17 March 2015
Kuwait - EQUATE Petrochemical Company, Kuwait's first international joint-venture in this industry, sponsored the Second Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemical Association (GPCA) Research & Innovation Summit.

As part of its participation in the summit, EQUATE sponsored a number of students from the College of Engineering & Petroleum at Kuwait University to attend the summit and interact with other delegates.

EQUATE President & CEO Mohammad Husain, who is also a member of GPCA Board, said, "Innovation is a key element to guarantee holistic sustainability in all fields, such as industrial, economic, scientific and others. That also includes the petrochemical industry, which plays a critical and significant role in providing various products for the daily lives of human beings. Innovation aimed at development needs modern research, as well as understanding different challenges, needs and available technological tools. All these matters require cooperation and coordination between all stakeholders, including industrial, academic and technological organizations. Therefore, this partnership between EQUATE, GPCA and Kuwait University is a prime example of our slogan 'Partners in Success'."

On his part, EQUATE Research & Development (R&D) Leader Arif Al-Qattan said, "As part of its sustainability-based innovation strategy, the Company developed the attributes of a grade of Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE). Such an improvement of this grade has enhanced its clarity and reduced the blocking properties of plastics manufactured using this grade. The applications of this modified grade, developed by EQUATE in cooperation with a number of plastic manufacturers, include bags for vegetables, fruits and bakery, as well as reducing the cost of manufacturing such bags. In appreciation of its research and innovation efforts, EQUATE received the GPCA Plastics Excellence Award 2015 for the category of Excellence in Plastic Products & Processes."

With the attendance of several representatives of various industrial, governmental, academic and technological bodies from around the world, the Second GPCA Research & Innovation Summit is held during March 16th to 18th in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

-Ends-

About EQUATE Petrochemical Company
Established in 1995, EQUATE Petrochemical Company is an international joint venture between Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC). Commencing production in 1997, EQUATE is the single operator of a fully integrated world-scale manufacturing facility producing over 5 million tons annually of high-quality petrochemical products which are marketed throughout the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe. www.equate.com. 

With EQUATE as one of its founding members, the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) represents the downstream hydrocarbon industry in the Arabian Gulf. Established in 2006, the association voices the common interests of more than 240 member companies from the chemical and allied industries, accounting for over 95% of chemical output in the Gulf region. The industry makes up the second largest manufacturing sector in the region, producing up to US$102billion worth of products a year. www.gpca.org.ae. 

Contact:
Ali Y. Al-Hamad
T:  (+965) 2576-5661 
M: (+965) 9722-8611
E:   alhamaay@equate.com

Silvana Tiab
T:  (+965) 2225-8719
M: (+965) 6600-4311
E: silvana.tiab@ogilvy.com

© Press Release 2015