Roeland Baan

Roeland Baan joined Topsoe as President and CEO in 2020 with a clear focus on establishing the company as a leader in technologies and solutions for the energy transition. He is leading the company’s nearly 3,000 employees across a dozen countries in rewriting the future of fuels production. Roeland engages in dialogues and forums with other key opinion leaders to identify and deploy solutions that enable the global energy transition. He often shares his perspectives on matters ranging from decarbonization of energy-intensive industries to electrolyzer capacity, new technologies that support carbon emission reductions, and the challenges and regulatory frameworks needed to achieve a fair and inclusive green energy transition. Roeland has more than 40 years of experience developing businesses, supporting customer relationships, driving growth, building cohesive organizations and amassing deep operational and strategic knowledge across the energy, fuel and steel industries. Prior to joining Topsoe, he was President and CEO of Outokumpu, a producer of stainless steel, and before that CEO of rolled and extruded products at aluminum manufacturer Aleris. Roeland also held leadership positions at Arcelor Mittal, SHV NV and Shell. He serves as Chairman of SBM Offshore NV and is member of the Syensqo Board of Directors and the Hydrogen Council Board. Roeland earned an M.S. in economics from Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

11:20

Hydrogen ICC Hall B 11:20 - 12:00

Making the case for FID in hydrogen projects

As companies strategically reassess their capital allocation - largely driven by factors such as economic conditions, technological advancements and shifting market dynamics - major energy players are narrowing their focus to hydrogen ventures with the strongest commercial potential. This includes projects likely to advance to final investment decisions and secure reliable offtake agreements from industries most viable for uptake such as refineries, chemicals, and steel. Energy companies seeking to reach FID in hydrogen projects must navigate the nexus of policy frameworks, demand certainty, cost structures, and evolving technologies. Delivering energy in the most cost- and carbon-efficient way possible requires meticulous permitting, robust contract negotiations, and proactive demand creation, particularly in regions offering the best production economics. Despite challenges, the emerging hydrogen market offers substantial opportunities for growth and decarbonisation.

Attendee insights:

Gain a comprehensive overview of commercially viable hydrogen projects, and learn how strategic investment, regulatory rigor, and targeted demand creation are shaping hydrogen’s role in the global energy system.