Post-Event Report: 32nd World LPG Forum & 2019 European LPG Congress

The 32nd World LPG Forum & 2019 European LPG Congress showed unprecedented value for attendees, exhibitors, and visitors. It brought together the best aspects of the World LPG Forum and the European LPG Congress, representing two annual events rolled into one exceptional conference and exhibition and numerous side events. Read some extracts from the WLPGA Post-Event Report on PetrolPlaza, or view the full report below.

The event held on 24th-27th September 2019 in Amsterdam at the RAI Convention Center, was an enormous success. This event had been one of the largest Forum & Congress to date, seeing more than 2,000 attendees come to the venue and over 120 exhibitors who showcased their products and services over the 3 days.

"Amsterdam was a truly enriching global event where participants from all continents debated the real challenges and opportunities we have in developing LPG as a sustainable fuel for the future. A great success." – Mr Henry Cubbon, WLPGA President & Managing Director, DCC LPG, UK.

Liquid Gas Europe Steering Committee

Liquid Gas Europe’s Steering Committee opened with a conversation by Mr Pascal Cermak, Head of Market Intelligence of BDR Thermea group, on the current trends in the heating market in Europe and his vision on current and future products to meet the demand for heating in a cost-effective and sustainable way. The Committee then discussed strategic issues for the future activities of the association, including the annual work programme for 2020, a year of political change and opportunity in Europe.

WLPGA Matrix Day

The WLPGA Matrix Day kicked off with the four Goals: Communications, Innovation and Technology, Standards, and finally Market Development. These sessions discussed a wide range of topics, including further outreach for Autogas, a newly completed study on bioLPG from Cellulose and Wastes, LPG as a credible alternative marine fuel within the shipping industry, how the Internet of Things (IoT) affects the LPG industry, and strategic issues for the future activities of the association. Other features of the day included Mr James Rockall, WLPGA CEO & Managing Director, who thanked Mr Henry Cubbon, DCC LPG, for his support, and lastly Ms Alison Abbott's introduction of Ms Paula Frigerio, Chief Innovation & Development Officer from Abastible, Chile who is being proposed as the new chair of WINLPG.

World LPG Challenge '19

The three finalists for the first WLPGA Start-up competition, World LPG Challenge ’19, pitched off against each other in an exciting session during the 32nd World LPG Forum & 2019 European LPG Congress in Amsterdam on 26th September. They had made their way to the final by impressing the judges amongst the 17 submissions received. The World LPG Challenge ‘19 was a call to companies and Start-ups to engage the LPG industry and create ideas for new safety solutions and new safety training opportunities supported by a refreshed safety culture.The finalists were Propane Safety App (USA), Augmentaio GmbH (Germany) and DeepSight AI Labs (India). In a tight contest, where the result was determined by the audience in the room who used their WLPGA App to vote, Augmentaio emerged the winner and received the €5,000 prize.

"LPG is low carbon but to get to the target of the UK government, it isn’t low carbon enough. BioLPG is a game changer. The future has to be bio." – Ms Lucy Cook, Director of Communications and Member Services, Liquid Gas UK.

Autogas Day

The inaugural international Autogas Day brought together 170 participants and 15 high-level speakers to discuss global market trends, technology developments, OEM views on Autogas and local success stories. The discussions revolved around the potential for increasing Autogas market share given the current global energy transition. Some of the key highlights from the discussion include: The single most important measure for Autogas market development is a lower tax on the fuel. Affordability for the consumer is key. There is scope for improving LPG efficiency and the technology. Disincentives for diesel and complementary applications with electrification can help secure market share. Policymakers need a technology-neutral approach. Only
supporting electrification goes against the spirit of DAFI (the EU Directive on Alternative Fuels Infrastructure). OEMs have a dilemma between delivering solutions now, and having to invest billions in long-term solutions. The most important element for Autogas is external communications on the value proposition now – and bioLPG for the future. Autogas is the most accessible and
versatile alternative energy in the world.

"$54 billion is the saving in health care due to less pollution. Autogas is at cross-roads, it could play an important role as a bridging fuel to a sustainable transport system." – Mr Trevor Morgan, Managing Director, Menecon Consulting.

>> READ THE FULL REPORT HERE <<