Latest news with #petrochemicals
Khaleej Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: Borouge and Honeywell to build petrochemical industry's first AI-driven control room
Borouge Plc, a leading petrochemicals company, is collaborating with Honeywell to conduct a proof of concept for AI-powered autonomous operations, which has the potential to revolutionise Borouge's UAE plant operations. The collaboration between Borouge and Honeywell is set to deliver the petrochemical industry's first AI-driven control room designed for full-scale, real-time operation, establishing a new standard for the future of AI in petrochemicals. The project is a key component of Borouge's companywide AIDT programme, which is projected to generate $575 million in value this year. In 2024, Borouge's diverse portfolio of over 200 AIDT initiatives — spanning operations, health and safety, sales, sustainability, and product innovation — generated $573 million in value. The initiative aims to deploy the proof-of-concept technologies to enhance Borouge's operations across its Ruwais facilities in the UAE. Autonomous operations will enable Borouge to optimise production, reduce energy use, and enhance safety while reducing costs at what will be the single largest petrochemical site in the world. Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, chief executive officer of Borouge, said: 'Borouge's AI, Digitalisation, and Technology (AIDT) transformation programme is setting new standards in operations, innovation and business performance. By collaborating with global AI leaders such as Honeywell, we are accelerating growth, driving efficiency, and enhancing shareholder value. This project further strengthens Borouge's competitive edge as we continue to deliver on our ambitious AIDT roadmap.' As part of the collaboration agreement, both companies will bring their expertise in process technology and autonomous control capabilities to identify new opportunities to deploy Agentic AI solutions and advanced machine learning algorithms. George Bou Mitri, president of Honeywell Industrial Automation, Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Central Asia, said: 'Our collaboration with Borouge is a clear example of how joint efforts can accelerate innovation across industry. By integrating AI and automation technologies into core operations, we are helping unlock new levels of efficiency, safety, and performance. This agreement shows how advanced technologies, applied with purpose, can reshape industrial operations at scale.'
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Sabic confirms closure of Teesside chemical plant with jobs to go
Hundreds of workers could lose their jobs after the manufacturing and chemicals giant Sabic announced the closure of its site in north-east Saudi Arabian firm, one of the world's largest petrochemical manufacturers, will shut its Olefins 6 cracker plant in Wilton, Teesside, after 46 years of it exact number of job losses is not yet known but the firm currently employs 330 people at the said its decision was the result of a "thorough analysis aimed at optimising competitiveness", but Unite said the news was a "disgrace" from a profitable company. The firm made a net profit of almost £300m last year but last month it was reported that Sabic could be looking to sell its European petrochemicals business amid high energy Teeside Olefins 6 cracker facility produces the raw material ethylene to make building blocks for a variety of company produces chemicals, fertilisers, plastics and metals at its plant in Wilton, near Redcar, but also has storage and logistics facilities in North Tees and Teesport. 'Devastating blow' Its Olefins 6 facility had been offline since the end of 2020 and was due to be converted to run entirely on gas feedstocks. Unite said its members had been paid to keep the plant safe and ready to come back online for future Graham, Unite general secretary, said: "It is a disgrace that valued workers are being threatened with redundancy by a profitable company."Fazia Hussain-Brown, Unite regional officer, said the potential loss of so many jobs was a "devastating blow".She said there were "few options" for alternative employment for the workers which had "understandably" caused "a lot of anger". 'Support our employees' Consultations are expected to begin on 1 said the decision to shut the plant was also down to ensuring "the company [remained] agile and resilient in an evolving global landscape".They told the BBC: "Sabic is committed to carrying out a meaningful collective consultation with employee representatives and a fair redundancy process consistent with applicable legal requirements, as well as implementing other support measures aimed at minimising the impact on employees. "The company's priority is to support our employees during this difficult time and to remain focused on the safe, compliant, and reliable operation of its remaining assets on Teesside."They confirmed the LDPE plant operations in Teesside would continue to operate normally. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Arabian Business
3 days ago
- Business
- Arabian Business
Borouge and Honeywell to build AI-driven control room at Al Ruwais
Borouge, UAE's leading petrochemicals company, is collaborating with Charlotte, NC-based Honeywell to deliver the first AI-driven control room for a petrochemicals company that is designed for full-scale, real-time operation. The two companies will deploy a proof-of-concept technology to enhance Borouge's operations across its Ruwais facilities in the UAE. They will bring their expertise in process technology and autonomous control capabilities to identify new opportunities to deploy Agentic AI solutions and advanced machine learning algorithms. Strategic tech alliance with Honeywell The project is a key part of Borouge's AI, Digitalisation and Technology (AIDT) programme, which is projected to generate US$575 million in value this year. In 2024, the company's diverse portfolio of over 200 AIDT initiatives – spanning operations, health and safety, sales, sustainability, and product innovation – generated US$573 million in value. Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Borouge, commented: 'Borouge's AI, Digitalisation, and Technology transformation programme is setting new standards in operations, innovation and business performance. By collaborating with global AI leaders such as Honeywell, we are accelerating growth, driving efficiency, and enhancing shareholder value. This project further strengthens Borouge's competitive edge as we continue to deliver on our ambitious AIDT roadmap.' George Bou Mitri, President of Honeywell Industrial Automation in the region, added: 'Our collaboration with Borouge is a clear example of how joint efforts can accelerate innovation across industry. By integrating AI and automation technologies into core operations, we are helping unlock new levels of efficiency, safety, and performance. This agreement shows how advanced technologies, applied with purpose, can reshape industrial operations at scale.' Autonomous operations will enable Borouge to optimise production, reduce energy use, and enhance safety while reducing costs at what will be the single largest petrochemical site in the world. Founded in 1998 through a strategic partnership between ADNOC and Borealis, Borouge operates a polyolefins complex in Al Ruwais Industrial City, which is one of the world's largest integrated polyolefin complexes. ADNOC owns a majority 54 per cent stake in the company.
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Borouge to develop AI-powered autonomous UAE operations to accelerate growth and value creation
Project will deliver petrochemical industry's first AI-driven control room Strategic project is part of Borouge's AI, Digitalisation and Technology (AIDT) programme, targeting $575 million in value generation in 2025 ABU DHABI, UAE – Borouge Plc, a leading petrochemicals company that provides innovative and differentiated polyolefins solutions, is collaborating with Honeywell to conduct a proof of concept for AI-powered autonomous operations, which has the potential to revolutionise Borouge's UAE plant operations. The collaboration between Borouge and Honeywell is set to deliver the petrochemical industry's first AI-driven control room designed for full-scale, real-time operation, establishing a new standard for the future of AI in petrochemicals. Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Borouge, said: 'Borouge's AI, Digitalisation, and Technology (AIDT) transformation programme is setting new standards in operations, innovation and business performance. By collaborating with global AI leaders such as Honeywell, we are accelerating growth, driving efficiency, and enhancing shareholder value. This project further strengthens Borouge's competitive edge as we continue to deliver on our ambitious AIDT roadmap.' As part of the collaboration agreement, both companies will bring their expertise in process technology and autonomous control capabilities to identify new opportunities to deploy Agentic AI solutions and advanced machine learning algorithms. George Bou Mitri, President of Honeywell Industrial Automation, Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Central Asia, said: 'Our collaboration with Borouge is a clear example of how joint efforts can accelerate innovation across industry. By integrating AI and automation technologies into core operations, we are helping unlock new levels of efficiency, safety, and performance. This agreement shows how advanced technologies, applied with purpose, can reshape industrial operations at scale.' The initiative aims to deploy the proof-of-concept technologies to enhance Borouge's operations across its Ruwais facilities in the UAE. Autonomous operations will enable Borouge to optimise production, reduce energy use, and enhance safety while reducing costs at what will be the single largest petrochemical site in the world. The project is a key component of Borouge's companywide AIDT programme, which is projected to generate $575 million in value this year. In 2024, Borouge's diverse portfolio of over 200 AIDT initiatives—spanning operations, health and safety, sales, sustainability, and product innovation—generated $573 million in value. Borouge's AIDT programme and growth plans Transforming the industry Borouge has already revolutionised industry practices through the installation of the world's largest Real-Time Optimisation (RTO) system across three large-scale ethane crackers and 20 furnaces. The initiative analyses over 2,500 parameters per minute, enabling instant data-driven decisions, significantly enhancing productivity, optimising energy consumption and reducing emissions. The unique system minimises ethane dumping and optimises resource use, in line with Borouge's commitment to sustainable growth and operational excellence. Accelerating innovation Borouge has already invested in its state-of-the-art Innovation Centre located in Abu Dhabi and is now using advanced AI-powered tools to accelerate innovation, enabling the company to bring new grades of advanced polymers to market quicker. In collaboration with ADNOC AI Lab, Borouge has completed its first 'Polymer Optimisation' programme, achieving a 97% accuracy, enabling Borouge to reduce its development timeline from months to weeks. Enhancing sales and customer experience To optimise its value chains, Borouge has developed an advanced planning system. The Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) business optimisation solution, generates an end-to-end integrated plan from feedstock to the customer, maximising planning efficiencies across the company's production, packaging, and international logistics network. By incorporating advanced digital modelling and simulation tools, Borouge is also able to compare multiple complex scenarios in real-time to improve supply chains, accelerate product delivery and enhance customer experience. Strengthening ESG and HSE Borouge has a strong ESG track record and AIDT will continue to play an important role in supporting its Net Zero by 2045 commitment. Through AIDT solutions, Borouge is able to continuously optimise real-time data to reduce carbon emissions and identify potential hazards to maintain employee safety. The company is actively upskilling its 2,900+ strong global workforce through its dedicated AI programme, featuring a blend of face to face, virtual and on the job project training. Supporting future growth - commitment to attractive and growing dividend Borouge further outlined its commitment to value creation at the company's 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM), reaffirming the company's commitment to delivering substantial shareholder returns following the proposed formation of Borouge Group International, a $60 billion global polyolefins leader. Borouge Group International, the proposed combination of Borouge and Borealis, and the acquisition of Nova Chemicals, has been designed to deliver consistently strong dividends and significant near-term growth, and will have a production capacity of 13.6 million tonnes – nearly tripling Borouge's current capacity. In 2025 Borouge intends to pay its dividend to at least 16.2 fils per share, which will also serve as the annual dividend per share payout up to 2030 under Borouge Group International. -Ends- About Borouge Plc Borouge Plc, listed on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX symbol: BOROUGE / ISIN AEE01072B225), is a leading petrochemicals company that provides innovative and differentiated polyolefin solutions for the infrastructure, energy, mobility, healthcare, agriculture and advanced packaging industries. Borouge employs more than 2,900 people and serves customers in over 86 countries across Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Founded in 1998 through a strategic partnership between ADNOC and Borealis, Borouge was formed to build and operate a polyolefins complex in Al Ruwais Industrial City, United Arab Emirates, which today is one of the world's largest integrated polyolefin complexes. ADNOC owns a majority 54% stake and Borealis holds a 36% stake in Borouge. To find out more, visit: For further information, please contact: Rehab Ateeq VP, Global Communications Media@ Samar Khan VP, Investor Relations IR@
Zawya
3 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Borouge to develop AI-powered autonomous operations to accelerate growth
ABU DHABI - Borouge Plc has announced its collaboration with Honeywell to conduct a proof of concept for AI-powered autonomous operations, which has the potential to revolutionise plant operations in the UAE. The collaboration between Borouge and Honeywell is set to deliver the petrochemical industry's first AI-driven control room designed for full-scale, real-time operation, establishing a new standard for the future of AI in petrochemicals. Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Borouge, said, 'Borouge's AI, Digitalisation, and Technology (AIDT) transformation programme is setting new standards in operations, innovation and business performance. By collaborating with global AI leaders such as Honeywell, we are accelerating growth, driving efficiency, and enhancing shareholder value. This project further strengthens Borouge's competitive edge as we continue to deliver on our ambitious AIDT roadmap.' As part of the collaboration agreement, both companies will bring their expertise in process technology and autonomous control capabilities to identify new opportunities to deploy Agentic AI solutions and advanced machine learning algorithms. George Bou Mitri, President of Honeywell Industrial Automation, Middle East, Türkiye, Africa, Central Asia, said, 'By integrating AI and automation technologies into core operations, we are helping unlock new levels of efficiency, safety, and performance. This agreement shows how advanced technologies, applied with purpose, can reshape industrial operations at scale.' The initiative aims to deploy the proof-of-concept technologies to enhance Borouge's operations across its Ruwais facilities in the UAE. The project is a key component of Borouge's company-wide AIDT programme, which is projected to generate $575 million in value this year. In 2024, Borouge's diverse portfolio of over 200 AIDT initiatives—spanning operations, health and safety, sales, sustainability, and product innovation—generated $573 million in value.
