Ammonia is a key component in the green energy transition. A chemical compound of nitrogen and hydrogen, ammonia is a vital raw component in the production of numerous key nitrogen compounds. It is produced worldwide, with its most common use being agri-nutrients, considered as the cornerstone of food security in today’s landscape.

Historically, ammonia has been produced through Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC), a process utilized in ammonia production plants to convert crude oil in order to extract the hydrogen atoms and convert it into ammonia. The traditional process releases high amounts of CO2 to the atmosphere. The production of ammonia where CO2 is released to the atmosphere is labelled as grey ammonia. Globally, countries and industries pledged to reduce their CO2 emissions to combat climate change. In order to combat climate change, countries have pledged to net-zero production after the climate change conference in Paris 2015. In an attempt to reduce the CO2 emissions resulting from ammonia production, the CO2 product gets captured. This reduces the CO2 emissions as the CO2 can be stored or utilized instead of releasing it to the atmosphere. Producing ammonia while capturing the CO2 is labelled as blue ammonia. 

Ammonia has the potential to become an important zero-carbon fuel for maritime shipping, as well as an energy and transport carrier given its higher volumetric energy density compared to hydrogen. What are the enablers and challenges in producing blue and green ammonia? What is the chemical industry’s role in driving the energy transition and where do we stand today on our journey to net-zero? To answer these questions and more, Mohamed Almoosawi, Mechanical Supervisor, GPIC, and Co-Chair of the Sustainability Sub Council, GPCA Youth Council, sat down with Munif Al Munif, General Manager, T&I, SABIC Agri-Nutrients, to shed more light on this important topic and get the latest updates.

Today, the WTO has 166 members and 23 member countries with observer status. Between them they account for 98% of world trade in goods & services. The global integration of economies has been a key driver of global GDP growth, but it has also introduced instabilities as the benefits of globalization have not been uniformly distributed across societies. As a result of this, there have been winners and losers at the global stage, leading to varying levels of economic prosperity. This disparity has sparked debates and movements advocating for more localized and protectionist economic policies which lead to barriers that can reverse certain elements of globalization. This has the potential of impacting the chemicals trade, with drastic ramifications for the GCC region, which is largely export-oriented.

To address these questions and more, GPCA has bought together two leading industry experts, Lisa Schroeter Senior Government Affairs Director, Dow | Member, GPCA International Trade Committee and John Mathew Vice President, Business Development Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS, a Dow Jones Company, in conversation with Mohamed Zaman Senior Committees Affairs Specialist, GPCA, who delve into the implications of deglobalization on trade. Drawing upon their extensive experience, they address:

- The challenges and opportunities in chemicals trade today 

Plastics are under the spotlight once again with the INC-4 concluding in Ottawa in April and the INC-5 set to take place in Busan, South Korea this December. Important issues will come under discussion to form part of a global treaty on plastics which will shape the industry’s future for decades to come.

Just as the energy transition looks at new forms of energy to power our planet, a materials transition is taking place in how we produce and consume products, with far-reaching implications on plastics. As global legislation, end-user demand and industry innovation continue to drive impact on the reuse, reduce and recycling of consumer packaging, the sector is finding itself in the midst of a perfect storm.

What are the drivers that will accelerate the pace of change and how will they impact virgin and post-consumer plastics? To answer these questions, and more, GPCA has hosted two industry experts, each of whom shares extensive insights from their own fields into:

- The materials transition and what it means for plastics

- The impact of legislation on the industry globally and within the GCC region

- The role of EPR schemes, chemical recycling, product design and innovation in accelerating the transition

- What will be the hurdles, barriers and opportunities in this fast-moving transition? 

https://www.gpca.org.ae/gpca-podcast/

Supply chains all over the world have witnessed an unprecedented level of disruption. Geopolitical tension,

➢ In today’s uncertain world, what are the key imperatives for regional supply chain leaders?

Guest: 

Saleh Al Shabnan

Arun Bruce

Host

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

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.

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

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. 

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

• Gemini Corporation’s work in plastic recycling 

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. 

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

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 topic of sustainability and TotalEnergies’ commitment to climate action 

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. 

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

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. 

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

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