- Saudi Aramco, Honeywell, and KAUST collaborate to develop next-generation Crude-to-Chemicals (CTC) technology
- The process converts crude oil directly into high-demand chemicals, reducing costs and improving energy efficiency
- The initiative supports economic diversification, enhances research capabilities
Saudi Aramco, Honeywell, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) and are willing to develop the next-generation direct Crude-to-Chemicals technology.
The Aramco Honeywell KAUST partnership aims to advance crude-to-chemicals technology and drive innovation in the petrochemical sector.
An effort to develop and commercially scale-up technology to directly convert crude oil to light olefins, and other high value chemicals with high-value recovery and low capital, and operating costs.
This Aramco chemicals pact and Honeywell KAUST collaboration focuses on crude oil to chemicals innovation, supporting energy technology Saudi and Vision 2030 goals.
This is in line with Saudi Arabia Vision 2030 to diversify the economy, build national research and technology capabilities, and enhance the Kingdom's petrochemicals industry.
Ali A Al-Meshari, Senior Vice-President of Technology Oversight & Coordination, Aramco stated, "This collaboration with Honeywell UOP and KAUST furthers Aramco's efforts to drive innovation and shape the future of petrochemicals".
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The project, while pushing forward the CTC route, should improve process economics, become more energy-efficient, and reduce emissions.
As Honeywell UOP president Rajesh Gattupalli stated, it was imperative that this collaboration extract greater value from Saudi Arabia's resources while incorporating sustainable industrial practices.
Ian Campbell, Senior Vice-President of the National Transformation Institute at KAUST, further explained that such collaborations between academicians and industry tend to speed up technology development for the innovation-driven economy of the Kingdom.
The JDA builds on the combined strengths of the partners: Aramco-employed industrial know-how, Honeywell-design catalytic process know-how, and research excellence from KAUST.
The joint development will bring transition efforts in the CTC process out of the laboratory and into commercial deployment, thus marking a major step from the front seat in next-generation petrochemical technology.