The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) is gearing up for its eighth Research and Innovation Conference, which will take place on September 16-17, 2026, at Le Meridien Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia. This pivotal event marks the first time the conference is being hosted in the Kingdom, aiming to foster collaboration among industry stakeholders, governmental agencies, and academic institutions. The primary theme for this year’s conference is “Innovation that Delivers: Empowering Research and Talent for Tomorrow,” focusing on strategies for enhancing innovation, nurturing future-ready talent, and leveraging emerging technologies within the chemical sector.
Conference Highlights
The opening day will kick off with a keynote address from Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, who serves as the Executive Vice President for Technology and Innovation at Aramco. This will be followed by a ministerial address from Dr. Majid Algwaiz, Deputy Minister for Development and Project Management at the Saudi Ministry of Energy. Dr. Waleed Al-Shalfan, Vice President for Corporate Sustainability at SABIC and Chair of GPCA’s Research and Innovation Committee, will also deliver the welcome speech. Exclusive insights into fostering purposeful innovation will be shared by Dr. Thorsten Loehl, Vice President for Science and Engineering at Borouge International.
A key session led by Mahdi Aladel, CEO of Aramco Ventures, will focus on creating an innovation playbook tailored for the chemical future of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Additionally, a strategic panel discussion involving experts from KACST, TASNEE, and Sipchem will explore actionable methods for translating research into tangible industrial outcomes. The day’s events will culminate in a leadership dialogue that emphasizes cross-sector collaboration involving delegates from the Ministry of Energy, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and SABIC, underscoring the importance of partnerships in accelerating innovation within the sector.
Day Two Insights
The second day of the conference will delve into the technology, strategies, and intellectual resources poised to shape the future landscape of chemical innovation. A prominent keynote will be delivered by Dr. Alexandra Zakharova, Partner and KSA Chemicals Leader at McKinsey & Company, titled “Roadmap to the Future of Chemical Innovation: Lessons from Global Leaders.” This keynote aims to provide valuable insights into successful innovation practices from around the world.
Following this, a strategic panel will assess how cutting-edge computing technologies and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing scientific inquiry. Mater Aldhafeeri, Secretary General of GPCA, expressed the importance of gathering expertise from various realms—research, technology, academia, and the industry—to expedite the transformation of the GCC’s chemical and petrochemical sectors. Aldhafeeri affirmed the significance of this conference as a platform for dialogue among regional thought leaders, designed to facilitate the exchange of ideas and foster strategic alliances that will shape the future of the industry.
With a focus on promoting collaboration and innovation, this year’s conference promises to be a pivotal event in steering the chemical sector towards more sustainable and innovative practices, while empowering the next generation of talent in the field. By bridging the gaps between research and industry, GPCA seeks to ensure that the regional chemical industry is well-prepared to meet upcoming challenges and seize opportunities for growth.