GPCA Podcast

Hur Sung Woo, EVP, LG Chem, joined James Brimm, Executive Advisor, SIPCHEM, for a special episode of the GPCA TV and Podcast during the Annual GPCA Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He discussed the latest Environment, Social and Governance trends and how companies can realize their potential. 

This episode also covers:

• Opportunities to turn the ESG theory into action
• LG Chem’s, in particular, and South Korea’s chemical industry’s approach to ESG
• The importance of imbedding ESG across the entire value chain and pitfalls companies  should look out for
• The government’s and regulator’s role in providing strong policy and regulatory support with regards to ESG
• ESG standards and regulations in South Korea
• Value enablers of ESG compliance

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

The GPCA Youth Council is delighted to present the second episode in a series of podcasts, designed to address the topics that matter the most to the region’s youth and building local human capital in the Arabian Gulf region. 

Navigating the ‘Future Of Work’ can be a challenging task, with new workforce entrants increasingly having to learn new skills and adapt to the fast-paced work environment. Defined as one of the core attributes needed to succeed in your career, relationship building is a critical skill every young professional should develop. So, how can fledgeling industry professionals navigate the professional world and make the most of the opportunities afforded to them?

To help share their industry knowledge and experience and support young professionals aspiring to become the next future leaders, The GPCA Youth Council have carefully shaped the podcast’s agenda to cover:

• Useful tips and career advice for professionals in the chemical and petrochemical industry 
• Examples and learnings from the podcast guests’ experience
• Networking tactics and building effective work relationships
• Conflict management and resolution 
• Recommended activities/ projects to get involved in, in order to build important relationships

Guest:

Dr. Nairouz Bader Chief Executive Officer Envision Partnership 

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Arne GastSenior PartnerMcKinsey & Company

Host:

Lama Al-OtaibiLearning and Development SpecialistEQUATE Petrochemical Company

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

In the second episode of the GPCA Value Navigation series, our guests unpack a variety of topics, but with the central key theme of “value-based outcomes” for mandatory accountability; defining the action space and pushing minimum requirements. The statement “it’s not enough to” sets the stage for individuals and companies to raise the bar and set new competitive advantages.

When something is “enough” it means that it is at a satisfactory level or quantity. The phrase “it’s not enough” is obviously a negative form of that – and it shows that things are not satisfactory.

“It’s not enough” means less than needed/expected.

“It’s not enough” means not meeting expectations or requirements for the minimum of what is necessary to fulfill any specific desire/request/or need.

It's easier to explain quantifiably than qualitatively.

In this episode, we host a range of global experts that intellectually joust on a range of multi facet business decisions, choices, and trade-offs petrochemical industry leaders face today. Furthermore, the series, will push to identify levers, (inputs, and outputs) for measurement consideration, and realization of value creation.

Guest:

• Maryam Telmesani is the Chair of Global Compact Network Saudi Arabia CSO - MBL
• Dr Bo Bai is the Executive Chairman and Co-founder of MetaVerse Green Exchange (MVGX)
• Bandar A. Al Blehed is the Head of Client Relations Development at Saudi Stock Exchange
• (Tadawul)
• Bhairav Raja is the Director at DAI’s Sustainable Business Group
• James Brimm is the Advisor to the CEO of SIPCHEM
• Kirk-Dale McDowall-Rose is the Co-founder and Managing Director of Boonio 
• Keith Hutton is the Legal and Compliance Advisor to SIPCHEM

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

The plastic waste challenge is a pressing issue which is in no small part driven by a knowledge gap in the public and the misconception that plastic — and not people — are to blame.

New technologies are emerging to increase the circularity of plastic products, while optimizing their efficiency and reducing their environmental impact.

To help close the knowledge gap and educate the public about the different aspects surrounding plastic and plastic waste, this podcast will explore perspectives such as:

• The image of plastics among the public
• Common applications and industries which use plastic
• The sustainability of plastics vs. alternative materials
• State of recycling in the GCC vs. globally
• Lessons learned from managing plastic waste 

Podcast Facilitators/ Participants

1. Naser Aldousari - President and CEO, EQUATE Group

2. Yasmine Berbir - Head of Sustainabillity MENA, Nestlé

3. Abdullah Aloufi - Petrorabigh Member of the Sustainability Youth Sub-Council

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

GPCA is pleased to present a special series dedicated to value navigation in line with its mission to deliver the very latest trends and topics to its members and wider network partners.

The series will attempt to deliver valuable perspectives and understandings that come from application, and execution. It will also look to provide insights, with concise and compelling findings that allow thought leadership, networking and advocacy to:

• Provide a high-resolution lens in consideration of contemporary issues
• Implications on current and future business models
• What actions, trade offs, and risks can be considered
• Meaningful, information and intelligence exchange
• Exciting, motivating and thought-provoking journeys in value navigation  

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Overview: Episode #1 

The first episode focuses on petrochemical players and what are the unique strengths, challenges, threats, and opportunities related to sustainability and carbon mitigation in the short and long term. The podcast explores perspectives such as:

•What are critical path actions which need focus for strategy development and execution in carbon mitigation

•Investment perspective: The role of carbon as an asset in the petrochemical sector

•Insight into other sectors and activities

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Podcast Facilitators/ Participants

1. James Brimm is an advisor to the CEO of SIPCHEM
2. Thomas McMahon is the CEO and Co-Founder of AirCarbonExchange (ACX)
3. Kirk-Dale McDowall-Rose is co-founder and Managing Director of Boonio
4. Keith Hutton is a Legal and Compliance advisor to SIPCHEM  

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

ESG is continuously growing which indicates how important it is becoming, creating consumer trust and developing positive relationships with investors. It is an essential aspect that companies are utilizing to gain a competitive advantage. 

This podcast will seek the views of two esteemed industry leaders about the impact of the ESG agenda on chemical supply chains in the region; some of the key initiatives and projects contributing to supply chain sustainability today; what progress has been made over the years; and how the GCC region benchmarks against the West and the rest of the world. It will also shed light on GPCA member companies’ experience in driving the sustainability agenda across the chemical supply chains at their firms, and challenge companies to move from ‘talking the talk’ to ‘walking the walk’.

Guest:

1. Badr Al-Johani

Sustainability Manager

Sadara Chemical Company

2. Peer Kröner

Director GLOBE Logistics

Host: Mohamed Zaman 

Committees Affairs Specialist, GPCA

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

Sergey Komyshan, Executive Director for Marketing and Sales, Sibur, the largest integrated petrochemicals company in Russia, joined GPCA TV and Podcast at the Annual GPCA Forum in Dubai to share more about the company’s plans for the future, its presence in the region and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the petrochemical industry in the country. Key highlights from his interview include:

• Key takeaways from some of the Annual GPCA Forum
• Sibur presence and investments in the GCC
• The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the petrochemical industry
• How was Sibur affected by the pandemic?
• Challenges the company faced in Russia as well as in its global operations and how it overcame those
• New investments and partnerships in the Arabian Gulf region, strategy and future plans
• The state of the petrochemicals industry globally; the key trends and challenges that Sibur is going to be looking out for next year

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

Eng. Sami I. Sarhan, Head, Industry Innovation Engagement, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), joined the GPCA TV and Podcast at the Annual GPCA Forum in Dubai where he shared his perspective on

• The role of industry-academia collaboration in helping to support innovation in the GCC region and advance socio-economic development
• The KAUST Industry Collaboration Program (KICP), some of its key objectives and the benefits of being part of the program
• Key enablers to help drive Saudi Vision 2030
• Gaps in the SME ecosystems related to R&D, innovation, and technology adaption
• The role of SMEs in supporting the industrial ecosystem in the region and economic growth
• The importance of SME training to build a robust SME ecosystem in Saudi Arabia

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

Dietmar Siersdorfer, Managing Director, Siemens Energy Middle East and UAE, and speaker at the 15th Annual GPCA Forum, joined the GPCA TV and podcast to share his thoughts on the hydrogen revolution in the region. The form was held in Dubai on 7 – 9 December under the theme ‘Redefine. Reshape. Reinvent. The Chemical Industry in a Post-Pandemic Reality’.

In an insightful interview, Siersdorfer shared his expert view on opportunities to leverage the Arabian Gulf region’s abundant energy reserves to become a leading player in the race towards hydrogen development as well as the challenges and prerequisites needed to help enable this shift. Key interview highlights include:

• Enablers to harness the potential of hydrogen development in the GCC region
• How renewable hydrogen will support the decarbonization of the chemical industry value chains in the region
• Examples from other parts of the world
• The progress of technology for the development of hydrogen on a large, commercial scale
• Key innovations on the market driving hydrogen development forward
• The need for training and upskilling the chemical industry’s workforce/ attracting new talent to prepare for the hydrogen revolution
• Challenges to harnessing the potential of hydrogen production and development in the region, e.g., cost of production

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

Ashraf Al Mamari, Chief – People, Technology & Culture, OQ, delivered an insightful keynote speech at the GPCA Leaders of Tomorrow student seminar at the 15th Annual GPCA Forum held on 7 December in Dubai. He covered important topics such as the opportunities for young professionals to accelerate the development of their career. He was also one of the panellists on a key discussion: ‘How to take advantage of the changing tide to build your career in the new reality’. Speaking to GPCA TV and Podcast, Al Mamari discussed:

• The importance of initiatives such as Leaders of Tomorrow to help nurture and develop local human capital in the Arabian Gulf region
• How the COVID-19 pandemic transformed OQ’s people strategy and vision
• His approach to talent development and fostering the young generation of the country at OQ
• OQ’s talent development programs and initiatives
• Diversity and inclusion policies and programs at OQ and the ESG agenda
• The evolution of trends such as remote working, digitalization and the future of work, and their impact on the petrochemical industry in the GCC region

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