Plastics and Petrochemical Summit 2013

The use of plastics in the Middle East is on the rise by as much as 8% per year. Fuelled by an increase in internal production and the need to diversify their economies beyond oil and gas, countries in the GCC are investing heavily in setting up integrated polymer parks. These parks provide easy logistics for the entire value chain that encompasses the petrochemical industry, the chemical industry, the compounders and the converters.

On the agenda for these industries is to standardise the systems and processes across the entire value chain. For this, there is a need for better technologies from machinery manufacturers, additive and catalyst producers. Saudi Arabia has taken the lead in this by diversifying it’s product portfolio beyond just polyolefin.

Countries like the U.A.E., Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are looking to follow suit so they are not left behind.

The Middle East’s petrochemical industry receives ethane feedstock at subsidised rates, giving it a clear cost advantage across the world. Thereafter, this cost advantage trickle’s down to the downstream industry thus making the region the epicentre for the global petrochemical and plastics industry. However, with a global shift towards plastic production for speciality applications like automotive and healthcare, the region needs to establish strong JVs with key international partners to get better access to technology.

Plastics and Petrochemicals 2013 will focus on the strategic planning for the entire value chain from feedstock to the finished product. Company specific plans will be discussed and technology experts will showcase innovative products and solutions.

All this will create a beneficial forum for the industry designed to help you improve your industry knowledge and build important business connections.