David Vlajic, NOVA Chemicals – Uptime & Leadership – Shutdowns Turnarounds Superconference
Overview
Uptime & Leadership recently attended the Canadian Institute’s Shutdowns Turnarounds Superconference in Calgary, Alberta. David Vlajic discuss the importance of best practices in the shutdowns and turnarounds industry at the super conference in Calgary. David, with NOVA Chemicals, highlights the company's focus on manufacturing excellence, reliability, and optimizing turnarounds. Nova operates in three regions: Joffrey, Sarnia, and Geismar, and is also moving towards circularity with a recycling plant in the Midwest. David emphasizes the need for long-term planning, predictive maintenance, and collaboration within the industry to ensure successful operations and asset management. He recommends the conference for newcomers to learn and share best practices.
Outline
Optimizing Turnarounds and Operational Excellence
David Vlajic, part of NOVA Chemicals' manufacturing excellence team, focuses on translating industry best practices into field execution. His work emphasizes optimizing turnarounds, ensuring smooth startups, and handing over assets to operational teams at full capacity. Reliability and uptime remain key priorities in these efforts.
NOVA Chemicals’ Operations and Expansion
NOVA Chemicals is expanding its sustainability efforts with a new recycling plant in the Midwest, designed to process polyethylene and support circularity in manufacturing. The company operates major facilities in Joffrey, Sarnia, and Geismar. The discussion highlighted the broader industry shift toward sustainability, with a lighthearted mention of how everyday items, like clothing, now incorporate recycled polyethylene.
Career Experience and Industry Insights
With extensive experience spanning turnaround management, project oversight, and hydroprocessing operations, Vlajic brings a deep understanding of the industry's challenges. His career includes nearly two decades with Synchro (part of Imperial Oil/Exxon Mobil) and construction projects across Alberta, providing a well-rounded perspective on planning and executing successful turnarounds.
Planning for Predictability in Maintenance
Strategic planning is essential for successful turnarounds, particularly in identifying long lead items well in advance—an increasingly critical factor in post-COVID supply chain conditions. The shift from time-based maintenance to condition-based strategies is gaining traction, leveraging technology to detect early performance indicators. Reliability remains a cornerstone in optimizing asset lifespans and ensuring operational predictability.
The Value of Industry Collaboration
Industry conferences provide a vital forum for sharing best practices, learning from both successes and missteps, and strengthening partnerships. With the industry being highly interconnected, events like this serve as essential opportunities for networking and staying ahead of evolving challenges. Vlajic emphasized the importance of collaboration, reinforcing the need for continuous learning and adaptation in turnaround strategies.