World LP Gas Forum 2008 Promotes Low Carbon Lpg

The World LP Gas Association (WLPGA) held its World LP Gas Forum 2008, themed Clean Energy for a Low Carbon World, on September 24-26 in Seoul, Korea. Ian Noble, senior climate change specialist at the World Bank and a keynote speaker on the forum’s opening day, described climate change effects on the world and said that lp gas could be one of the solutions to help reverse the effects.

Panellists at a roundtable session, entitled Competing in a High-Price Environment, agreed that, in the short term, the lpg industry will do well, as it is in an ideal position to increase its market share and would probably consolidate and increase the efficiency of its operations, making the outlook very good if lp gas could actively reposition itself.

In tune with the climate change theme, panellist Masataka Uruma of Showa Shell explained that lpg’s customer base is made up of small retailers and that some would not survive, but retailers and consumers are looking at other ways to increase the market, such as solar combined with lp gas for heating.

Michael Kelly, market development director for the WLPGA, said: “In home heating, lp gas also helps consumers significantly reduce their carbon footprints.”

Rob Shuttleworth, chief executive of UKLPG, presented during the Towards Operational Excellence session on the potential for the lpg industry to take control of its own certification and lp gas training to ensure better quality and resources.

The World LP Gas Forum Exhibition featured nearly 50 exhibitors and Korea’s first lpg truck from Tata-Daewoo, which will be available from 2010, and the Global Technology Conference included nearly 50 speakers providing insights into cutting edge innovations that drive market growth in the lpg autogas, operations technology and applications innovation fields.

The WLPGA’s board also elected Sarthak Behuria, chairman of Indian Oil Corporation, as the association’s president and bestowed the Distinguished Service Award on Alan Beale, managing director of Elgas.

Contact the World LP Gas Association on +33 15 805 2800 www.worldlpgas.com

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