Overview

This webinar is part of the ChemEngConnect 2026 programme, a premier two-week virtual conference bringing together chemical engineering professionals from around the globe.

Digital twins and smart sensor systems are transforming real‑time process control across the mining, minerals, and metals sectors. This webinar explores how advanced modelling, sensor fusion, and data‑driven decision tools can unlock new levels of operational insight, particularly for hydrogen direct reduced iron (H2‑DRI) processes, where dynamic behaviour, feed variability, and tight control of reduction conditions are critical.

Professor Matthew Watson will discuss the integration of high‑fidelity digital twins with next‑generation sensing technologies to improve mineral liberation monitoring, optimise reagent dosing, and enable predictive maintenance. Drawing on his extensive industrial and academic experience in process engineering, decarbonisation technologies, and industrial‑scale modelling, he will illustrate how these tools accelerate innovation and support the transition to low‑carbon metals production.

Speaker

Matthew Watson, Professor of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Canterbury

Matthew is a professor of chemical and process engineering at the University of Canterbury, specialising in the decarbonisation of heavy industry using renewably generated electricity. His career spans 15 years in industrial gases R&D at Air Products, where he worked on materials development, pilot‑scale technologies, and adsorption science, before joining academia in 2015. He is a Fellow of Engineering NZ and IChemE, a lifetime member of the American Ceramic Society, and serves as deputy director of the Biomolecular Interaction Centre.

Matthew is also a co‑founder of CullBeck, a hydrogen direct reduced iron (H2‑DRI) technology company, and advises several cleantech ventures. His research covers ammonia, cement, steel, and metals decarbonisation, alongside applied process modelling and industrial innovation. His research focusses on using renewably generated electricity to decarbonise heavy industry including ammonia, cement, steel, and other metals; and worked in the industrial gases sector for 15 years at Air Products and Chemical, primarily in research and development roles.

Bavinesh Maisuria, Chief Technology Officer, CullBeck

Bavinesh is developing a game-changing hydrogen-based fluidised-bed technology to reduce CO2 emissions from ironmaking.

Bavinesh began doctoral research on the hydrogen reduction of New Zealand ironsands in a fluidised bed. During his PhD, he helped design and build two experimental reactors, contributed to the development of a patent, and played a key role in laying the foundation for a commercial technology.

The material presented has not been peer-reviewed. Any opinions are the presenter’s own and do not necessarily represent those of IChemE or the Mining and Minerals Special Interest Group. The information is given in good faith but without any liability on the part of IChemE.

Time

09:00–10:00 BST.

Webinar delivery

This webinar will now be part of the ChemEngConnect Global Virtual Conference Program. Please use the link below to register via the ChemEngConnect website.