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January 24th, 2016
Qatar University (QU) and Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) Q.S.C., one of the leading petrochemical powerhouses in the region, announce the renewal of the QAPCO Polymer Chair at Qatar University.
Based in QU's Center for Advanced Materials (CAM) and chaired by Prof. Igor Krupa, the Chair focuses on research activities revolving around material science and engineering, polyolefins and polymer nanotechnology and involving QAPCO's main product, polyethylene, along with other by-products. In particular, Dr Krupa and his team pursue research on polyolefin processing and advanced characterization. They also work closely with QAPCO R&D team to explore the development of novel applications related to biodegradable plastics and polymer based composite materials.
QU President Dr Hassan Rashid Al Derham highlighted the importance of collaboration between QU and QAPCO, which is a main partner to the university, saying that "the collaboration between both institutions for the renewal of the QAPCO Polymer Chair at QU Center for Advanced Materials will contribute to developing research activities in materials science and engineering, and will ensure the exchange of scientific and practical knowledge between students and researchers. It will also provide faculty and students at QU with the opportunity to develop their abilities and skills in this scientific field, and will encourage the establishment of new research programs which will facilitate research processes in the future."
Commenting on the renewal of the agreement, Dr Mohammed Yousef Al Mulla, QAPCO's MD & CEO, stated, "Polymer research and innovation is a strategic priority for QAPCO because it creates new applications for polyethylene products and stimulates the development of advanced technology, skilled jobs from the laboratory to the classroom. As we advance towards our vision of prosperity through innovation, we leverage our expertise in polymer science to support programs that deliver direct value to Qatar through support of the QNV 2030. Through our effective and prolific collaboration with Qatar University and CAM, our teams advance material science knowledge transfer and education and encourage sustainable, made-in-Qatar ground-breaking discoveries."
In her comments, Prof. Mariam Al-Ali Al-Maadeed, Director of CAM, appreciated QAPCO for the renewed sponsorship of the Polymer Chair which she said has led to the setting up of a number of teaching and research activities focusing on various aspects of material science, engineering and nanotechnology, resulting to many published papers, patent application and projects.
A number of applied research projects have resulted from the QAPCO Polymer Chair and several research papers co-authored by CAM and QAPCO R&D teams have been published in international scientific journals. Patent applications are also being considered as a part of the research collaboration outcome. In particular the development of Polyolefin based plastic heat absorbers for energy management in bioclimatic buildings; and the development of plasma and other surface treatment methods to improve adhesion of polyethylene packaging resins are evidence of the successes of the research collaboration between the two institutions.
QAPCO is always eager to share its passion for engineering and the limitless potential of polymer science to create opportunities in the field of research, education, and manufacturing that directly contribute to Qatar's vision for sustainable development.
The renewal of the QAPCO Polymer Chair at Qatar University further strengthens industry-academia collaboration between QU and QAPCO, and is positioned as a catalyst for value creation through resource optimization. This envisioned research collaboration is set to have a far-reaching impact, in Qatar and beyond.
The event was attended by several representatives from Qatar University, including Dr Darwish Al Emadi- QU Vice President for Research, Dr Mariam Al Ali Al Maadeed, Director of CAM and Dr Igor Krupa - QAPCO Polymer Chair, From QAPCO, Mr. Yousuf Abdulla Rebeeh - COO, Eng Abdulla Ahmed Naji- Learning and Development Manager and Dr Mabrouk Ouederni - Head of R&D were present at the event.
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About Qatar University
Qatar University is one of the leading institutions of academic and research excellence in the GCC region. It provides high quality undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare competent graduates, primed to shape the future of Qatar. The organization's strong relationship with Qatari society is reflected in its community service efforts and in its vibrant research portfolio that addresses relevant local and regional challenges, advances national goals towards a knowledge-based economy, and contributes actively to the needs and aspirations of the society.
About QAPCO
QAPCO is a Qatar-based company established in 1974 and is a joint venture between Industries Qatar (80%) and Total Petrochemicals France (20%). The company is one of the largest producers of low density polyethylene (LDPE) in the region besides producing ethylene, sulphur and other petrochemical products. QAPCO is involved in a number of joint ventures that include QATOFIN, QVC, and QPPC, making QAPCO a regional petrochemical powerhouse. Building on 40 years of operational expertise, QAPCO considers environmental preservation and R&D as key factors in driving the sustainable growth of the industry.
LDPE is considered as the most widely used type of plastic, with innovative applications such as food packaging, agricultural films, cables and wires, and playing a key role in the development of green building solutions. LDPE enriches our everyday life, making it more practical, lighter and better. The LDPE produced by QAPCO is a high quality food-contact safe grade polymer and complies with local, EU and U.S. FDA standards related to food packaging safety.
For more information about this press release,
Email ojanus@qapco.com.qa
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Disclaimer
In this document "company" and "QAPCO" are sometimes used for convenience in reference to Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) Q.S.C.
This document may contain statements concerning the financial condition or extrapolations and future prospects of Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) Q.S.C., results of operations and businesses of QAPCO. All statements other than statements of historical fact are deemed to be future extrapolations statements, being statements of future expectations that are based on current expectations and assumptions, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, operations and business performance or events impacting the company to differ materially from those expressed or as may be inferred from these statements.
There are a number of factors that could affect the realization of these future extrapolations statements such as: (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas, (b) changes in demand or market conditions for the products, (c) loss of market share and industry competition, (d) environmental risks and natural disasters, (e) changes in legislative, fiscal and regulatory conditions, (f) changes in economic and financial market conditions and (g) political risks. As such, results could differ substantially from those stated, or as may be inferred from the forward-looking statements contained herein. All forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are made as of the date of this presentation, as marked on the Cover page.
Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) Q.S.C., its Directors, officers, advisors, contractors and agents shall not be liable in any way for any costs, losses or other detrimental effects resulting or arising from the use of or reliance by any party on any of these extrapolations statement and / or other material contained herein. Qatar Petrochemical Company QSC, its subsidiary, joint ventures and associated companies are further in no way obliged to update or publish revisions to any extrapolation statement or any other material contained herein which may or may not be known to have changed or to be inaccurate as a result of new information, future events or any reason whatsoever. Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) Q.S.C. does not guarantee the accuracy of the historical statements contained herein.
General Notes
Qatar Petrochemical Company's accounting year follows the calendar year. Where applicable, all values refer to Qatar Petrochemical Company (QAPCO) Q.S.C. expressed in QR billions and percentages have been rounded to 1 decimal point. All other values have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Values expressed in US $'s have been converted at the rate of US $1 = QR3.65.
About QAPCO
QAPCO has grown to be recognized as one of the largest producers of low density polyethylene (LDPE) in the Middle East. The company produces a wide range of LDPE grades suitable to all thermoplastics processing techniques with various applications, such as packaging films, agricultural films, extrusion and coating lamination films, high-clarity films, injection molding, cables, wires, foam and other products that are widely used all over the world and touching everyone's daily life.
QAPCO was established in 1974 as a joint multinational venture to utilize the associated and non-associated ethane gases from petroleum production in line with the industrialization plan of the State of Qatar.
QAPCO is jointly owned by Industries Qatar (IQ) with 80% share and Total Petrochemicals France with 20% share.
Plants and Products
Located in Mesaieed Industrial City, QAPCO's manufacturing facilities consist of an 800 KTPA (kilo-ton per annum) ethylene plant, a 70 KTPA sulfur processing plant, and two LDPE plants with a combined capacity of 400 KTPA, In 2012, QAPCO's third LDPE plant was inaugurated and adds an extra capacity of 300 KTPA of LDPE, raising the company's total LDPE capacity to 700 KTPA and making QAPCO one of the largest producers of LDPE in the Middle East.
In addition, QAPCO has self-sufficient utilities plants and other offsite and auxiliary facilities such as those for the production and supply of raw pyrolysis gasoline for SEEF Ltd. and for the manufacture of linear alkyl benzene.
QAPCO also has facilities to process the C4+ stream from Q-Chem to convert it into high-value LPG, which is then supplied to QP.
Projects and Ventures
In a quest to integrate and expand its downstream industrial base and diversify its income resources, QAPCO is involved in a number of joint ventures that includes QVC, QATOFIN, and QPPC, making QAPCO a regional petrochemical powerhouse.
© Press Release 2016
