Robert Graham to be Recognized for Innovation and Leadership in Thermochemical Biomass Conversion at tcbiomass2024 Conference

GTI Energy announces that Dr. Robert Graham, the founder and Non-Executive Chairman of Ensyn Corporation, will be presented with the 2024 Don Klass Award for Excellence in Thermochemical Conversion Science at GTI Energy’s upcoming tcbiomass2024 conference on September 10-12, 2024, in Itasca, Illinois. The award was created as a tribute to the notable Dr. Donald L. Klass, former president and one of the original founders of the Biomass Energy Research Association.

Dr. Graham has earned this recognition for a long and distinguished career in bioenergy, which has helped break new ground in the development of renewable fuels and chemicals from biomass and waste. Dr. Graham has led Ensyn’s commercial and technical development since the company was established in 1984. In March 2020, he stepped down as CEO but continues to be actively engaged as an advisor to Ensyn's senior management team.

“Bob’s remarkable leadership and commercial successes in bioenergy have inspired and enriched a growing community of innovators in this space,” said Pedro Ortiz-Toral, Program Director of Bioenergy at GTI Energy. “His career embodies the excellence and dedication we search for in Don Klass awardees.”

“Bob Graham is one of the true pioneers in the bioeconomy. From the early days to now, Bob has been and is a constant source of inspiration and an exemplar of the best attributes of the word ‘professionalism’ in the biomass community,” says Robert Baldwin, National Renewable Energy Laboratory. “I can think of no one more deserving of the Don Klass award than Dr. Robert Graham.”

Dr. Graham is Canada’s preeminent authority in the production of value-added products via fast thermal conversion of carbon-based feedstocks. His early work led to development of Ensyn’s core RTP™ conversion technology and early commercial applications to produce specialty chemicals and heating fuels from wood residues.

Dr. Graham was awarded the 2014 Purvis Memorial Award by the Chemical Institute of Canada for conceptualizing and commercializing the RTP technology, and the 2016 Holmberg Award by the Advanced Bioeconomy Leadership Conference for Lifetime Achievement in Bioenergy.

He has published more than 60 works in technical and trade journals and has been granted more than 30 patents relating to the conversion of wood and other biomass to chemicals and fuels as well as the upgrading of petroleum. He obtained a B.Sc. from Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario and an M. Eng and Ph.D. from the University of Western Ontario, London.

About tcbiomass2024
tcbiomass2024 is a biennial International Conference on Thermochemical Biomass Conversion Science. In its eighth year, this event convenes hundreds of experts and visionaries in biomass and municipal solid waste conversion to explore advances in bioenergy from around the world.

Registration is open, with discounts for students, and the technical program is available. Contact conferences@gti.energy for more information, and follow the conference on X (@tcbiomass) and LinkedIn (@tcBiomass-conference) to find the latest event details, and use the hashtag #tcbiomass2024 for relevant social media posts.

About GTI Energy
GTI Energy is a leading technology development organization. Our trusted team works to scale impactful solutions that shape energy transitions by leveraging gases, liquids, infrastructure, and efficiency. We embrace systems thinking, innovation, and collaboration to develop, scale, and deploy the technologies needed for low-carbon, low-cost energy systems.