Advanced technology needed to boost petrochem production

King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) is keen on developing research and programs that benefit both the community and the national economy, stated Mohammed bin Ibrahim Alsuwaiyel, president of KACST, yesterday,
Alsuwaiyel was speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the 2nd Saudi International Petrochemicals Technologies Conference 2013 in Riyadh.
Prince Turki bin Saud bin Mohammad Al-Saud, vice president of Research Institutes at KACST; Muhammed Al-Mady, SABIC vice chairman and chief executive officer; and Hamid Al-Megren, director of Petrochemicals Research Institute and chairman of scientific committee of the symposium, attended the event.
The KACST president said the main focus of the conference is to promote and support the Kingdom’s economic, social and developmental interests through localizing selected strategic and advanced technologies in the petrochemicals field.
Saudi Arabia is the largest oil producer in the world. Experts say that the Kingdom will produce ethylene, the most important basic petrochemical, at a capacity of greater than 18 million tons this year.
The Kingdom is also among the largest producers of polymers in the world at annual production of greater than 8 million tons.
Alsuwaiyel said it is important for economic prosperity of Saudi Arabia to export not only primary petrochemicals but also to produce value-added products from basic petrochemicals with innovative technologies.
“The conference will review the Kingdom’s potential to develop local capacity in the field of petrochemical technologies as well as in the economic and social sectors. We have an abundance of raw materials such as oil, natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas to support these ventures,” he said.
Tackling the issue of remaining competitive in the rapidly changing world, Al-Mady said that the producers of petrochemicals in the GCC countries were able to overcome many challenges in the past. He also said the advantage of prices in raw materials would not make a difference unless quality products are manufactured in the future.
KACST operates the Kingdom’s main research and development laboratories. It plays a key role in science and technology policy making, related data collection, funding of external research and other related services such as scientific publishing and managing the patent office.
The university’s major responsibilities include proposing a national policy for the development of science and technology and relevant strategies; supporting scientific research and technology development; conducting applied research advising government; fostering national innovation and technology transfer between research institutes and the industry; and fostering international cooperation in science and technology.