The process of energy transition presents a monumental challenge and an incredible opportunity, as the world seeks to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. At the heart of the energy transition lies the chemical industry. On one hand, the chemical sector is vital to enabling sustainable solutions like the production of clean energy technologies, and minimizing food waste, therefore significantly reducing CO2 emissions. On the other hand, the chemical sector is very energy intensive. It is...

On the sidelines of the 17th Annual GPCA Forum, the GPCA Podcast hosted Dr. Bob Maughon, EVP, Sustainability, Technology & Innovation and Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer, SABIC, and Chairman, R&I Committee, GPCA, in conversation with Aseel Al Masoudi, Member, GPCA Youth Council, and Commercial & Downstream Business Partner, OQ.  In this podcast, Dr. Maughon tells listeners: “You have significant opportunities for growth in this region, opportunity to leverage...

François Good, SVP Refining & Chemicals Middle East, Africa & Asia, Strategy and Growth, TotalEnergies, joined Aseel Al Masoudi, Member, GPCA Youth Council, and Commercial & Downstream Business Partner, OQ, on the sidelines of the 17th Annual GPCA Forum, to discuss the company’s energy outlook and its work with the company’s JV in the region with Saudi Aramco – SATORP.  The podcast also covers: The topic of sustainability and TotalEnergies’ commitment to climate action  The...

Adriano Alfani, CEO, Versalis, speaks to Sara Soleja, GPCA Youth Council Sub-Committee Chair, and Project Engineer, Saudi Aramco, on the sidelines of the 17th Annual GPCA Forum as part of a special episode of the GPCA Podcast.  Reflecting on the challenges of 2023, Alfani admits the past 12 months were not the most favorable for chemical and petrochemical producers globally, but he remains positive, highlighting some of Versalis’ key achievements, including a recent acquisition and...

In a special interview for the GPCA Podcast, Mutlaq H. Al-Morished, CEO, Tasnee and Chairman, GPCA International Trade Committee, speaks to Sara Soleja, GPCA Youth Council Sub-Committee Chair, and Project Engineer, Saudi Aramco, on the sidelines of the 17th Annual GPCA Forum, about the trade landscape for chemical producers in the region.  “As a GCC block, we need to form bilateral agreements with major trading partners, such as the EU, Asia, and America. We also need tax treaties with...

The GPCA Podcast features an exclusive interview with Tom Crotty, Group Director, Ineos.  Speaking to Dima Horani, Head of Marcom and Membership, GPCA, on the sidelines of the 17th Annual GPCA Forum, Crotty said: “Short term, 2024 is going to be a very tough year for the industry. Longer term, with the opportunities presented by the energy transition, I am very optimistic.”  In his extensive interview, he discusses: Ineos’ experience in driving organic and inorganic growth, the...

The plastics recycling opportunity in the Arabian Gulf region is vast and largely untapped. GPCA estimates that approximately 10 million tons of plastic waste is generated in the GCC each year, but only a modest 10% of plastic and metal waste is recycled, reused, or recovered on average.   The GCC is currently among the least affected regions by plastic pollution in the world and with low levels of municipal plastic waste volume. Nevertheless, the region is home to significant hydrocarbon...

Mohammed Al-Akil, Sr. Analyst, Strategy and Disclosures, SABIC, and Chairman, GPCA Youth Council spoke with James Brimm, Executive Advisor, SIPCHEM, in a special episode of the GPCA TV and Podcast during the Annual GPCA Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He discussed next year’s plans and milestones by GPCA Youth Council and provided further updates into the Council’s projects and mission.  This episode also covers: Vision and mission of the GPCA Youth Council, what are its mission and...

Hilal Al Kharusi, Chief Executive, Commercial & Downstream, OQ, joined James Brimm, Executive Advisor, SIPCHEM, for a special episode of the GPCA TV and Podcast during the Annual GPCA Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He discussed sustainability, alternative energy, and the latest OQ’s projects and initiatives. This episode also covers: The impact of the energy transition on the petrochemical sector How is OQ responding to disruptions? OQ’s plans to develop alternative energy and its...

Abdulrahman Shamsaddin, CEO, SABIC Agri-Nutrients, spoke with James Brimm, Executive Advisor, SIPCHEM, in a special episode of the GPCA TV and Podcast during the Annual GPCA Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He discussed the role of agri-nutient in addressing global food security and the  enablers contributing to a more competitive industry in the region. This episode also covers: Achieving food security by 2030 and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals Challenges in the agri-nutrient...

Jacob Duer, President & CEO, Alliance to End Plastic Waste, joined James Brimm, Executive Advisor, SIPCHEM, for a special episode of the GPCA TV and Podcast during the Annual GPCA Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He discussed the circular economy, the GPCA Symposium, the Alliance’s collaboration with GPCA and much more. This episode also covers: How far away are we from realizing the circular economy? How can we ensure plastic does not leak into the environment and end up as waste? ...

Doug Kelly, President, Technology, KBR, joined James Brimm, Executive Advisor, SIPCHEM, for a special episode of the GPCA TV and Podcast during the Annual GPCA Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He discussed the clean energy transition, decarbonization, the role of technology and everything in between. This episode also covers: The GCC region’s opportunity towards world leadership on the clean energy transition The role of technology in the industry’s decarbonization efforts What other...

Hur Sung Woo, EVP, LG Chem, joined James Brimm, Executive Advisor, SIPCHEM, for a special episode of the GPCA TV and Podcast during the Annual GPCA Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He discussed the latest Environment, Social and Governance trends and how companies can realize their potential.  This episode also covers: Opportunities to turn the ESG theory into action LG Chem’s, in particular, and South Korea’s chemical industry’s approach to ESG The importance of imbedding ESG across the...

The GPCA Youth Council is delighted to present the second episode in a series of podcasts, designed to address the topics that matter the most to the region’s youth and building local human capital in the Arabian Gulf region.  Navigating the ‘Future Of Work’ can be a challenging task, with new workforce entrants increasingly having to learn new skills and adapt to the fast-paced work environment. Defined as one of the core attributes needed to succeed in your career, relationship building is...

In the second episode of the GPCA Value Navigation series, our guests unpack a variety of topics, but with the central key theme of “value-based outcomes” for mandatory accountability; defining the action space and pushing minimum requirements. The statement “it’s not enough to” sets the stage for individuals and companies to raise the bar and set new competitive advantages. When something is “enough” it means that it is at a satisfactory level or quantity. The phrase “it’s not enough” is...

The plastic waste challenge is a pressing issue which is in no small part driven by a knowledge gap in the public and the misconception that plastic — and not people — are to blame. New technologies are emerging to increase the circularity of plastic products, while optimizing their efficiency and reducing their environmental impact. To help close the knowledge gap and educate the public about the different aspects surrounding plastic and plastic waste, this podcast will explore perspectives...

GPCA is pleased to present a special series dedicated to value navigation in line with its mission to deliver the very latest trends and topics to its members and wider network partners. The series will attempt to deliver valuable perspectives and understandings that come from application, and execution. It will also look to provide insights, with concise and compelling findings that allow thought leadership, networking and advocacy to: Provide a high-resolution lens in consideration of...

ESG is continuously growing which indicates how important it is becoming, creating consumer trust and developing positive relationships with investors. It is an essential aspect that companies are utilizing to gain a competitive advantage.  This podcast will seek the views of two esteemed industry leaders about the impact of the ESG agenda on chemical supply chains in the region; some of the key initiatives and projects contributing to supply chain sustainability today; what progress has been...

Sergey Komyshan, Executive Director for Marketing and Sales, Sibur, the largest integrated petrochemicals company in Russia, joined GPCA TV and Podcast at the Annual GPCA Forum in Dubai to share more about the company’s plans for the future, its presence in the region and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the petrochemical industry in the country. Key highlights from his interview include: Key takeaways from some of the Annual GPCA Forum Sibur presence and investments in the GCC The...

Eng. Sami I. Sarhan, Head, Industry Innovation Engagement, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), joined the GPCA TV and Podcast at the Annual GPCA Forum in Dubai where he shared his perspective on The role of industry-academia collaboration in helping to support innovation in the GCC region and advance socio-economic development The KAUST Industry Collaboration Program (KICP), some of its key objectives and the benefits of being part of the program Key enablers to help...

Dietmar Siersdorfer, Managing Director, Siemens Energy Middle East and UAE, and speaker at the 15th Annual GPCA Forum, joined the GPCA TV and podcast to share his thoughts on the hydrogen revolution in the region. The form was held in Dubai on 7 – 9 December under the theme ‘Redefine. Reshape. Reinvent. The Chemical Industry in a Post-Pandemic Reality’. In an insightful interview, Siersdorfer shared his expert view on opportunities to leverage the Arabian Gulf region’s abundant energy...