DOHA: Qatar Petrochemical Company (Qapco) organised its first Research and Development Forum, bringing together experts and researchers from local universities and research centres.
The event brought together representatives from Texas A&M University at Qatar (Tamuq), Qatar University (QU), Qatar Environment & Energy Research Institute (QEERI) and the College of the North Atlantic (CNA-Q).
Qapcos's Vice-Chairman and CEO, Dr Mohammed Al Mulla said: "Thanks to the wise leadership of the state, Qatar is establishing itself as an internationally recognised research hub by attracting high level academics and researchers, developing vibrant research centres and incubators, by developing homegrown fundamental and applied research and encouraging strong collaboration between the industry and academia."
"It is our role at Qapco to contribute to the progress and advancement of research, by partnering, supporting and collaborating with universities and research institutes in the fields of engineering and chemistry. Research is the cornerstone of technological advancement and scientific innovation," he added.
Qapco produces low-density polyethylene (LDPE), the most commonly used type of plastic, with applications such as food packaging, green house films, containers, wires and cables amongst many others.
For the past years, Qapco has developed its research and development strategy, which includes collaboration with academic centres in the field of petrochemicals, such as the establishment of the Polymer Chair at Qatar University or the Chair of Polymer Science and Engineering at Tamuq.
Dr Mohammed Al Mulla said: "Strengthening our ties with research institutes is crucial. We believe that some of our joint findings cannot only add value to our products and processes, but they can also benefit the plastic industry as a whole, on a global level. Some of the joint research developed between Qapco and its partners has already been published in internationally recognised scientific journals."
During the Forum, Qatar University presented projects developed with Qapco, like the use of Polyolefin based materials in green building and their energy saving applications.
Youssef Rebeeh, COO of Qapco, said: "Sustainability is our priority and embedded in our strategy, from our daily operations to our end products. Focusing on sustainability oriented R&D is a must for us. We are contributing to developing products, technologies and applications that will make our daily lives more sustainable, for the benefits of the generations to come. Plastic in general and its applications have many features that can be even further developed and can contribute, via practical applications, to a greener more sustainable world."
QU and Qapco are also working together on a project to use locally produced polymers to develop novel polymer nano-composite. This project is funded by Qatar Foundation's National Priorities Research Program (NPRP).
Furthermore, Qapco is collaborating with Texas A&M at Qatar and Texas A&M College Station (USA) on Polyolefin research and active in Qatar Foundation's National Priorities Research Program, especially in the areas of Material Science and Energy and Environmental research.
© The Peninsula 2013
