GPCA

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. Beyond direct emissions, the industry faces a significant challenge tackling "Scope 3" emissions. These emissions account for half of its total emissions and include all activities along an organization's value chain or its assets. These emissions are also the most difficult to address. Recent global commitments and ongoing discourse paint a clear picture: embracing sustainability is no longer a choice, but the essential path for the chemical industry's survival and contribution to a cleaner world. This demands innovation and decarbonization within the industry, while it simultaneously develops the very solutions for a greener future. With rising pressure on industries globally to comply with climate abatement targets in the run up to the mid of the century, GPCA has invited two industry experts to address the contentious issues surrounding the climate debate and the speed and scale at which chemical firms can enact change within their own products and operations, while continuing to deliver the vital materials that the world needs. Dr. Shihab Elborai, Partner, Strategy& Middle East, joins Mohamed Zaman, Sr. Committees Affairs Specialist, GPCA for this episode of the GPCA Podcast to address these issues and much more.

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. Patawari opened the interview with a staggering statistic: “The world generates almost 1 million tons plastic waste and less than 10% is recycled. In the next three years this is going to triple,” he tells listeners. In an insightful conversation with the GPCA Podcast host, he covers pertinent topics ranging from: Gemini Corporation’s work in plastic recycling His vision for the circular economy How well is the GCC positioned to make the circular economy a reality? Extended producer responsibility – its benefits and challenges The industry’s role in addressing climate change The role of sustainability and transformation in securing the industry’s future His impressions from this year’s forum 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. In this podcast, Dr. Maughon tells listeners: “You have significant opportunities for growth in this region, opportunity to leverage technologies around feedstocks, and an immense opportunity to invest in the development of talent in the region. But at the same time, you have a global environment where increased regulatory pressure and increased pressure to embrace sustainability exists.” He also discusses: The key challenges for the chemical industry on both a regional and global level The SABIC Decarbonization Roadmap, what it involves and how it plans to achieve it The role of innovation in driving impact on sustainability in the chemical industry The top innovation priorities at SABIC The future of the plastic industry and the role of the World Plastics Council (WPC) in enabling a more sustainable tomorrow His impressions from the forum 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 podcast also covers: The topic of sustainability and TotalEnergies’ commitment to climate action The industry’s progress on the Paris Accord and the feasibility of the 2 degrees target TotalEnergies’ plans for future projects and partnerships in the GCC region Its long-standing partnerships in the region and Qatar, including QAPCO His impressions from the forum 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. Reflecting on the challenges of 2023, Alfani admits the past 12 months were not the most favorable for chemical and petrochemical producers globally, but he remains positive, highlighting some of Versalis’ key achievements, including a recent acquisition and realizing its objectives on advancing sustainability and circularity. He discusses: Key highlights and challenges for the chemical industry and Versalis in 2023 His expectations for 2024, the challenges facing chemical producers in the next 12 months and how they should address them How can the industry scale up for the clean energy transition? What can companies do individually and collectively to enable the transition and be a part of it? Is the industry on track to meet ambitious net-zero targets for 2050? The roadblocks and challenges along the way Opportunities presented by the energy transition to chemical and petrochemical producers and how chemical players can capitalize on them The role of legislation and infrastructure building to ensure clean energy transition is accelerated

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. “As a GCC block, we need to form bilateral agreements with major trading partners, such as the EU, Asia, and America. We also need tax treaties with other countries. Today we have very few tax treaties. Such agreements will make our industry more competitive,” he tells the GPCA podcast host. As part of the interview, he also goes on to discuss: The GCC’s role as a valuable trading partner in the global chemical industry The opportunities ahead to expand the region’s exports of chemicals and petrochemicals What regulations are required to enable the region’s trade growth The role of chemical industry in the modernization of the WTO What particular changes he’d like to see in the future Plans and priorities for the GPCA International Trade Committee in 2024 For more podcasts and the latest insights on the regional chemical markets, visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

The GPCA Podcast features an exclusive interview with Tom Crotty, Group Director, Ineos. Speaking to Dima Horani, Head of Marcom and Membership, GPCA, on the sidelines of the 17th Annual GPCA Forum, Crotty said: “Short term, 2024 is going to be a very tough year for the industry. Longer term, with the opportunities presented by the energy transition, I am very optimistic.” In his extensive interview, he discusses: Ineos’ experience in driving organic and inorganic growth, the challenges and pitfalls Ineos’ joint venture project to produce ABS with SINOPEC in China The importance of the Chinese market and how Ineos navigates the specifics and challenges associated with it The opportunities for chemical producers in green hydrogen His forecast for the economic situation in 2024 The role of chemistry and innovation in driving impact on climate change For more podcasts and the latest insights on the regional chemical markets, visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

The youth of today and tomorrow will increasingly be faced with new and evolving challenges, including continued environmental disasters, unpredictable global events, business volatility, conflict, geopolitical tension, rising poverty, pandemics and food insecurity globally, to name a few. The future of our industry and planet will rest on their ability to lead the world with confidence and successfully navigate the challenges coming their way. Equipping them with the right skills for a future fraught with obstacles, and passing on the knowledge, tools and expertise to develop self-leadership will be central to empowering our youth and shape a more successful tomorrow. In this episode of the GPCA Podcast, led by the GPCA Youth Council, Ian Wainwright, Leadership Development Specialist, Saudi Aramco and Maryam Al-Mansoori, Chief Support Officer, Barzan Holdings — in conversation with Sara Soleja, GPCA Youth Council Sub-committee Chair and Project Engineer, Saudi Aramco – discuss what self-leadership is, why it’s important in today's world, and how young professionals can develop the self-leadership skills to succeed in the industry and make a positive impact on their career. Together they’ll address: How can self-leadership be applied in both personal and professional contexts? What are some of the practical tools that individuals can use to practice self-leadership? What are some effective strategies for maintaining self-leadership over the long term? How can individuals measure their progress, and what are some key indicators of success? How can self-leadership contribute to greater resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity? For more podcasts and the latest insights on the regional chemical markets, visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

The plastics recycling opportunity in the Arabian Gulf region is vast and largely untapped. GPCA estimates that approximately 10 million tons of plastic waste is generated in the GCC each year, but only a modest 10% of plastic and metal waste is recycled, reused, or recovered on average. The GCC is currently among the least affected regions by plastic pollution in the world and with low levels of municipal plastic waste volume. Nevertheless, the region is home to significant hydrocarbon reserves and is a major producer and exporter of petrochemicals, which are used to produce plastic. As such, the GCC countries have a responsibility to take action to address the negative impact of plastic waste and pollution, both domestically and globally. In this episode of the GPCA Podcast, discussing the challenges and opportunities within the plastics waste recycling market and the way forward to transforming the regional take-make-dispose approach into a closed-loop circular model will be Priya Sarma, Chairperson of the newly established Circular Packaging Association (CPA) and Head of Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Unilever Middle East and Khalid Moqbil Algarawi Commercial Director from SIRC. Together they will address some of these pressing issues including: The size of plastic waste in the region and the value it can unlock The barriers and enablers to achieve a circular economy The potential of EPR for the GCC region The role of PPPs and collaboration Join us for this thought provoking episode to gain a new perspective on how the region can successfully unlock the value of plastic waste and adopt a circular economy. Guest: Priya Sarma, Chairperson, CPA | Head of Sustainability & Corporate Affairs, Unilever Middle East Khalid Algarawi, Commercial Executive Director, SIRC Host: Dalal Alhooli, GPCA Youth Council Business Monitoring & Planning Analyst, Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC)

The GPCA Youth Council is delighted to present another episode of the GPCA Podcast which will focus on the Net Zero Carbon Economy. You will hear from industry experts on how to achieve a net zero carbon economy; are the 2050 and 2060 regional targets achievable; and what role does the industry play in the journey to net zero? Most of the global reductions in CO2 emissions through 2030 in our pathway come from technologies readily available today. But in 2050, almost half the reductions come from technologies that are currently at the demonstration or prototype phase. In its recent analysis McKinsey suggests that under the NGFS Net Zero 2050 scenario, changes in policies, technologies, and consumer and investor preferences would lead to considerable shifts in demand for various goods and services. By 2050, oil and gas production volumes would be 55% and 70% lower, respectively, than they are today. Coal production for energy use would nearly end by 2050. So, what does this mean for the regional industry, and what is the chemical industry’s share of GHG emissions? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the latest episode of the GPCA Podcast delivered by the GPCA Youth Council. Guest: Mais Haddadin Finn, Principal | Global Sustainability Lead, NEXANT Energy Chemicals Advisory Mohammed Al-Zahrani, Manager, Sustainability Manufacturin, SIPCHEM Host: Mariam AlJarrah, Sourcing Specialist Procurement Department EQUATE Petrochemical Company 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 another episode of the GPCA Podcast which will focus on the Net Zero Carbon Economy. You will hear from industry experts on how to achieve a net zero carbon economy; are the 2050 and 2060 regional targets achievable; and what role does the industry play in the journey to net zero? Most of the global reductions in CO2 emissions through 2030 in our pathway come from technologies readily available today. But in 2050, almost half the reductions come from technologies that are currently at the demonstration or prototype phase. In its recent analysis McKinsey suggests that under the NGFS Net Zero 2050 scenario, changes in policies, technologies, and consumer and investor preferences would lead to considerable shifts in demand for various goods and services. By 2050, oil and gas production volumes would be 55% and 70% lower, respectively, than they are today. Coal production for energy use would nearly end by 2050. So, what does this mean for the regional industry, and what is the chemical industry’s share of GHG emissions? Find out the answers to these questions and more in the latest episode of the GPCA Podcast delivered by the GPCA Youth Council. Guest: Mais Haddadin Finn, Principal | Global Sustainability Lead, NEXANT Energy Chemicals Advisory Mohammed Al-Zahrani, Manager, Sustainability Manufacturin, SIPCHEM Host: Mariam AlJarrah, Sourcing Specialist Procurement Department EQUATE Petrochemical Company For more podcasts and the latest i nsights on the regional chemical markets, visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

This podcast is proudly presented by the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association, the voice of the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf. Each episode will provide you with exclusive insights on the latest industry trends, and stimulate conversations, featuring industry leaders and experts from the region and the world.

Mohammed Al-Akil, Sr. Analyst, Strategy and Disclosures, SABIC, and Chairman, GPCA Youth Council spoke with James Brimm, Executive Advisor, SIPCHEM, in a special episode of the GPCA TV and Podcast during the Annual GPCA Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He discussed next year’s plans and milestones by GPCA Youth Council and provided further updates into the Council’s projects and mission. This episode also covers: Vision and mission of the GPCA Youth Council, what are its mission and objectives? Key achievement since inception, personal aspirations and plans for 2023 The role of the youth in the region in advancing the sustainable development of the industry The role of GPCA as a platform to support the youth’s objectives and development For more podcasts and the latest insights on the regional chemical markets, visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

Hilal Al Kharusi, Chief Executive, Commercial & Downstream, OQ, 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 sustainability, alternative energy, and the latest OQ’s projects and initiatives. This episode also covers: The impact of the energy transition on the petrochemical sector How is OQ responding to disruptions? OQ’s plans to develop alternative energy and its green fuels mega project Industries and markets driving demand for blue and green hydrogen The chemical and petrochemical industry’s decarbonization drive OQ’s latest initiatives and projects For more podcasts and the latest insights on the regional chemical markets, visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

Abdulrahman Shamsaddin, CEO, SABIC Agri-Nutrients, spoke with James Brimm, Executive Advisor, SIPCHEM, in a special episode of the GPCA TV and Podcast during the Annual GPCA Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He discussed the role of agri-nutient in addressing global food security and the enablers contributing to a more competitive industry in the region. This episode also covers: Achieving food security by 2030 and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals Challenges in the agri-nutrient industry The role of agri-nutrients in growing food production The role of collaboration to address global food insecurity Role and responsibilities of individual players and policymakers Can the industry achieve net-zero? For more podcasts and the latest i nsights on the regional chemical markets, visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership

Jacob Duer, President & CEO, Alliance to End Plastic Waste, 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 circular economy, the GPCA Symposium, the Alliance’s collaboration with GPCA and much more. This episode also covers: How far away are we from realizing the circular economy? How can we ensure plastic does not leak into the environment and end up as waste? Country specific and global regulations impacting the transition to a plastic circular economy and recycling What should the industry do in response to regulations? The GPCA Symposium tomorrow The role of collaboration Waste management and recycling infrastructure The recent MoU between the Alliance and GPCA For more podcasts and the latest i nsights on the regional chemical markets, visit www.gpca.org.ae/thought-leadership