WEBVTT NOTE This file was generated by Descript 00:00:01.740 --> 00:00:04.540 A key component of the modern world economy, the chemical 00:00:04.540 --> 00:00:07.990 industry delivers products and innovations to enhance everyday life. 00:00:08.605 --> 00:00:12.594 It is also an industry in transformation where chemical executives and 00:00:12.594 --> 00:00:16.215 workers are delivering growth and industry changing advancements while 00:00:16.215 --> 00:00:19.974 responding to pressures from investors, regulators, and public opinion. 00:00:20.515 --> 00:00:23.445 Discover how leading companies are approaching these challenges 00:00:23.455 --> 00:00:25.064 here on the chemical show. 00:00:25.524 --> 00:00:28.875 Join Victoria Meyer, president of Progressio Global and 00:00:28.885 --> 00:00:30.305 host of the chemical show. 00:00:30.575 --> 00:00:34.775 As she speaks with executives across the industry and learns how they are leading 00:00:34.775 --> 00:00:40.374 their companies to grow, transform, and push industry boundaries on all frontiers. 00:00:40.695 --> 00:00:42.944 Here's your host, Victoria Meyer. 00:00:45.879 --> 00:00:47.409 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Hi, this is Victoria Meyer. 00:00:47.539 --> 00:00:51.388 Welcome back to the chemical show where chemicals means business. 00:00:51.888 --> 00:00:55.548 Today, I am speaking with Alina Green from the WICA group. 00:00:55.819 --> 00:01:00.438 She's a market segment specialist, and she helps clients and companies across 00:01:00.438 --> 00:01:04.958 the industry optimize their processes and implement strategies to achieve their 00:01:04.958 --> 00:01:07.279 business plans and doing it in a way. 00:01:07.279 --> 00:01:11.289 And in fact, this is an interesting angle from what we often talk about bringing in. 00:01:11.959 --> 00:01:18.219 Automation instrumentation, and really tying it into the core operations of 00:01:18.249 --> 00:01:20.169 chemical companies and energy companies. 00:01:20.169 --> 00:01:22.778 So that's a little bit of what we're going to be talking about today. 00:01:23.249 --> 00:01:26.009 Really hope you enjoyed this conversation, Alina. 00:01:26.009 --> 00:01:27.029 Welcome to the chemical show. 00:01:27.792 --> 00:01:28.332 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Thank you. 00:01:28.362 --> 00:01:29.252 Thank you, Victoria. 00:01:29.252 --> 00:01:31.832 I'm a big fan of your show, so I'm really excited to be here. 00:01:32.008 --> 00:01:32.798 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Thank you. 00:01:32.829 --> 00:01:33.699 Glad to hear that. 00:01:34.038 --> 00:01:36.658 Well, let's just start with your origin story. 00:01:37.209 --> 00:01:41.268 What, how did you get interested in engineering and then 00:01:41.338 --> 00:01:44.758 instrumentation and valves and ultimately energy and chemicals? 00:01:44.808 --> 00:01:49.278 You've had quite a lot of experience and, and really technical in 00:01:49.388 --> 00:01:51.018 market related experience. 00:01:52.081 --> 00:01:54.631 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: I think with that, I'll have to start, 00:01:54.821 --> 00:01:57.631 uh, earlier in, uh, in, in my life. 00:01:57.721 --> 00:02:02.541 I grew up in, uh, in Romania in post communist Romania. 00:02:02.941 --> 00:02:04.981 And that's, uh, that's where I went to school. 00:02:05.771 --> 00:02:11.481 I, grew up in, uh, as an only child, uh, in, uh, uh, a family where 00:02:11.481 --> 00:02:15.851 both my parents were agricultural engineers, we had a little bit of land. 00:02:16.286 --> 00:02:21.156 And, uh, and, uh, I spend most of my summers, helping out at the farm 00:02:21.166 --> 00:02:24.446 because we used to go to a farmer's market quite a bit, and you're going to 00:02:24.456 --> 00:02:28.376 ask, why is this relevant to, to what we're talking about, but, uh, I'm, I'm 00:02:28.586 --> 00:02:32.616 getting there, so that kind of helped me, you know, it did two things for me. 00:02:32.736 --> 00:02:37.186 Uh, one, uh, I was actually pretty good when, uh, during COVID when 00:02:37.196 --> 00:02:42.047 everybody was, uh, starting their own, vegetable gardens, I actually got 00:02:42.047 --> 00:02:44.636 the envy of my friends and neighbors. 00:02:44.636 --> 00:02:49.196 I was pretty good at that, but also kind of helped me be comfortable with, 00:02:49.286 --> 00:02:53.686 uh, with tough environments, you know, working outside and, and, and just be 00:02:53.686 --> 00:02:55.766 able to, to do things with my hands. 00:02:56.106 --> 00:02:59.296 My, my parents also put a big focus on schooling. 00:02:59.346 --> 00:03:01.456 So, so schooling was, was important. 00:03:01.926 --> 00:03:04.986 Uh, there was absolutely no way I wasn't going to go to college. 00:03:05.716 --> 00:03:09.576 But kind of going to the, the second thing that did, uh, that, that did for 00:03:09.586 --> 00:03:14.226 me when, um, after I graduated from, from chemical engineering, um, I got 00:03:14.226 --> 00:03:18.447 an opportunity with Schlumberger, to work in a field, to work on oil rigs. 00:03:19.022 --> 00:03:24.112 Which is one of those things that you think about, Oh, it's kind of cool. 00:03:24.112 --> 00:03:27.972 But when you're there, it's cold and it's wet and you're outside 00:03:27.982 --> 00:03:30.152 for 12 hour shifts and, and 00:03:30.244 --> 00:03:32.334 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: you're kind of a little bit isolated. 00:03:32.354 --> 00:03:33.197 Yeah. 00:03:33.502 --> 00:03:33.882 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Yep. 00:03:34.152 --> 00:03:36.962 That wasn't a challenge that I was afraid of. 00:03:37.002 --> 00:03:37.212 Right. 00:03:37.242 --> 00:03:38.242 I thought I could do it. 00:03:38.597 --> 00:03:42.657 And, uh, you know, it provided me with the opportunity to travel and meet 00:03:42.657 --> 00:03:44.847 people from, from all over the world. 00:03:44.927 --> 00:03:51.757 And that kind of, uh, for me in a way of being able to take challenges, um, 00:03:51.757 --> 00:03:56.317 you know, you had in your show, a few weeks ago, you had the BASF, 00:03:56.317 --> 00:04:00.237 uh, um, uh, CEO in, in your show. 00:04:00.597 --> 00:04:04.407 And he said something that it, it stuck with me and I really liked that. 00:04:04.407 --> 00:04:08.257 And I think that's what I, I apply in my career. 00:04:08.752 --> 00:04:13.492 Um, always take a job that, that you're able to grow into. 00:04:14.362 --> 00:04:18.102 And I've, I've done that with every role that I've, that I've 00:04:18.142 --> 00:04:19.382 taken throughout my career. 00:04:20.352 --> 00:04:23.652 so worked in the field for a couple of years, then moved to Houston. 00:04:24.047 --> 00:04:29.127 Uh, worked in the lab, I, uh, was the lab manager, I did some project management 00:04:29.137 --> 00:04:34.287 before, before moving to, to WICA in, uh, in the instrumentation manufacturing work. 00:04:34.917 --> 00:04:39.727 So everything was, was, uh, kind of a, hey, there's a new challenge. 00:04:39.837 --> 00:04:40.677 Can I do it? 00:04:40.727 --> 00:04:41.057 Hmm. 00:04:41.157 --> 00:04:41.827 I'm not sure. 00:04:41.917 --> 00:04:42.447 Let's try. 00:04:43.077 --> 00:04:43.197 I 00:04:43.697 --> 00:04:44.147 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: love that. 00:04:44.339 --> 00:04:45.219 And I think that's right. 00:04:45.219 --> 00:04:47.739 And, um, by the way, I grew up on a farm myself. 00:04:47.809 --> 00:04:56.159 So, um, I understand how that ties into, you know, not being afraid of hard work. 00:04:56.449 --> 00:04:59.789 It, Kind of gives you this whole mechanical sense, which ties 00:04:59.789 --> 00:05:01.859 very well into engineering. 00:05:01.899 --> 00:05:03.989 And then there's a whole lot to be said with seeing the 00:05:03.989 --> 00:05:05.619 fruits of your labors, right? 00:05:05.619 --> 00:05:10.199 Which also, um, I think links very well to engineering and to what you do today. 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:12.089 So, um, that's really cool. 00:05:12.969 --> 00:05:15.869 When did you move from Romania to the U S 00:05:17.027 --> 00:05:21.697 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Um, 2012, um, yeah, so it was an intercompany 00:05:21.697 --> 00:05:23.937 transfer, here in, in Houston. 00:05:24.049 --> 00:05:24.449 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: awesome. 00:05:24.549 --> 00:05:25.119 That's really cool. 00:05:25.549 --> 00:05:29.239 So tell us a little bit about, uh, the WICA group. 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:31.449 People may not be fully familiar. 00:05:32.349 --> 00:05:36.709 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: So WICA has been in business for over 75 years. 00:05:36.969 --> 00:05:42.089 Uh, it's still a family owned company, a third generation. 00:05:42.089 --> 00:05:46.129 The current owners, his, uh, his grandfather started, uh, the, 00:05:46.129 --> 00:05:49.249 um, company, as a gauge company. 00:05:49.299 --> 00:05:53.179 So he was, uh, he put together a company that they were very 00:05:53.179 --> 00:05:57.299 good at, selecting different materials and welding techniques. 00:05:57.629 --> 00:05:59.119 Um, so that's kind of how. 00:05:59.554 --> 00:06:02.674 Um, how the company grew, it's a German company. 00:06:02.864 --> 00:06:07.674 It was founded in the West of Germany, where, uh, where that, that after World 00:06:07.674 --> 00:06:12.204 War II, that, offered a, a prosper environment for, for growing a business. 00:06:12.954 --> 00:06:18.854 The company was handed over to the original owner's son, which, uh, actually 00:06:18.864 --> 00:06:22.274 lost his life in a tragic accident. 00:06:22.444 --> 00:06:25.704 I don't know that the exact details to, to share, but he was, he 00:06:25.704 --> 00:06:27.304 was shot by one of his friends. 00:06:27.834 --> 00:06:33.914 And his wife, uh, was, uh, was left with the business in an environment where, like 00:06:33.914 --> 00:06:37.184 you and I were male dominated environment. 00:06:37.644 --> 00:06:45.554 And she absolutely, um, exploded growing the business, internationally, um, and, 00:06:45.554 --> 00:06:51.304 uh, and open, uh, several subsidiaries, Wyca still has, uh, and she was also 00:06:51.304 --> 00:06:54.554 very focused on, employees well being. 00:06:54.614 --> 00:07:01.634 She started a scholarship and Wyca still has a, um, uh, Ursula vegan scholarship. 00:07:01.989 --> 00:07:07.579 Fund that, that, the employees can tap into for their, their dependents. 00:07:07.886 --> 00:07:08.446 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: That's nice. 00:07:08.446 --> 00:07:08.775 That's nice. 00:07:08.776 --> 00:07:09.116 So. 00:07:09.556 --> 00:07:14.806 So I know a big part of your role, um, at Weika is identifying market trends 00:07:14.806 --> 00:07:20.416 and opportunities, and helping connect what Weika can do with what customers 00:07:20.416 --> 00:07:23.096 can do and, and driving direction there. 00:07:23.656 --> 00:07:27.166 What are the key industry trends influencing your business 00:07:27.166 --> 00:07:28.366 and your customers today? 00:07:29.466 --> 00:07:32.346 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: My main focus is on the downstream market. 00:07:32.396 --> 00:07:37.406 Um, there are several, of my colleagues that focus on, uh, on other markets, 00:07:37.816 --> 00:07:42.636 uh, the way that WICA has been, been funded, as an instrumentation company. 00:07:42.956 --> 00:07:46.906 We have some traditional markets that we know we're strong in, uh, we're strong 00:07:46.936 --> 00:07:52.496 in, in industrial gases, instrumentation for industrial gases, power generation. 00:07:52.926 --> 00:07:58.196 Um, downstream market or upstream oil and gas, things like water wastewater. 00:07:58.526 --> 00:08:04.546 So we know what markets we can serve, and we stay close to, to our 00:08:04.546 --> 00:08:06.536 customers and, and, and partners. 00:08:07.046 --> 00:08:13.196 So that, basically helps us as a company know which products that, 00:08:13.236 --> 00:08:17.076 that we should be developing, which products we should be focusing on. 00:08:17.326 --> 00:08:20.916 What are some of the gaps in our portfolio that we should be probably investing 00:08:20.916 --> 00:08:23.986 some, some, the R and D, in a nutshell. 00:08:24.301 --> 00:08:30.041 We know what we're good at and we try to stay there and grow in those fields. 00:08:30.183 --> 00:08:31.613 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Yeah, that makes sense. 00:08:31.843 --> 00:08:36.873 And, and certainly I think you guys must be tied very closely really with 00:08:36.873 --> 00:08:41.613 this whole trend around digitization, digital transformation, certainly 00:08:41.613 --> 00:08:45.963 of manufacturing and operations, the industrial internet of things. 00:08:46.513 --> 00:08:47.823 Can you talk about that at all? 00:08:48.773 --> 00:08:50.673 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: It kind of ties in with what, what 00:08:50.673 --> 00:08:52.523 I was, previously, uh, discussing. 00:08:52.523 --> 00:08:56.013 So we have the traditional markets, but then from those markets, you know, 00:08:56.033 --> 00:08:57.872 if you know your downstream markets. 00:08:58.253 --> 00:09:04.013 You know that there's trends that there's, there's focuses on, on decarbonization, 00:09:04.323 --> 00:09:08.863 from a perspective of carbon capture from hydrogen, you know, what are some 00:09:08.863 --> 00:09:14.093 of those applications that we could be supporting as a, as a manufacturer? 00:09:14.093 --> 00:09:18.743 What are some of the challenges that, um, that we can help overcome? 00:09:19.583 --> 00:09:22.973 And that's kind of where, where, where we're going with our strategy when 00:09:22.973 --> 00:09:25.753 it comes to, um, to the new trends. 00:09:26.265 --> 00:09:26.575 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Okay. 00:09:26.695 --> 00:09:30.425 So continuing to kind of expand and go deeper, with these 00:09:30.425 --> 00:09:31.785 markets and opportunities. 00:09:32.698 --> 00:09:33.368 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Exactly. 00:09:33.508 --> 00:09:34.158 Exactly. 00:09:34.700 --> 00:09:36.705 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: you talk about any examples? 00:09:36.755 --> 00:09:40.325 I mean, I know you work closely with your business partners and your customers. 00:09:40.625 --> 00:09:44.455 Do you have an example where you've really been able to help, um, create 00:09:44.455 --> 00:09:48.445 a transformation with the company as it relates to being able to 00:09:48.585 --> 00:09:52.604 respond to some of these trends like digitization and decarbonization? 00:09:53.958 --> 00:09:57.288 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Um, yeah, actually I did a, a, um, uh, 00:09:57.338 --> 00:10:01.158 paper, a joint paper with Chevron with, the Pascagoula refinery 00:10:01.688 --> 00:10:06.608 on, uh, a solution that they've implemented in, in their, amine unit. 00:10:06.973 --> 00:10:12.233 So, uh, basically what they were looking for was to optimize their unit. 00:10:12.453 --> 00:10:18.613 The way that, um, amine units work in a, in a refinery, they're utilized to 00:10:18.853 --> 00:10:25.553 clean acid gases, to capture CO2, capture H2S from, uh, from the off gases. 00:10:26.013 --> 00:10:28.803 So it's not really one of those units that produce. 00:10:30.388 --> 00:10:31.638 for the refinery. 00:10:31.715 --> 00:10:34.465 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: But it, but it keeps the refinery operating. 00:10:35.208 --> 00:10:38.188 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: exactly, but, but because it doesn't, 00:10:38.198 --> 00:10:43.468 it's not linked directly to a revenue, they tend to be kind of put to the 00:10:43.468 --> 00:10:46.298 side, um, when it comes to investments. 00:10:46.923 --> 00:10:51.433 Um, we did work so, so the way that, that this started, uh, we had a young 00:10:51.433 --> 00:10:57.283 engineer, younger engineer that, um, was interested in, , doing an energy 00:10:57.283 --> 00:11:00.213 efficiency project on, uh, on this unit. 00:11:00.723 --> 00:11:06.523 Um, so the, the way this unit, uh, operates, the amine circulates and, 00:11:06.523 --> 00:11:11.473 and picks up the, the gases, and then it's being regenerated in a separate 00:11:11.473 --> 00:11:13.533 unit that, that regenerator uses. 00:11:13.803 --> 00:11:18.793 steam to clean up the gases and then it keeps circulating the amine. 00:11:19.053 --> 00:11:23.073 So, you know, long story short, not to go too deep into the process, they 00:11:23.073 --> 00:11:28.473 were able to optimize the way that the amine was, was circulated by having. 00:11:28.793 --> 00:11:31.773 More, temperature visibility in, in the unit. 00:11:31.993 --> 00:11:35.343 Uh, this is a exothermic reaction, so it generates heat. 00:11:35.813 --> 00:11:40.173 They can see exactly where that that's taking place and they can use 00:11:40.173 --> 00:11:45.643 that data to, to optimize how the unit unit operates, and can really. 00:11:46.033 --> 00:11:51.443 Um, have some significant cost savings by not utilizing as much 00:11:51.663 --> 00:11:53.743 steam into, into the process. 00:11:54.053 --> 00:11:58.113 So just an example of a low hanging fruit type of project 00:11:58.433 --> 00:12:03.793 where, you know, the investment is minimum, below, you know, 50K. 00:12:04.333 --> 00:12:08.503 Long term, it could produce significant, um, savings for the 00:12:08.503 --> 00:12:10.803 plant and less carbon emissions. 00:12:10.803 --> 00:12:12.353 You're generating less steam. 00:12:12.418 --> 00:12:16.098 Um, you're not utilizing your boilers. 00:12:16.098 --> 00:12:20.418 You're not putting CO2 into, into the environment as, as much. 00:12:20.468 --> 00:12:25.748 I love this one because it's so easy, so simple, so elegant, and it could 00:12:25.758 --> 00:12:28.188 be applied in, in other situations, 00:12:28.418 --> 00:12:32.988 just being able to see how your unit operates and, and, uh, use 00:12:32.988 --> 00:12:34.838 that to optimize it basically. 00:12:34.960 --> 00:12:35.290 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Yeah. 00:12:35.330 --> 00:12:36.070 I think it's great. 00:12:36.070 --> 00:12:39.740 And I think, it becomes a cost savings, energy savings, and as you point 00:12:39.750 --> 00:12:44.720 out, really a sustainability story being able to optimize around that. 00:12:45.330 --> 00:12:50.160 What do you find is the key differentiator when you are working, um, with customers 00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:52.040 and, and finding these solutions? 00:12:53.055 --> 00:12:56.985 What really differentiates it, what helps you figure out how to tailor these 00:12:56.985 --> 00:13:02.355 solutions and identify really projects, and solutions that have, what sounds 00:13:02.355 --> 00:13:04.235 like a pretty high return on investment 00:13:05.198 --> 00:13:07.798 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Well, I think it's a, it's important to really 00:13:07.798 --> 00:13:10.108 know your applications in your market. 00:13:10.138 --> 00:13:15.158 It's important to understand where are the areas that could be improved. 00:13:15.518 --> 00:13:18.828 , I think big CapEx projects will be there and they're great. 00:13:18.888 --> 00:13:19.238 There's. 00:13:20.013 --> 00:13:22.113 Big investments and they make the news. 00:13:22.153 --> 00:13:24.423 These, these little projects won't make the news. 00:13:24.873 --> 00:13:29.993 But really understanding how you can optimize your process and what are 00:13:29.993 --> 00:13:33.133 some of the tools that are available that are available right now, we're 00:13:33.133 --> 00:13:35.283 not needing to develop new materials. 00:13:35.323 --> 00:13:38.103 We're not needing to, create new technology. 00:13:38.433 --> 00:13:40.393 Um, you know, what can we do? 00:13:40.448 --> 00:13:47.038 From, from, uh, a vendor operator, relationship to optimize the process. 00:13:47.068 --> 00:13:51.418 And for me personally, I attend so many conferences throughout the year 00:13:51.418 --> 00:13:55.588 because I really want to understand, what are some of the challenges and 00:13:55.588 --> 00:13:58.048 really understand the process very well. 00:13:58.645 --> 00:13:59.135 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: makes sense. 00:13:59.355 --> 00:14:02.785 Well, and I think, you know, and maybe you've already touched on this, but I 00:14:02.805 --> 00:14:06.705 think these ideas of, um, identifying the challenges and incorporating some of 00:14:06.725 --> 00:14:12.695 the tools, To optimize the operations to help digitize the operational interface 00:14:12.695 --> 00:14:17.545 is so critical, yet it often seems the companies that are the most able to 00:14:17.545 --> 00:14:19.595 engage are the biggest companies, right? 00:14:19.595 --> 00:14:21.945 With the, with the deepest pockets, right? 00:14:21.955 --> 00:14:27.525 So Chevron is a great example, but it sounds like, um, That these solutions 00:14:27.525 --> 00:14:31.395 are actually in, in touch for a lot of companies of various sizes. 00:14:31.395 --> 00:14:35.265 Cause of course we know that, you know, something like 80 percent of the 00:14:35.265 --> 00:14:39.915 chemical industry is a really small to midsize companies with smaller 00:14:39.915 --> 00:14:41.825 operations, and smaller budgets. 00:14:41.825 --> 00:14:45.785 So, you know, I guess the question for me is how do these companies, 00:14:45.815 --> 00:14:50.275 utilize or access solutions such as what you're talking about with WICA? 00:14:51.603 --> 00:14:54.033 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Yeah, I think that's even easier for smaller 00:14:54.033 --> 00:14:58.293 companies because it's such a small budget, um, that, that, that they would 00:14:58.303 --> 00:15:01.063 have to, allocate towards this project. 00:15:01.063 --> 00:15:08.583 It's, it's more difficult to, to get a big CapEx project run or passed through, the 00:15:08.583 --> 00:15:10.643 different levels of approval than it is. 00:15:11.178 --> 00:15:14.228 Um, hey, you know, I'm, I'm having this, this project. 00:15:14.228 --> 00:15:18.718 This is, this is what it's going to do for, for my operation. 00:15:18.978 --> 00:15:20.578 And this is the ROI. 00:15:20.948 --> 00:15:23.868 And I think having, being able to have that conversation, 00:15:24.268 --> 00:15:26.308 um, at a one on one level. 00:15:26.368 --> 00:15:32.748 If it's the process engineer reliability or whoever's concerned in improving, 00:15:32.978 --> 00:15:34.528 I think that that makes a big 00:15:34.915 --> 00:15:35.295 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Yeah. 00:15:35.755 --> 00:15:38.475 Well, and I think sometimes they don't even necessarily see the big picture. 00:15:38.475 --> 00:15:46.795 So I think sometimes, uh, you know, engineers in the plant, plant managers, et 00:15:46.795 --> 00:15:49.755 cetera, are working to solve one problem. 00:15:50.155 --> 00:15:54.975 Um, and then they see the opportunity elsewhere, um, and a bigger picture 00:15:54.975 --> 00:15:57.555 way, like, you know, let me solve my energy problem, but, oh, by 00:15:57.555 --> 00:16:01.185 the way, it also helps solve a carbon issue, or decarbonize. 00:16:01.185 --> 00:16:02.045 Do you see that as well? 00:16:02.045 --> 00:16:05.485 You see this, opportunities start in one point, but they actually, 00:16:05.495 --> 00:16:08.525 you can help solve Customers paint the bigger picture for that. 00:16:09.568 --> 00:16:09.908 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Yeah. 00:16:09.968 --> 00:16:10.818 Yeah, absolutely. 00:16:10.818 --> 00:16:14.168 And, and the, just like I mentioned before, I think it's a matter 00:16:14.178 --> 00:16:17.968 of having that relationship and that open communication, these 00:16:17.988 --> 00:16:19.538 projects don't happen overnight. 00:16:19.708 --> 00:16:23.058 There's discussions, there's ideas that get passed around. 00:16:23.548 --> 00:16:24.518 And that's how. 00:16:24.998 --> 00:16:26.408 These kind of projects can, 00:16:26.438 --> 00:16:28.288 can, uh, can, can be born. 00:16:28.535 --> 00:16:29.575 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: yeah, absolutely. 00:16:29.575 --> 00:16:32.445 So it's kind of that whole close customer relationship and 00:16:32.465 --> 00:16:34.065 understanding your customer's needs. 00:16:34.868 --> 00:16:35.448 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Exactly. 00:16:35.825 --> 00:16:36.145 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Awesome. 00:16:36.555 --> 00:16:41.995 Um, what role do you see, sustainability playing is that, is that a big 00:16:42.025 --> 00:16:47.065 driver of requests, and opportunities that you see with your customers 00:16:47.065 --> 00:16:51.615 today and in markets, do you see that as a growing area of focus? 00:16:53.718 --> 00:16:54.268 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Yes. 00:16:54.488 --> 00:17:01.588 I think we're paying more attention to, to, to not just as a buzzword, but 00:17:01.598 --> 00:17:05.918 we're paying more attention to some of the projects that we could be. 00:17:06.418 --> 00:17:12.408 Engaging in that have those those, um, sustainability effects. 00:17:12.698 --> 00:17:18.948 If it's, um, you know, a product that lasts longer, or if it's a 00:17:18.948 --> 00:17:24.558 project that will turn into will turn some some decarbonization benefits. 00:17:24.908 --> 00:17:27.018 Um, I think this discussion is. 00:17:27.298 --> 00:17:30.198 It's gaining more interest in, into the industry. 00:17:30.665 --> 00:17:31.245 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Absolutely. 00:17:31.655 --> 00:17:34.545 So let's talk a little bit about, um, leadership. 00:17:34.545 --> 00:17:38.325 So you've, you've worked across many countries, right? 00:17:38.325 --> 00:17:40.795 So if I think about, you know, and countries and cultures, right. 00:17:40.795 --> 00:17:47.955 Romania here to the U S, drilling rigs to chemical plants, what 00:17:47.955 --> 00:17:50.395 stands out to you in terms of. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:53.510 Effective leadership or even just leadership differences. 00:17:53.550 --> 00:17:57.500 Anything that, that you see that you'd say, yeah, that's really the 00:17:57.500 --> 00:18:01.990 difference maker when I cut across industries and companies and countries. 00:18:03.318 --> 00:18:05.148 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Um, I love that question. 00:18:05.658 --> 00:18:10.848 I think regardless of what the role that I've had, I've tried to. 00:18:11.303 --> 00:18:16.043 implement leadership techniques if it was working on a, on a rig, you know, just, 00:18:16.053 --> 00:18:22.713 just taking, taking the steps to, be self sufficient and know where, which resources 00:18:22.713 --> 00:18:25.373 I can, can tap into working in the lab. 00:18:26.653 --> 00:18:31.663 Knowing which projects can improve the work practices that we're 00:18:31.673 --> 00:18:36.243 having, and that's kind of how the opportunities came to me as well. 00:18:36.913 --> 00:18:43.053 Um, I think we all need to implement leadership in our day to day life. 00:18:43.053 --> 00:18:44.333 And that's what. 00:18:44.878 --> 00:18:52.648 Um, creates more opportunities for us in our career and our day to, to day life. 00:18:52.658 --> 00:18:54.188 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: So one of the things we talked 00:18:54.188 --> 00:18:57.368 about before we hit the record button was just about being, um. 00:18:57.368 --> 00:18:57.428 Yeah. 00:18:57.578 --> 00:19:03.408 You know, the, being a woman in a very technical business environment, when 00:19:03.408 --> 00:19:07.668 I think about what WICA is doing with its instrumentation, your customers, 00:19:07.688 --> 00:19:13.908 particularly going into, well, heck oil rigs, but then also, um, operating plants. 00:19:14.828 --> 00:19:19.118 What have been the challenges that you see or challenges or opportunities 00:19:19.118 --> 00:19:24.158 or experiences maybe about being a woman in a very technical market? 00:19:25.156 --> 00:19:28.216 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: So, as I mentioned, I think before you hit the 00:19:28.216 --> 00:19:33.586 record button, um, I've been on an oil rig where I was the only woman and, um, 00:19:33.826 --> 00:19:38.956 You sometimes, depending on the culture, I think you can be a torn in somebody's 00:19:38.996 --> 00:19:43.526 back because they have to give you separate accommodation and, and all that. 00:19:43.546 --> 00:19:45.516 But I think it's, it's. 00:19:46.116 --> 00:19:50.176 What you bring to the table, you know, it's, and most of the time 00:19:50.846 --> 00:19:52.296 you can forget you're a woman. 00:19:52.486 --> 00:19:53.046 You're a woman. 00:19:53.086 --> 00:19:58.276 You're, you're gonna bring certain things to, to, to the table and, and 00:19:58.286 --> 00:20:03.366 being authentic and being able to, to bring your whole self to work. 00:20:03.811 --> 00:20:06.151 With your strengths and, and weaknesses. 00:20:06.501 --> 00:20:10.101 Um, I think it's very important regardless of, of the, the, 00:20:10.101 --> 00:20:11.451 the job that, that you do. 00:20:11.861 --> 00:20:18.951 And I've had many opportunities to stand up there and the first impression that 00:20:18.951 --> 00:20:21.231 I get is, oh, what is she gonna say? 00:20:21.611 --> 00:20:23.831 But then you know what you're talking about. 00:20:23.831 --> 00:20:28.441 And I immediately gain the respect and that's kind of what did it, did it for me. 00:20:29.411 --> 00:20:34.161 Moving towards to, to my life being young is, is, is okay, but then 00:20:34.161 --> 00:20:38.431 moving towards your life and having children and having a family and all 00:20:38.431 --> 00:20:42.581 that can, can come with, with the additional set of set of challenges, 00:20:43.201 --> 00:20:45.601 but I've kept things separated. 00:20:45.801 --> 00:20:48.191 It's important to be successful in your career. 00:20:48.281 --> 00:20:52.341 I think that the CEO of PepsiCo, she says, you cannot have it all. 00:20:52.596 --> 00:20:58.256 It's, it's, it's impossible to have it all, but you can have things that you 00:20:58.256 --> 00:21:00.386 want at different stages of your life. 00:21:00.476 --> 00:21:04.606 And you're going to give 110 percent in your work sometimes, and you're 00:21:04.606 --> 00:21:05.806 going to need some help at home. 00:21:06.126 --> 00:21:10.776 And sometimes you need to put that 110 percent at home and, take a 00:21:10.886 --> 00:21:13.296 little bit of a break at, at work. 00:21:13.516 --> 00:21:17.376 And that's very important, um, uh, regardless of, of, 00:21:17.596 --> 00:21:19.256 of, uh, you know, your gender. 00:21:19.393 --> 00:21:19.673 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Yeah. 00:21:19.683 --> 00:21:20.323 I agree with that. 00:21:20.323 --> 00:21:24.513 I think there's different phases that each of us fall in, um, at different 00:21:24.513 --> 00:21:29.073 times in our life and different times in our career that required different levels 00:21:29.073 --> 00:21:33.123 of flexibility, different levels of, you know, as you say, sometimes it's 110%. 00:21:33.483 --> 00:21:38.823 Sometimes, um, that 110 percent looks different because it's split, not just. 00:21:38.993 --> 00:21:42.353 Uh, at the office, but it's also split between office 00:21:42.353 --> 00:21:44.033 and home, um, and elsewhere. 00:21:44.033 --> 00:21:49.573 So that's, um, it's critical to know, um, I think that aspect of bringing 00:21:49.573 --> 00:21:52.743 your whole self to work, being authentic and just being clear at what 00:21:52.743 --> 00:21:54.333 your own priorities are is critical. 00:21:55.461 --> 00:21:55.731 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Absolutely. 00:21:56.043 --> 00:21:58.163 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: So what's next for you and for WICA? 00:21:58.163 --> 00:22:00.953 What should we be looking forward to over the coming year? 00:22:02.451 --> 00:22:03.761 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Well, I think we're all kind of 00:22:03.931 --> 00:22:05.821 waiting for the results of elections. 00:22:05.821 --> 00:22:11.311 We have a lot of projects that are on hold now, so we know what what our strategy is. 00:22:11.331 --> 00:22:14.621 We know what we we want to see moving forward. 00:22:14.621 --> 00:22:20.141 We know we're trying to, develop more products that are fitted to to the, 00:22:20.231 --> 00:22:26.316 uh, the The increase in digitalization trends, from a company perspective. 00:22:26.316 --> 00:22:30.846 So we're kind of waiting to see, uh, what happens from, from project 00:22:30.846 --> 00:22:35.576 perspectives, but we, we have our goals and, and we know where, where we want to 00:22:35.586 --> 00:22:37.286 be as a, as a company 00:22:37.453 --> 00:22:37.853 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Yeah. 00:22:37.873 --> 00:22:40.173 I think that's, uh, I think that's right. 00:22:40.173 --> 00:22:43.763 I think everyone's waiting over the next month to see the outcomes 00:22:43.763 --> 00:22:48.173 and, um, and then business will kind of accelerate again. 00:22:48.613 --> 00:22:50.893 Um, once we get through the election cycle. 00:22:51.526 --> 00:22:52.126 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: hopefully. 00:22:52.126 --> 00:22:52.406 Yeah. 00:22:52.523 --> 00:22:53.053 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Awesome. 00:22:53.153 --> 00:22:53.613 Well, great. 00:22:53.873 --> 00:22:56.533 Well, Alina, this has been great speaking with you today. 00:22:56.533 --> 00:22:58.383 I appreciate you joining me on the chemical show. 00:22:59.236 --> 00:23:00.186 alina-green-_1_10-17-2024_101043: Thank you so much. 00:23:00.286 --> 00:23:00.696 Thank you. 00:23:00.813 --> 00:23:01.113 victoria_1_10-17-2024_101044: Thank you. 00:23:01.193 --> 00:23:02.783 And thanks everyone for joining us today. 00:23:02.783 --> 00:23:05.443 Keep listening, keep following, keep sharing, and we will 00:23:05.443 --> 00:23:07.223 talk with you again soon.