PRINCETON, NJ – Informex Show Management has announced the keynote speaker for the inaugural Informex Specialty Chemicals Conference, to be held in Houston, TX, on May 11, 2010. The speaker will be Lee E. Mikles, President and CEO of FutureFuel Corp., a U.S. manufacturer of biofuels and specialty chemicals.
 
The Specialty Chemicals Conference seeks to provide a platform for the specialty and industrial chemical industries to network and gather valuable information in one of the most vibrant hubs of U.S. chemical production.
 
Mikles’ keynote address will examine overarching trends within the specialties sector, explore growth opportunities, and will look at how industry changes have shaped individuals and their roles. Looking to the future, he will identify strategies for success in the post-recession economic climate and discuss the market outlook for the next three-to-five years.
 
In addition to the keynote session, the conference will feature a tabletop exhibition and two panel discussions that will examine key industry issues in greater depth. The first session will evaluate the latest strategies for sourcing and chemical tolling projects both domestically and internationally, with a critique of current business strategies and a review of issues such as cost comparison, accessibility, depth of product line and quality. The second panel will focus on capitalizing on a new market for your products, navigating production flow across different markets and evaluating the strike points in growing markets. The session aims to help participants forge new strategic partnerships that facilitate diversification.
 
The conference will conclude with two in-depth case studies. One case study will focus on how to use the most efficient technology in day-to-day operations that will enhance business, including catalysis, continuous processing and microprocessing. The other case study will look at the regenerative cycle of chemicals and how to minimize waste.
 
The full conference program and registration details can be found at www.informex.com/specialty-houston.