Employee Spotlight: Dr. Hong Jin, Business Development Manager, Renewables

Can you tell us about your current role at AmSpec? 

I joined AmSpec in 2023 to lead the development of our renewable fuel testing portfolio and sustainability certification services. My role focuses on expanding our capabilities to support the energy transition, primarily through third-party verification and life cycle assessment-based certifications. 

What are you focused on in the renewables space? 

One of our major milestones has been the launch of the Green and Blue Hydrogen Verification Program. We’ve developed a full guidance document, trademarked our verification logos, and made the program fully implementable in North and South America, including a Spanish-language version. It allows us to verify the lifecycle carbon footprint, water footprint, and other environmental attributes of hydrogen production, which is highly valuable to producers looking to market their products to buyers and offtakers globally. 

We’re also seeing growing demands for carbon footprint certifications, including Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), ISCC EU, ISCC PLUS, and CORSIA. Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is a key part of this work, it’s the foundation for evaluating emissions, environmental impact, and compliance across various fuel and feedstock pathways. 

In addition to certification, we test a wide range of renewable feedstocks and fuels, including bio-based materials, renewable diesel, biodiesel, SAF, and other synthetic biofuels. We offer fuel blending services, on-site and laboratory testing, feedstock characterization, and C-14 radiocarbon testing to determine biogenic content. These services are available globally in Europe, Asia Pacific, North America, and South America. 

Overall, my role involves connecting these capabilities—testing, certification, and LCA—into a unified platform that enables our clients to succeed in the rapidly evolving markets. 

Can you tell us a bit about your career path and what inspired your move from traditional oil and gas to the energy transition and renewables sector? 

There has never been a big shift. I’ve been focusing on sustainability and low-carbon solutions from the beginning of my career. It began during my Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the University of Kansas, where I worked on environmentally beneficial solvents, including biodegradable and low-carbon alternatives to petroleum-based materials. That work introduced me to life cycle assessment and the broader concept of reducing environmental impact through green chemistry principles. 

After graduating in 2006, I joined ConocoPhillips as part of the biofuels R&D team, where I built life cycle assessment models for various alternative fuels like biodiesel, renewable diesel, and ethanol. I developed these models from scratch using data from the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, and other reliable sources, and applied the findings to inform business strategies and fuel registration efforts. I was involved in the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) rulemaking process, validating carbon intensity assumptions and providing comments to the proposed rules. 

Later, at Chevron, I expanded my focus to include broader environmental impacts—energy efficiency, carbon footprint, water use, and land use—across upstream and downstream operations. I led various sustainability projects at Chevron, one of which was the evaluation of environmental benefits and feasibility of co-processing of biofuels at various Chevron refineries.  

After Chevron, I joined Geosyntec Consultants, where I helped build a life cycle assessment practice in the Energy Transition team, serving sectors like mining, chemicals, and renewable power. I worked on everything from building greenhouse gas inventories to carbon reduction strategies and helping clients qualify for carbon incentives through LCFS, RFS, IRS 45Q, and DOE Loan Guarantee Programs. 

Rather than a shift into renewables, my entire career has followed a consistent path—applying science, data, and lifecycle thinking to reduce environmental impact and enable a more sustainable energy future. 

What sets AmSpec apart in the energy transition space compared to other companies entering this market? 

What sets AmSpec apart is the breadth and depth of our services. We’re not just offering one piece of the puzzle; we provide everything from sample collection and physical testing to third-party certification and audits, covering every stage of the value chain. 

With over 300 locations globally, we’re co-located with many clients. That allows us to offer fast, efficient, on-site sampling, testing, and verification services at the plant, terminal, or even vessel-side for international shipping. We also maintain a robust sample retention system, which is beneficial for quality control, litigation support, or retesting purposes. 

Another differentiator is our ability to develop custom methodologies for characterizing new materials, particularly for clients with novel or complex processes. We often help them with troubleshooting contamination issues or stability concerns, which can be critical for product commercialization. 

Then there’s our C-14 radiocarbon testing. Before AmSpec, turnaround times for biogenic content testing were often weeks or months, and the testing was mainly conducted by universities or national labs. We offer C-14 testing with a two- to three-day turnaround, and we now operate these labs at multiple locations worldwide. 

We also perform third-party verifications of the chain of custody documents and assist clients in obtaining sustainability certifications such as the ISCC certificates and deforestation due diligence certificates under the EUDR. We work with clients across North and South America, Europe, and Asia to help them meet various compliance requirements. 

Most importantly, it’s our people. Our team has extensive experience in oil and gas, renewables, and agricultural sectors. We understand the complexity of large operations and are properly trained in safety and compliance. We have also collaborated with regulatory agencies in numerous countries, which positions us at the forefront among our competitors. 

You’re involved in several technical committees and industry groups. How do those experiences help shape AmSpec’s role in the market? 

Staying engaged in the industry is crucial for AmSpec to align with market trends and regulations. Since joining, I've represented the company in several key industry associations. I currently serve on the sustainability committee and work groups for clean hydrogen and carbon capture under the TIC Council, contributing to white papers published in 2024 that received positive feedback. 

AmSpec is a member of the Canadian Hydrogen Association, where I serve on the Policy Committee, advocating for policies that foster growth in the hydrogen sector and educating Canadian policymakers. Additionally, I’m involved with ASTM committees and the Clean Fuels Alliance America, and I sit on the American Center for Life Cycle Assessment (ACLCA) board, focusing on sustainability practices and standards, including LCA methodologies, certification frameworks, and the broader integration of environmental impact into business decisions. 

Being part of these groups enables us to contribute, exchange ideas, and share the latest learnings with AmSpec, allowing us to better support our clients. 

What’s your view of the development of renewables in the current environment? 

The current regulatory landscape is complex. In the U.S., green hydrogen development is slowing down due to a lack of support for renewable energy, while blue hydrogen is gaining momentum thanks to low natural gas prices and the 45V tax credits for clean hydrogen. SAF, now called synthetic aviation fuels, also sees strong bipartisan support, driven by blending mandates in Europe and the UK and backed by the U.S. agricultural industry, encouraging U.S. producers to scale up.  

Biogas, a mature technology that converts agricultural waste and byproducts into renewable energy, has significant potential to supply clean energy to decentralized communities and integrate into existing natural gas infrastructure. Last but not the least, through involvement with the Canadian Hydrogen Association (CHA), we hope we can help advance the development for all hydrogen production technologies and support public-private partnerships to deliver affordable and high-quality clean hydrogen to consumers.  

What excites you most about the future of energy transition and the role AmSpec will play in shaping it? 

We’ve already built a strong foundation at AmSpec, combining physical product assurance and sustainability certifications into a comprehensive service offering. What excites me now is the opportunity to take that even further, to deepen the integration of those services, scale them globally, and build a team to support clients across every stage of their sustainability journey. 

The energy transition is still evolving, and many clients are experiencing rapid growth, entering new markets, or introducing new technologies. We want to grow with them, not just as a service provider, but as a long-term partner. 

I hope that in 10 years, we’ll look back and see that these renewable services—whether it’s sustainability certification, carbon footprint verification, or life cycle assessment —have become a major pillar of AmSpec’s global business. That’s what I’m working toward, and that’s what makes this space so exciting.