Dubrovnik, Croatia | 22–23 September 2026
The European downstream industry is entering one of its most demanding operating environments in decades. Geopolitical uncertainty, fragmented trade flows, tightening environmental regulation, volatile feedstock markets and persistent margin pressure are forcing refinery and petrochemical operators to rethink how they create value, not through large-scale expansion, but by extracting greater performance, flexibility and resilience from today’s assets.
Against this backdrop, IDW 2026 will return to Dubrovnik, Croatia, on 22–23 September, bringing together refiners, petrochemical producers, technology licensors, EPC contractors, digital innovators and equipment suppliers to examine how the industry can remain competitive while progressing toward lower-carbon operations.
Co-hosted by INA GRUPA, this year’s conference is built around the central theme:
Engineering the future of downstream
Rather than focusing solely on long-term transition ambitions, the programme concentrates on practical execution on helping downstream companies improve operational performance, increase production flexibility, enhance energy efficiency and make better investment decisions under uncertain market conditions.
The conference agenda has been developed directly from the conclusions of the IDW 2026 Advisory Board, which brought together senior executives from leading European downstream companies such as Lummus Technology, Axens, Honeywell UOP, INA Grupa, TotalEnergies, SOCAR Turkiye, SASA, Rafineria Gdanska, ENI, Neste, Bayern Oil, Biotrend Enerji, MOL Group, OMV, S&P Global and Concawe amongst others earlier this year.
Their discussions highlighted several common priorities across the industry:
- Strengthening resilience against geopolitical and supply chain disruptions;
- Improving feedstock flexibility and operational adaptability;
- Accelerating digitalisation and AI deployment where measurable value can be demonstrated;
- Prioritising energy efficiency and low-capex optimisation projects;
- Developing pragmatic decarbonisation pathways without compromising competitiveness.
Strategic leadership discussions
The conference opens with a keynote session examining how downstream leaders are responding to today’s rapidly changing market environment.
Senior executives from MOL Group, INA Group, Lummus Technology, and Concawe will discuss how global trade flows, regulation, logistics and investment priorities are reshaping European refining and petrochemicals.
The discussion will explore whether current market disruptions represent temporary shocks or a more permanent structural shift, and how operators can continue investing while maintaining profitability.
From strategy to execution
Beyond market outlooks, IDW 2026 focuses on technologies and operational strategies that are already delivering results across existing assets.
Technical sessions will examine:
- Refinery planning and investment optimisation
- Heat integration and energy efficiency improvements
- Hydrogen recovery and utilisation
- Refinery revamps and production flexibility
- Digitalisation, AI and advanced analytics
- Asset optimisation through proven technologies
- Petrochemical integration and circular feedstocks
- Catalyst innovation and molecule circularity
Speakers from organisations including Lummus Technology, Chevron Lummus Global, Technip Energies, Wood, H2SITE, SOCAR Türkiye, Octave, Integrated Global Services, Petroval, MOL Group and INA Grupa amongst others will present practical case studies demonstrating measurable operational improvements rather than theoretical concepts.
Digitalisation moves into the mainstream
One of the strongest themes emerging from the Advisory Board was the growing role of digitalisation in refinery operations.
Rather than discussing AI as a future concept, IDW 2026 will showcase how operators are already using digital twins, advanced analytics and AI-enabled decision support to reduce downtime, improve maintenance planning, optimise energy consumption and increase overall plant reliability.
The programme reflects an industry that is increasingly moving beyond isolated digital initiatives toward integrated operational ecosystems capable of supporting better business decisions.
A platform for industry dialogue
Recognising that some of the most valuable insights come from peer-to-peer discussion, IDW 2026 will introduce a series of Collective Intelligence Networking Round Tables. These interactive sessions will allow participants to join focused discussions aligned with their professional interests, encouraging open dialogue, the exchange of practical experiences, and collaborative problem-solving around today’s most pressing downstream challenges.Round table themes include:
- Energy Efficiency & Emissions – Where Are the Next 5% Gains—and Who’s Actually Delivering Them?
- Predictive Maintenance – Why Are We Still Firefighting—and How Do We Fix It?
- Investment Decisions – Approving Projects in Volatile Markets: What’s Your Playbook?
- Circular Feedstocks – Scaling Circular Feedstocks: What Works, What Doesn’t?
- Digital & Data – We’ve Invested in Data—So Why Aren’t We Seeing Results?
- Decarbonisation Pathways – Decarbonisation Without Disruption: What’s Truly Achievable?
Each discussion will focus on practical implementation rather than theory, enabling delegates to compare approaches, share lessons learned, and identify proven strategies that can be transferred directly into their own operations.
Practical solutions for a changing industry
As the downstream industry continues balancing competitiveness with decarbonisation, IDW 2026 aims to provide more than technology showcases.
The conference will focus on helping operators answer practical questions that increasingly define investment decisions:
- How can existing assets remain competitive for the next decade?
- Which technologies deliver the fastest operational return?
- How can refiners increase flexibility without major capital expenditure?
- Where are digital solutions already creating measurable value?
- How can decarbonisation be implemented without disrupting production or profitability?
More than a conference – Designed for meaningful business connections
IDW 2026 will once again take place in Dubrovnik at Dubrovnik Palace Hotel, overlooking the Adriatic Sea and providing an exceptional setting for both technical exchange and executive networking. Beyond the conference sessions, delegates will benefit from a dedicated exhibition showcasing leading technology providers, organiser-assisted business meetings, and numerous networking opportunities designed to facilitate meaningful industry connections.
The social programme will culminate with the traditional IDW Gala Evening, hosted aboard one of Dubrovnik’s most iconic ships, offering delegates an informal setting to strengthen existing partnerships and develop new business relationships while enjoying one of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular coastlines.
By combining strategic market insight, practical technology case studies, executive panel discussions, collaborative round tables, and premium networking opportunities, IDW 2026 will provide a unique platform where refiners, petrochemical producers, licensors, EPCs, and solution providers can exchange ideas, build partnerships, and identify practical pathways towards greater competitiveness, operational resilience, and sustainable growth.
International Downstream Week 2026 will take place on 22–23 September 2026 in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
