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GPCA AGRI-NUTRIENTS CONFERENCE PARTNERSHIP
‘GCC industry must balance agri-nutrient production Covestro and Chinese EV maker join hands to develop

with sustainability’ futuristic mobility solutions and sustainable automotive

The agri-nutrients industry in the materials
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) must German materials manufacturer ing into automotive lighting, functional in-
balance the dual objective of meeting Covestro has entered into a Memoran- terior and exterior parts, and smart system
growing demand for food globally, dum of Understanding (MoU) with components. The two sides also agreed to
while contributing to sustainability, Li Auto, a leading Chinese electric vehicle explore innovative processes and business
lowering emissions and advancing (EV) maker, to cooperate in developing models for using recycled lighting materi-
its net-zero objectives by 2050, cutting-edge material solutions for future- als in new automotive parts together with
according to speakers at the 14th oriented applications while enhancing value chain partners.
Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals circularity and reducing carbon emissions
Association (GPCA) Agri-Nutrients across the automotive value chain. Under the joint platform, the two sides
Conference, which was held recently also seek to deepen their collaboration in
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The conference “We are excited to partner with Li developing lighting, smart systems, and
was held under the theme “Agri-innova- Auto and support their pursuit of intelli- thermal management solutions. This will
tion: Powering a food-secure & climate- “Alternatively, we can develop eco- A leadership dialogue featuring gence and electrifi cation in automobiles,” include high-performance optical-grade
smart planet”. nomical ways to capture the carbon Mr. Fahad Al-Battar, CEO, SABIC said Mr. Guido Naberfeld, Senior Vice more circular economy,” he added. Under materials, smart surface technologies and
dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil- Agri-Nutrients; Dr. Ahmed Al-Marhoubi, President, Head of Sales and Market the MoU, Covestro and Li Auto will estab- thermally conductive solutions.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Fahad fuel-based ammonia production. And CEO, OMIFCO; and Mr. Hassan Development Mobility at Covestro, during lish a “Joint Innovation Platform” to drive
Al-Battar, CEO, SABIC Agri-Nutri- if we want to get rid of the emissions Al-Ali, EVP, Phosphate BU, Ma’aden, the MoU signing event at Covestro’s pro- the development and application of more During the event, the two parties also
ents, said that one of the ways the in- entirely, then we must steer innovation offered delegates a regional perspective duction site in Shanghai. “By leveraging sustainable engineering plastics with alter- unveiled two jointly-developed light-dif-
dustry can signifi cantly contribute to so that it comes up with economical on the impact of energy transition on our expertise in engineering plastics and native feedstocks, such as bio-waste and fusing and infrared-transparent Makrolon
the mitigation of climate change is by ways to produce ammonia with renew- agri-nutrient businesses. circular solutions, we aim to enable inno- recycled sources, across various automo- polycarbonates. The light-diffusing poly-
not only reducing but also replacing able electricity,” he added. vative future-oriented mobility solutions tive components. Key initiatives will in- carbonate allows for a more refi ned and
energy. While coal provides the energy In a special keynote address, and reshape automotive material cycles, volve integrating materials attributed with evenly-distributed illumination effect for
in about one-quarter of the world’s pro- In his address, Mr. Abdulrahman Dr. Edwini Kessie, Director of the driving the industry towards a smarter and bio-circular content through mass balanc- smart headlights.
duction of ammonia, natural gas can do Al-Suwaidi, CEO, QAFCO, highlighted Agriculture and Commodities Division,
the same job with almost 60% fewer the common goal that unites the indus- World Trade Organization (WTO), LOW-CARBON LIFESTYLE
emissions, he informed. try – “to advance the sustainability of discussed the global trade in agri-food SCG Chemicals helps Kao introduce shampoo
our agri-nutrient practices and to foster products and the role of WTO in ensuring
innovation”. removal of trade barriers. in sustainable recycled packaging

“Our mission is not only to enhance Mr. Yasser Alabbasi, CEO, GPIC; Thailand’s SCG Chemicals (SCGC) that Kao introduced in Thailand, evolving
agricultural productivity but also to en- Mr. Nicolas Denis of McKinsey Center has partnered with the Thai subsidiary from the original powdered sachet form
sure that our practices are environmen- for Agriculture Transformation and of Japanese chemicals and personal care to its current format. Mr. Yuji Shimizu,
tally responsible and economically via- Food Security, McKinsey & Company; fi rm, Kao, to develop sustainable recy- President of Kao Industrial (Thailand),
ble,” he said, adding that sustainability Mr. Mohammed bin Battal, President, Dry cled packaging for its ‘Feather’ brand said. “In addition to continuously deve-
in agriculture inevitably requires a dual Bulk, Bahri; and Mr. Adriaan de Lange, of hair care products. “This collabora- loping its formulas, Kao has also been
focus on effi ciency and environmental Group CEO, Meridian (Ma’aden Africa tion aims to signifi cantly reduce green- committed to advancing its packaging to
stewardship. distribution) also spoke at the conference. house gas emissions and contribute to a meet environmental needs. In 2024, Kao
low-carbon society while maintaining technology. The packaging is designed to revamped its packaging by collaborating
In her keynote address, Dr. Tarifa GPCA also hosted a workshop on the quality of the product and ensuring have a low carbon footprint and is 100% with SCGC to develop sustainable bottles
Alzaabi, Director General, International “Operational excellence in the GCC consumer convenience,” Kao Industrial recyclable, adhering to circular economy for the ‘Feather’ hair care products. By
Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), agri-nutrient industry” as well as the 3rd (Thailand) Co. Ltd. said in a press note principles to maximise resource effi ciency, choosing high quality PCR HDPE resin,
provided insights into the opportunities GPCA Innovation Competition, which The packaging is made from recycled said Mr. Sakchai Patiparnpreechavud, we are giving new life to used plastic,
to nourish our planet, while powering the uncovered innovative projects and ideas plastic resin, ‘SCGC Green Polymer’, CEO & President of SCG Chemicals transforming it into valuable materials
future with sustainable agri-nutrients. from university students. utilising SCGC’s advanced recycling (SCGC). “Feather was the fi rst product once again,” he added.

158 Chemical Weekly September 24, 2024 Chemical Weekly September 24, 2024 159

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