by:
​Moderator: Valerie Sarisky-Reed, DOE Director, Bioenergy Technologies Office
​Speakers:
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The Honorable Jim Pillen Governor of Nebraska
These sustainable leaders in agricultural products will provide their vision on agricultural crops emerging as critical feedstocks for sustainable alternative fuels (SAF) and renewable chemicals – the carbon intensity (CI) of those feedstocks relative to fossil fuels - based incumbents must be lower to provide value as sectors strive to reduce their carbon emissions. Low CI values begin at the farm as regenerative agriculture practices provide clear reductions in the carbon profile of plant based alternative chemicals and fuels. The panelists will explore regenerative agriculture practices combined with agricultural technology applications, impact measurement and verification end-user involvement can meet challenges across agricultural feedstock value chains.
Breakfast Plenary Session, Friday, November 22, 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM (ET) - Wilson Woodrow Ballroom
Introductory Remarks, Gregory Jaffe, Senior Advisor Office of the USDA Secretary
Biomanufacturing for Renewable Chemicals and Biomaterials – What is the Success Rate Today?
Sponsored By:
Moderator: Michael Saltzberg, MA Saltzberg Consulting (formerly CEO, Covation Biomaterials)
Speakers:
Today, the success rate for converting the chemical industry from fossil fuels to sustainably produced renewable chemicals and biomaterials is measured by decarbonization. The use of renewable feedstocks, the release of the 1-billion-ton study, tools such as synthetic biology, and processes that reduce the carbon footprint is still not moving biomanufacturing rapidly as anticipated as per the data showing reaching time to market. The once pipe dream that better technologies and feedstocks will make sustainable chemicals cheaper, reduce emissions, and move the chemical industry away from fossil fuels entirely may require polices that mandate adding cost of emissions into products made from fossil fuels – would price on carbon move the needle on biomanufacturing? The thought leaders in this panel will explore moving biomanufacturing at an increased speed and removing barriers.
Lunch Plenary Session, Friday, November 22, 11:45 to 1:15 PM (ET) - Wilson Woodrow Ballroom
Financing SAF Projects – Environmental Benefits Measured
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Sponsored By: ​
Introductory Remarks, Jeff Marootian, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
​Moderator: Andrew Wishnia, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate, Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation, EpicWorks Advisors
​Speakers:
The requirements for appropriate finance models for SAF manufacturing facilities will be discussed by the panelists – the financial gap analysis, development capital barriers, requirements for approval by government agencies, equity providers and strategics . The readiness for projects and what are the economic requirements and stable policies. The tax incentives in IRA 2022 and Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act provide opportunities for producers/developers, airlines and airports – but there continues to be issues regarding feedstock availability, consistent compositions for feedstocks, appropriate feedstock policies eligible for tax incentives, technology risks, lifecycle parameters, demonstrations, high cost of production are all barriers. Projects are delayed, not funded, high capital costs, and cap ex reduction are not occurring. We will hear from these leading panelists on challenges and solutions.