The global chemical industry is undergoing a rapid shift as the global economy is in a period of flux. The year 2020 was an inflection point for the chemical industry, with the pandemic exposing the industry’s weaknesses and accelerating the formation of new strategies and business models. The unprecedented speed and scale of the crisis brought about a surge in various trends, especially digitalization, which created a host of opportunities for the downstream hydrocarbon industry, and a heightened focus on sustainability.
The adoption of modern digital technologies has not only increased productivity, but also supported the development of new and innovative business ideas. The pandemic further accelerated the drive towards decarbonization, which in turn is supporting several nations’ vision to meet their net zero carbon emission targets. With clean hydrogen gaining traction around the world, it presents a new opportunity for the industry to embark on the journey of energy transition. In response to policy needs and evolving consumer preferences, investors too are taking decarbonization seriously, further intensifying environmental, social and governance (ESG) efforts. Incorporating ESG strategies is helping build competitive advantage and advancing the industry’s sustainability agenda.
“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.”
Yousef Al-Benyan, Vice Chairman and CEO, SABIC and Chairman, GPCA
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TESTIMONIALS
“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 Downstream
OQ
“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
Former CEO
Sahara International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem)
“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 Investment
Saudi Arabia
“The Annual GPCA Forum is the preeminent event in the Middle East that brings together the top industry leaders in the petrochemical industry. The level of engagement with keynote speakers and during panel discussions is exceptional, pushing the industry to drive better performance and more output.”
Rebecca Liebert
President and CEO
Honeywell UOP
“This forum offers an opportunity to meet with top industry executives all in one place and that is really a very compelling value proposition.”
Dr. Markus Steilemann
CEO, Chairman of the Board of Management
Covestro
“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
Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, India
“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
“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’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
“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)
“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 the premier petrochemical event globally.”
Neil Chapman
SVP
Exxon Mobil Corporation
“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
“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 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
“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
“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
“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