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HILT CRC Annual Conference: De-risking Decarbonisation
October 14 @ 11:30 am - October 16 @ 7:30 pm
HILT CRC ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Tuesday 14 October to Thursday 16 October 2025
Duxton Hotel Perth
In 2025, HILT CRC’s 4th Annual Conference returns to Perth. The event will kick off on Tuesday 14 October with a day open to the public, featuring a mix of industry and research speakers from inside and outside the CRC. Wednesday and Thursday will dive into project updates and discussions for HILT partners.
Our annual student retreat will again take place immediately before the conference, on Sunday 12th and Monday 13th.
Guest speakers
- Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA, WA Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation; Manufacturing; Skills and TAFE; Pilbara.
- Gretta Stephens, Member, Australian Climate Change Authority, and former Chief Executive, Climate Change & Sustainability, BlueScope.
- Dr Casper van der Eijk (Norway), Senior Researcher, SINTEF and Director, FME ZeMe – Zero Emissions Metal Production research centre.
- Professor Sangho Yi (Korea), Pohang University of Science and Technology’s Graduate Institute of Ferrous and Eco Materials Technology (POSTECH GIFT), and Director, Research Center for Hydrogen Steelmaking Technology.
- Raphael Costa (Brazil), Senior Vice President, Technology, Hydro Bauxite & Alumina.
- Dr Sreeraj Balachandran, Manager Climate Change, Rio Tinto Aluminium.
- Ron Knapp, Special Advisor to the Chair of China Hongqiao Group.
- Julia Pickworth, Deputy Secretary, Industry and Commercialisation Group, Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
- Katie Cook, Director, WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation (Energy Transition Strategies Division).
- Andrew Hamilton, Technical Director, Fortescue.
- Jessica Shaw, WA Program Director, The Superpower Institute, and a Director of Tactica Advisory.
CONFERENCE OUTLINE
Keep an eye on this webpage for more details as the event approaches.
CONFERENCE DELIVERY PARTNER
HILT CRC gratefully acknowledges the support of our Delivery Partner, the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA).
View the 2024 conference photo gallery
Watch the 2024 conference video:
GUEST SPEAKERS
Hon Amber-Jade Sanderson MLA, WA Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation; Manufacturing; Skills and TAFE; Pilbara
The opportunity for green metals and low-carbon materials – WA Government perspective
9:20am, Tuesday 14 October
Amber-Jade Sanderson was elected to the Western Australian Parliament in 2013. In 2017 she successfully contested the Legislative Assembly seat of Morley.
She currently serves as Western Australia’s Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation – a portfolio that places her at the forefront of one of the most critical global challenges: the transition to net zero. Her other portfolios include Manufacturing, Skills and TAFE and the Pilbara – positioning her to lead the development of new clean energy industries and local supply chain opportunities with a highly skilled workforce that is fit for the future.
A leader in progressive reform, Minister Sanderson was instrumental in delivering Western Australia’s landmark Voluntary Assisted Dying laws. As Chair of the Joint Select Committee on End-of-Life Choices, she led extensive community consultation and a rigorous parliamentary inquiry, working closely with then Health Minister Roger Cook in the successful passage of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill in 2019.
Minister Sanderson has previously held a range of senior portfolio responsibilities, including Health, Mental Health, Environment, Climate Action and Commerce. Prior to becoming a Minister, she served as Cabinet Secretary and Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier from 2017 to 2021.
Raised in Bayswater and Morley, Minister Sanderson also spent a large part of her youth in the UK during the Thatcher era. Witnessing the social and economic impacts of policy decisions on working families, shaping her commitment to public service and social justice. On returning to Australia in 2001, she built a career in the union movement, advocating for the rights of working people and low paid women.
Throughout her career, Minister Sanderson has championed social and industrial issues and good secure jobs for West Australians. Today, she brings that same passion and determination to her work driving Western Australia’s energy transformation and helping position the state as a global leader in decarbonisation.
Katie Cook, WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation
Panel discussion – The opportunity for green metals and low-carbon materials
10:05am, Tuesday 14 October
Katie Cook is an experienced director, advisor and engineer in in the renewables, oil and gas and mining industry.
She is a Director at the WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation in the Energy Transition Strategies Division, with a focus on supporting energy transition activities relating to iron, steel and ammonia and developing the Green Iron and Steel Action Plan.
In the past five years, she has coordinated and managed the implementation of the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, including the administration of the Renewable Hydrogen Fund, hydrogen hubs development, value chain analysis managing key stakeholders, and developing policy and technical advice.
Prior to joining the government, Katie worked around the world with Arup, a multinational consulting firm, for over 12 years. She was the Australasian Energy Skills Manager, responsible for the skills management, research and learning. This role included developing, implementing and monitoring strategy and budgets, leading government submissions, managing research, and knowledge sharing across the region.
She has worked on numerous projects including Optus Stadium, Gladstone Liquified Natural Gas Jetty, Gravitas Offshore Wind and Malampaya Phase 3 Depletion Compression Platform. She was worked closely with multiple parties to achieve innovative, efficient solutions while minimising risk and achieving deadlines.
Katie holds Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Commerce and a Postgraduate Award in Energy Futures and Transitions.
Gretta Stephens, Australian Climate Change Authority
Policy and incentives to develop markets for green products – national perspective
11:10am, Tuesday 14 October
Gretta Stephens is a highly experienced executive in the heavy industry sector, having worked for over 30 years in aluminium and steel in Australia and New Zealand with Rio Tinto, Alcoa and BlueScope.
As Chief Executive of New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter and later Chief Executive of BlueScope’s New Zealand & Pacific Islands business unit, she led businesses navigating their climate and sustainability impacts, the role of large industrial users in the energy system, and the significance of the policy environment.
In 2021, Gretta became BlueScope’s first Chief Executive, Climate Change & Sustainability, the first such role in a major Australian industrial company. This role and the new corporate function enabled the development of a decarbonisation roadmap for BlueScope’s global operations.
Gretta has long had a passion for heavy industry, recognising its strategic importance and value creation for communities and nations. In recent roles she has been dedicated to advancing the enablers necessary for sustaining these industries through the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Beyond her executive leadership, Gretta has actively contributed to government, industry and community initiatives, serving on the NZ Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Council, NZ Business and Parliamentary Trust Board, Advisory Committee to the Electricity Authority Board, and Chamber of Commerce Board. She has also been an engaged voice in public discussions on industrial decarbonisation.
Having recently transitioned from full-time corporate life, Gretta continues to drive climate action as a Member of the Australian Climate Change Authority.
Gretta is an alumna of Monash University, holding a BSc in Chemistry & Materials Science and a BE in Materials Engineering (Hons).
Dr Casper van der Eijk, SINTEF and FME ZeMe
Decarbonising the Norwegian metallurgical industry
11:25am, Tuesday 14 October
Casper van der Eijk is senior researcher in the Process Metallurgy and Raw Materials group at SINTEF, a research institute in Norway with over 2,000 employees. He has a MSc degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Delft University of Technology (1994), a PhD in Metallurgy from The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (1999), and is the director of Norway’s FME ZeMe – Zero Emissions Metal Production research centre.
Professor Sangho Yi, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH)
Flexible pathways to green steel: POSCO’s HyREX and CO₂-reducing bridge technologies for Australian iron ore
2:05pm, Tuesday 14 October
Sangho Yi’s research focuses on innovative ironmaking pathways, with an emphasis on green steel technology to address climate change. He led the development of FINEX® in POSCO, which was successfully commercialised following a pilot development process that began with basic research. He currently serves as the chair of the Korean Government’s research project planning committee for industrial materials and is engaged in the development of a hydrogen-reduced steel process (HyREX®), innovative CO2 reduction technologies for the blast furnace route, and the development of Carbon Capture and Utilisation technology using FINEX® off-gas.
Since January 2024, he has served as a professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology’s Graduate Institute of Ferrous and Eco Materials Technology (POSTECH GIFT), and as director of the Research Center for Hydrogen Steelmaking Technology (HySRI). In addition, Prof. Yi is participating in a national demonstration project that aims to reduce CO2 emissions by injecting heated hydrogen into a blast furnace.
Raphael Costa, Senior Vice President, Technology, Hydro Bauxite & Alumina – Brazil
How emerging technologies can enable the decarbonisation of alumina refineries
3:35pm, Tuesday 14 October
Raphael Costa is responsible for technology development, R&D, digital transformation and the bauxite and alumina (B&A) lean manufacturing-based business system (BABS). The B&A Technology group also provides support to the operations, including bauxite mining and beneficiation operations at Paragominas, the bauxite pipeline, and alumina refining operations at Alunorte. He is the chairperson of the board of directors of the Paragominas bauxite mine and of the Alunorte Technical Committee.
Raphael has 40 years of experience in the aluminum industry, working in various technical and managerial positions with Alcoa and Hydro in Brazil, the US, Spain and Australia. He also has four years of experience in the steel mini-mill industry in the US, working for the steelmaking company Gerdau. He has a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in Brazil and a Master’s in Business Administration degree from the University of Houston-Victoria in the US.
Dr Sreeraj Balachandran, Manager Climate Change, Rio Tinto Aluminium
Update on Rio Tinto’s Yarwun hydrogen calciner project
3:50pm, Tuesday 14 October
Sangho Yi’s research focuses on innovative ironmaking pathways, with an emphasis on green steel technology to address climate change. He led the development of FINEX® in POSCO, which was successfully commercialised following a pilot development process that began with basic research. He currently serves as the chair of the Korean Government’s research project planning committee for industrial materials and is engaged in the development of a hydrogen-reduced steel process (HyREX®), innovative CO2 reduction technologies for the blast furnace route, and the development of Carbon Capture and Utilisation technology using FINEX® off-gas.
Since January 2024, he has served as a professor at Pohang University of Science and Technology’s Graduate Institute of Ferrous and Eco Materials Technology (POSTECH GIFT), and as director of the Research Center for Hydrogen Steelmaking Technology (HySRI). In addition, Prof. Yi is participating in a national demonstration project that aims to reduce CO2 emissions by injecting heated hydrogen into a blast furnace.
Ron Knapp, Special Advisor to the Chair of China Hongqiao Group
China Hongqiao Group: From a black past to a green future – sustainability in action
4:05pm, Tuesday 14 October
Ron Knapp joined China Hongqiao Group in January 2020, following 11 years as Secretary General of the International Aluminium Institute (London). Previous roles include Executive Director of the Australian Aluminium Council (2002 to 2008), Chief Executive of the World Coal Institute London (1997 to 2001), and senior positions with the Minerals Council of Australia (1987 to 1996). Prior to these appointments, Ron was an economist with the Australian Government (1976 to 1987). Ron is an Australian with a small beef cattle farm in Australia.
China Hongqiao Group is one of the largest fully integrated aluminum companies in the world with extensive activities along the whole production chain, based on major direct investments and long-term strategic partnerships. Production is dominated by operations in China, combined with key resource developments in Indonesia and Guinea.
China Hongqiao attaches great importance to environmental protection, energy conservation and sustainable development, with clean green production and higher-value products as core business goals. China Hongqiao seeks to continuously improve the full industrial chain by building unique aluminum industry clusters. Central to the industrial cluster philosophy is the development of surrounding enterprises and the cities in which the plants are located.
Jessica Shaw, The Superpower Institute and Tactica Advisory
Panel discussion – Making green metals in Australia a reality
3:00pm, Wednesday 15 October
Jessica Shaw is the WA Program Director for The Superpower Institute and a Director of Tactica Advisory, advising on energy transition, infrastructure and industrial decarbonisation.
At The Superpower Institute, Jessica leads efforts to position Australia as a global exporter of green energy and industrial products, with a focus on regulatory frameworks, market incentives and enabling infrastructure. Through Tactica, she supports companies navigating complex commercial, policy and project delivery challenges.
Jessica served in the WA Parliament from 2017 to 2025, including as Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier. She was responsible for projects spanning energy transition, hydrogen, infrastructure, domestic gas, trade and economic diversification.
Before entering parliament, Jessica was a senior executive in the energy sector for over a decade, and previously worked in foreign affairs and trade in both the Australian Senate and British High Commission.
She holds degrees in law and politics, a Master of Law from Cambridge and executive training from Harvard. She is an Honorary Life Member of the Australian Institute of Energy.
Andrew Hamilton, Technical Director, Fortescue
Industry needs, priorities and perspectives
9:15am, Wednesday 15 October
Andrew Hamilton leads Fortescues’ Metals Technology Development team and is responsible for managing and delivering:
- Green iron solutions applicable for Fortescue ores
- Innovative solutions to upgrade low-grade Fe ores
- Technical and management oversight of critical minerals projects.
Andrew joined Fortescue in 2008 to complete delivery of Fortescue’s first operational site, Cloudbreak, and was responsible for the innovative and patented Iron Bridge Magnetite facility, flowsheet and design – the first magnetite concentrate delivered, on specification, to the port stockyards in 2023.
Andrew started his career in vertically integrated steelmaking, including mine operations, steel production and the operation of rolling mills, to deliver final steel products. He has spent significant time in senior management and directorship roles, providing expertise in engineering, construction, commissioning and business delivery services to mining, building infrastructure, fleet management and electronics industries.
Holding a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of South Australia, Andrew is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM).
Julia Pickworth, Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Future Made in Australia – the green metals opportunity
2:15pm, Thursday 16 October
Julia Pickworth is Deputy Secretary of the Industry and Commercialisation Group, Department of Industry, Science and Resources. Prior to this role, she was First Assistant Secretary at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. She brings experience from across several Australian Government departments, including Prime Minister and Cabinet, Regional Australia, Human Services, and Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Her roles have spanned research, programs, policy, governance, Cabinet, and ministerial and parliamentary support.
Julia is a leader known for bringing policy, program and stakeholder expertise together to lead complex work in a collaborative way. She has demonstrated this across Australian Government infrastructure investments, in regional policy and programs, and working with relevant states and territories.
Julia holds a Bachelor of Economics (Social Sciences) from the University of Sydney and a Masters in Environmental Science (Human Geography) from the Australian National University.
