Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) has announced Stan Knez as its Chief Technology Officer, bringing with him 30 years of industry experience in global technology portfolios and alliance technology partnerships.
FFI is leading the green industrial revolution, developing technology solutions for hard-to-decarbonise industries, while building a global portfolio of renewable green hydrogen and green ammonia projects with a target to supply 15 million tonnes per year of green hydrogen by 2030.
Most recently, Mr Knez was Chief Technology Officer at Technip Energies, where he managed the technology portfolio, led innovation and research and development programs, as well as oversaw product lines.
FFI has a growing portfolio of technology assets. Last week Fortescue announced it has entered in a share sale and purchase agreement to acquire Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE). WAE will be vertically integrated into Fortescue's diversified resources and green energy business and will be managed via FFI.
FFI has also made investments in key technology companies including Xergy (now FFI Ionix), HyET Solar and HyET Hydrogen, and is building a multi-gigawatt-scale electrolyser factory in Queensland, in partnership with Plug Power, with construction due to begin next month.
FFI Chief Executive Officer Julie Shuttleworth AM said, "Innovation and world-leading technology are key to tackling global warming. FFI's Chief Technology Officer will be a key contributor to FFI cementing itself as a technology leader.
"FFI's focus on technology will give us the edge in the race to decarbonise the planet and enhance our position to decarbonise heavy industry.
"We are looking forward to Stan joining the FFI team. He brings proven leadership skills and a strong track record in identifying early phase energy transition technologies for potential strategic positioning or investment," Ms Shuttleworth said.
Mr Knez said, "I am looking forward to starting with FFI as it powers forward creating a green energy and green technology powerhouse that could revolutionise the way we power our planet, decarbonise heavy industry and create jobs globally.
"We are seeing growing demand for green energy solutions, as industries look for greener fuels to reduce their carbon footprint and meet their sustainability goals. I'm excited to join the FFI team to help meet that demand," Mr Knez said.
Commencing on 1 February and based in the United States, Mr Knez will be responsible for overseeing technology acquisition and investment, and the provision of key technologies to FFI.
Mr Knez holds an MBA in finance and international business from the University of St. Thomas (Houston) and a master's degree in chemical engineering from Cleveland State University. Mr Knez completed a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland.
