16th Annual GPCA Forum
The 16th Annual GPCA Forum was held on 6-8 December 2022, for the first time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to discuss the strategic issues impacting the chemical sector under the theme ‘Chemistry in Action, Shaping a Sustainable Future’. Read the official post event report to find out more about the forum’s program, the speaker’s presentations and the networking opportunities that delegates enjoyed at GPCA’s flagship event.
15th Annual GPCA Forum
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.
14th Annual GPCA Forum
The chemical industry is operating in a complex business landscape underpinned by rapidly changing regulations, constant technology disruption, increased market uncertainty and evolving customer demands. To win in this increasingly complex environment, chemical producers will need to foster diverse and strategic partnerships across the product value chain and increase their collaboration with partners, customers, suppliers and even competitors. A concerted focus on innovation, product diversification and establishing key market presence will be more important than ever to improve the industry’s competitiveness and position it on a path of increased profitability.
Held on 3-5 December 2019 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE under the theme of ‘Winning through Strategic Partnerships’, the 14th Annual GPCA Forum examined strategies that chemical companies should adopt to navigate new market complexities, capture profitable growth and consolidate their leadership positions. It brought together industry leaders from the region and the world to share their insights and inspirational case studies on how to deliver value for shareholders, business and society, how to innovate for the future and address key challenges, while building a competitive downstream industry in the GCC.
13th Annual GPCA Forum
The Annual GPCA Forum has cemented its reputation as the foremost gathering for chemical industry leaders in the Arabian Gulf region and earned international recognition as an important global forum for the exchange of ideas and networking. Starting as a modest industry gathering in 2006, the forum has grown over the years to become the regional premium platform for facilitating knowledge sharing, collaboration and best practice exchange among industry stakeholders in the GCC and globally. The forum offers an ideal opportunity to share strategic insight and market intelligence on chemicals and petrochemicals, helping delegates to navigate through the changing chemical environment, and make the most of new opportunities
Building on last year’s theme of the imperative for transformation, the 2018 program examined strategies, case studies and the steps companies can take to enhance their transformational journey.
Industry leaders emphasized on the need to invest strategically, prepare for global growth and face the challenges of a changing business environment. Other key topics that came under the spotlight were digitalization, cyber security, redefining refining and petrochemical integration, relocating to emerging markets and
embracing the move to a circular economy.
The main conference program offered the visionary thought leadership and insight industry leaders have come to expect from the Annual GPCA Forum, while a range of seminars and masterclasses provided more practical tools and strategies to address future challenges. A special focus was given to sustainability, with GPCA launching its first Sustainability Initiative and Sustainability Zone. Another first for the forum was the inauguration of the exhibition by H.E. Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, Minister of Oil, Bahrain. His Excellency was accompanied by dignitaries from Saudi Arabia, including Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thenayan Al-Saud, Chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Chairman of SABIC.
12th Annual GPCA Forum
The 12th Annual GPCA Forum brought together thought leaders and industry experts from across the region and beyond to share insights on driving strategic partnerships, industry diversification, long-term strategic investments and capitalizing on a new era of changes in the global competiveness landscape.