Leadership in the new reality – Catalyzing sustainable growth in the chemical industry
We are pleased to share that a physical and in-person Special Edition of the 15th Annual GPCA Forum will be held from 10 – 11 February 2021 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.
Over the last decade, the Annual GPCA Forum has served as a vital platform for the chemical industry, convening business leaders to address key challenges, recommend effective solutions and share knowledgeable experiences.
Today, we are faced with a new reality – one that is characterized by transformation across economic, social, environmental, and digital considerations. However, embracing a transformation of this magnitude has never been more challenging; hence the importance of pioneering and inspirational leadership cannot be ignored.
Highlighting the importance of an agile and resilient leadership, the conference agenda at the Forum will examine strategies to drive recovery and recalibrate for sustainable growth.
“The world is going through major transformations socially and economically and this is now the time for our industry to take a moment and look at how we can transform. The Annual GPCA Forum provides the best platform for petrochemical leaders and business partners to come together and come up with our future agenda for 2020 and beyond.”
H.E. Yousef Al-Benyan, Vice Chairman and CEO, SABIC and Chairman, GPCA
CEO, Sabic
Solvay
World Economic Forum
Ellen MacArthur Foundation
American Chemistry Council
Standard Chartered
Banque Saudi Fransi
China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF)
IHS Markit
Nouryon
SABIC
Saudi Aramco Energy Ventures
BASF Venture Capital GmBh
Agility Ventures
Borouge
a zero-waste vision
Unilever
a zero-waste vision
Veolia
a zero-waste vision
Technology and Sustainability, LyondellBasell
GPCA
The untapped potential of the Sino-Saudi cooperation in the petrochemical industry
The petrochemical industry is one of the most robust sectors of hydrocarbon demand and is expected to lead it over the next decades. However, several unforeseen challenges, including COVID-19, have heightened global uncertainties and stalled growth in the region. With this backdrop, China and Saudi Arabia remain committed to explore the untapped potential of the Sino-Saudi collaboration in the petrochemical Industry.
Top 10 digital innovations to disrupt the chemical industry
The Digitalization of the Chemical Industry, 2020
As with all other industries, digital technologies are being rapidly implemented in the global chemical industry. Leading chemical manufacturers globally are closely monitoring process improvements by leveraging digital technologies within their operations. Advances in data processing, network connectivity, sensor technology, and user interface are expected to increase productivity across the chemical value chain.
Innovation in a period of disruption
Market disruptions, especially those like the COVID-19 pandemic, present a significant challenge for all industries, including chemicals. When companies face it, they turn to a survival mode instead of looking for innovation and actively shaping their future.
How can companies confront disruption in an unconventional way, push themselves outside of their comfort zones and change their position with long term impact?
Global circular economy – how achievable is this in a pandemic and low crude oil environment?
Following the wave of outrage at the plastic pollution crisis aimed at parties from governments to the plastics industry, recycling has come to the fore as holding a significant role in creating a circular economy, assisting with improved waste management of plastics.
The rise of regulation and industries, namely FMCGs, commitment to sustainability goals saw a rise in recycling activity and this was set to grow in 2020.
“Every year I personally look forward to the Annual GPCA Forum, but this year is special as I’ve had the opportunity to talk about the Sahara-Sipchem merger and how it is generating momentum for our future. Thank you GPCA for setting up such an impressive gathering.”
Saleh Bahamdan
CEO
Sahara International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem)
“I would like to take the opportunity to thank GPCA for their continuous efforts to promote the chemical and petrochemical industry in the Gulf region, and their keenness to leverage business, technology and media platforms, for the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and experiences to enhance this vital sector.”
H.E. Eng. Abdullah Ibrahim Al-Saadan
Chairman
Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu (RCJY), Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Chemicals Clusters Champion
“I greatly valued being at the forum to speak about global risks and how they affect the chemical industry. From the Fourth Industrial Revolution, to climate change-driven transformations to geo-economic shifts, the industry faces the imperative to find the right strategies to not only respond to existing challenges, but to stay on the front foot vis-à-vis their respective longterm trajectories.”
Mirek Dusek
Deputy Head of the Centre for Geopolitical and Regional Affairs, Member of the Executive Committee
World Economic Forum
“It’s always a pleasure to be back at the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association’s Annual Forum. ExxonMobil has actively supported and participated in this forum for over a decade, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to speak at the event, particularly on the subject of partnership.”
Karen McKee
President
ExxonMobil Chemical Company
“This was my first time at the Annual GPCA Forum, and I was really impressed. I congratulate the GPCA Secretariat for the excellent organization of the event and their ability to attract such a diverse audience. I was truly humbled to be asked to deliver an inaugural speech to such an audience.”
H.E. Dr. Mohammed bin Hamad Al Rumhi
Minister of Oil and Gas
Oman
“It was a true honor for me to be at the 13th Annual GPCA Forum for the first time in the presence of global and regional industry leaders. We were brought together by our interest in the GCC as a producer of petrochemicals, and the GPCA is proof that the petrochemical sector is a robust sector in which strong global growth rates are achieved.”
H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa
Minister of Oil
Bahrain
“The Annual GPCA Forum provides an excellent opportunity to catch up with the latest trends in the global chemical and petrochemical industry. The event is packed with knowledge which offers a unique balance between research and industrial applications.”
Raghavendra Rao
Secretary, Chemicals and Petrochemicals
Department of Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals, India
“The Annual GPCA Forum is a valuable event, bringing together strong regional perspectives with business and thought leaders from around the world.”
James Seward
VP Sustainability, Technology and JVs | Chairman
LyondellBasell | World Plastics Council
“With 2,000 people in one place, the Annual GPCA Forum provides a huge opportunity for networking with our peers, colleagues and competitors, but also for meeting our customers.”
Ahmed Al-Jahdhami
CEO
Orpic
“The Annual GPCA Forum is the place where ideas get the boost to be realized in a common language and where industry players can synergize to accomplish this newly conceived paradigm across the entire value chain, getting the world aware.”
Daniele Ferrari
CEO | President
Versalis (Eni) | CEFIC
“The Annual GPCA Forum is an excellent add-on to our business in this fast expanding and dynamic region. It gives us an opportunity to listen to what regional and global industry leaders plan and think, while meeting new and existing clients to discuss key markets.”
Gina Fyffe
CEO
Integra Petrochemicals
“The Annual GPCA Forum is an excellent platform for networking. We found all our existing customers and partners together in the forum and within two days, we could meet them all. We will further promote GPCA events in the future.”
Boris van Thiel
CEO MENA Regional Cluster
thyssenkrup Industrial Solutions
“The GPCA has become ‘the voice’ of the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf region. And this year’s forum arrives at just the right moment to hear about – and discuss – the future of the gulf petrochemical and chemical industry.”
Jim Fitterling
President and Chief Operating Officer
Dow Chemical Company
“The Annual GPCA Forum is the premier petrochemical event globally.”
Neil Chapman
SVP
Exxon Mobil Corporation
“GPCA has established its annual conference as one of the world’s most globally relevant gatherings with agenda topics that are of most importance to our industry for the coming years. The Gulf region continues to be an important force in our global chemical industry.”
Bhavesh (Bob) Patel
CEO, LyondellBasell and President, International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA)
“I have attended the Annual GPCA Forum over many years and watched it grow in size and in its importance to the global petrochemical industry. The quality of the debate gets better each year making it one of the key events in the annual industry calendar.”
Tom Crotty
Director
INEOS Group
“Since attending my very first GPCA conference over 10 years ago to the recent 11th Annual GPCA Forum, I am continually impressed by the caliber of speakers and the informative presentations that are given at the forum. The gathering is a must attend event for senior executives of the chemical industry.”
John Floren
President and CEO
Methanex Corporation
“The Annual GPCA Forum has rapidly become one of the most important conferences for senior executives of the petrochemical industry from all major regions to gather and discuss important issues and challenges confronting the industry.”
Fernando Musa
CEO
Braskem
“The 12th Annual GPCA Forum continues to provide an excellent environment to debate and discuss the main issues facing our industry and solutions for the future.”
Dr. Hariolf Kottmann
CEO
Clariant and President, CEFIC and ICCA
“The Annual GPCA Forum is undoubtedly the most important chemical industry forum in our region.
Each time the forum attracts new leaders with fresh perspectives making enriching contributions to our industry.”
H.E. Khalid Al-Falih
Minister of Energy Industry and Mineral Resources
Saudi Arabia