The 10th anniversary edition of PRC Europe 2026 brought together refining and petrochemical leaders in Amsterdam for two days of strategic discussions and technical exchange. Throughout the Congress, participants focused on one of the downstream sector’s most pressing challenges: transforming decarbonisation ambitions into technically feasible and commercially viable industrial strategies.
The agenda explored how operators can advance transformation projects while maintaining operational reliability, investment discipline, and long-term competitiveness in an increasingly complex market environment.
Strong Industry Support and Strategic Partnerships
Fluor hosted PRC Europe 2026 with support from Regional Partners Lummus Technology, Sonatrach Raffineria Italiana S.r.l., Wood, and Repsol. KBR participated as Technology Partner, while EFuel Alliance and the German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce joined as Industry Partners.
These partnerships reinforced the Congress’s role as a leading platform for collaboration across the refining and petrochemical value chain.
Bridging the Gap Between Strategy and Execution
The opening executive panel examined the growing implementation gap between project approval and successful delivery. Industry leaders discussed key challenges surrounding refinery reconfiguration, hydrogen integration, circular economy initiatives, and low-carbon molecule development.
Addressing the balance between sustainability and operational reliability, Francesco Chiappini, Managing Director at Fluor, stated: “Future energy systems must deliver decarbonisation and energy security simultaneously to ensure sustainable progress.”
Panelists also explored resilience, capital allocation, strategic alignment, and execution certainty amid ongoing market volatility.
Technical Sessions Drive Industry Dialogue
Over the course of the event, delegates participated in expert panels, technical presentations, and roundtable discussions covering sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, hydrogen utilisation, refinery integration, and circular chemistry.
In addition, discussions highlighted opportunities to improve industrial energy efficiency, strengthen operational resilience, and create greater synergies between refining and petrochemical facilities. Johann Lainer, Marketing Communication Manager Europe at Watlow, emphasised the value of industry collaboration, noting that “PRC is a valuable place to connect OEMs, EPCs and users of the downstream industry.”
As per the press release, the technical programme also featured presentations from leading organisations including BASF, Shell, Honeywell Process Automation, Chevron Lummus Global, Technip Energies, KBR, Evonik, Alleima, TotalEnergies, Worley, McDermott, Sasol, NEUMAN & ESSER, and Fluor.
Decarbonisation Through Cross-Asset Collaboration
Among the event’s key technical highlights, Julien Grand, Near Zero Emissions Cracker Ecosystem Lead at TotalEnergies, discussed how refinery synergies can accelerate industrial decarbonisation efforts.
He explained that “cross-asset collaboration and intelligent resource integration can accelerate the achievement of net zero objectives, while ensuring long-term industrial competitiveness.”
His presentation underscored the growing importance of integrated approaches that combine sustainability goals with long-term business performance.
Networking Beyond the Conference Floor
The first day of the anniversary edition concluded with a gala dinner at De Duif in Amsterdam. The evening provided delegates with valuable opportunities for informal networking, business discussions, and relationship-building beyond the formal conference programme.
Circular Feedstocks and Advanced Recycling Take Centre Stage
The Congress concluded with a forward-looking discussion on the increasing role of circular feedstocks and advanced recycling technologies in refining and petrochemicals.
During the closing panel on maximising circular value, speakers examined topics such as pyrolysis oil upgrading, chemical recycling, contaminated waste treatment, and scalable circular production pathways.
Rajesh Sivadasan, Director of Technology at Chevron Lummus Global, highlighted the potential of hydroprocessing technologies, stating: “Hydroprocessing technologies are opening new pathways for converting mixed plastic waste, used tires and municipal waste into high-quality cracker-ready feedstocks for circular petrochemical production.”
The panel also addressed catalyst development, refinery-ready process configurations, and the commercial challenges associated with scaling circular value chains across global markets.
Looking Ahead to PRC Europe 2027
Building on the success of its 10th anniversary edition, PRC Europe will return on 24–25 May 2027 in Vösendorf, Austria. Organisers have already begun preparations as companies across the downstream sector secure opportunities for strategic partnerships, exclusive discussions, and high-level industry networking.
Companies interested in participating in the next edition can find additional information and registration details at: https://sh.bgs.group/4cj
