GPCA Podcast GPCA

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 the largest industrial energy consumer and the third largest industry subsector in terms of direct CO2 emissions1, making it hard-to-abate.



Beyond direct emissions, the industry faces a significant challenge tackling "Scope 3" emissions. These emissions account for half of its total emissions and include all activities along an organization's value chain or its assets. These emissions are also the most difficult to address. 



Recent global commitments and ongoing discourse paint a clear picture: embracing sustainability is no longer a choice, but the essential path for the chemical industry's survival and contribution to a cleaner world. This demands innovation and decarbonization within the industry, while it simultaneously develops the very solutions for a greener future. With rising pressure on industries globally to comply with climate abatement targets in the run up to the mid of the century, GPCA has invited two industry experts to address the contentious issues surrounding the climate debate and the speed and scale at which chemical firms can enact change within their own products and operations, while continuing to deliver the vital materials that the world needs. 



Dr. Shihab Elborai, Partner, Strategy& Middle East, joins Mohamed Zaman, Sr. Committees Affairs Specialist, GPCA for this episode of the GPCA Podcast to address these issues and much more. 

 

 

In this special episode of the GPCA Podcast, Surendra Patawari, Founder and Chairman of Gemini Corporation, speaks to Aseel Al Masoudi, Member, GPCA Youth Council, and Commercial & Downstream Business Partner, OQ, on the sidelines of the 17th Annual GPCA Forum. 



Patawari opened the interview with a staggering statistic: “The world generates almost 1 million tons plastic waste and less than 10% is recycled. In the next three years this is going to triple,” he tells listeners. 

In an insightful conversation with the GPCA Podcast host, he covers pertinent topics ranging from:

Gemini Corporation’s work in plastic recycling 

His vision for the circular economy

How well is the GCC positioned to make the circular economy a reality?

Extended producer responsibility – its benefits and challenges

The industry’s role in addressing climate change 

The role of sustainability and transformation in securing the industry’s future

His impressions from this year’s forum 



For more podcasts and the latest insights on the regional chemical markets,  visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

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 technologies around feedstocks, and an immense opportunity to invest in the development of talent in the region. But at the same time, you have a global environment where increased regulatory pressure and increased pressure to embrace sustainability exists.”



He also discusses:

The key challenges for the chemical industry on both a regional and global level

The SABIC Decarbonization Roadmap, what it involves and how it plans to achieve it

The role of innovation in driving impact on sustainability in the chemical industry

The top innovation priorities at SABIC 

The future of the plastic industry and the role of the World Plastics Council (WPC) in enabling a more sustainable tomorrow

His impressions from the forum 



 

For more podcasts and the latest insights on the regional chemical markets,  visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

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 industry’s progress on the Paris Accord and the feasibility of the 2 degrees target

TotalEnergies’ plans for future projects and partnerships in the GCC region

Its long-standing partnerships in the region and Qatar, including QAPCO

His impressions from the forum 



 

For more podcasts and the latest insights on the regional chemical markets,  visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

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 realizing its objectives on advancing sustainability and circularity. 



He discusses:

Key highlights and challenges for the chemical industry and Versalis in 2023

His expectations for 2024, the challenges facing chemical producers in the next 12 months and how they should address them

How can the industry scale up for the clean energy transition? 

What can companies do individually and collectively to enable the transition and be a part of it?

Is the industry on track to meet ambitious net-zero targets for 2050? 

The roadblocks and challenges along the way

Opportunities presented by the energy transition to chemical and petrochemical producers and how chemical players can capitalize on them

The role of legislation and infrastructure building to ensure clean energy transition is accelerated

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 other countries. Today we have very few tax treaties. Such agreements will make our industry more competitive,” he tells the GPCA podcast host. 



As part of the interview, he also goes on to discuss: 

The GCC’s role as a valuable trading partner in the global chemical industry

The opportunities ahead to expand the region’s exports of chemicals and petrochemicals

What regulations are required to enable the region’s trade growth

The role of chemical industry in the modernization of the WTO

What particular changes he’d like to see in the future

Plans and priorities for the GPCA International Trade Committee in 2024

 



For more podcasts and the latest insights on the regional chemical markets,  visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership