The Middle East Chemical Summit 2025, a landmark event for the region’s chemical and energy sectors, kicked off on Sunday at Dubai World Trade Centre. Attracting 450+ exhibitors from 29 countries—with strong participation from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Iran—the four-day summit, themed “Energy-Chemical Synergy for Sustainable Growth”, has drawn over 16,000 attendees, including oil and gas executives, chemical manufacturers, and international investors.

A core highlight was the Energy-Chemical Integration Zone, where regional giants showcased how abundant local energy resources are driving chemical innovation. Saudi Aramco presented its “Blue Ammonia to Chemicals” project, which uses low-carbon blue ammonia (produced from natural gas with carbon capture) as a feedstock for fertilizers and plastics. “This cuts carbon emissions by 65% compared to traditional natural gas-based processes,” a Saudi Aramco senior engineer explained. The UAE’s ADNOC, meanwhile, unveiled a new ethylene production facility powered by solar energy, reducing reliance on fossil fuels for chemical manufacturing and slashing operational emissions by 40%.

Regional collaboration took center stage, with cross-border partnerships announced during the summit. Iran’s Persian Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (PGPIC) signed a $120 million deal with a Dubai-based logistics firm to expand chemical export routes to Africa and South Asia. “This partnership will help us reach 15 new markets by 2026,” a PGPIC representative said. Additionally, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and a German chemical firm was launched to build a green methanol plant in Qatar, using renewable energy to produce methanol for marine fuel—aligning with global shipping’s decarbonization goals.

The summit also featured a “Future Materials Showcase” for SMEs. A UAE startup, GreenMideast, introduced a bio-based lubricant made from date palm waste, which performs as well as mineral oil-based lubricants but is 100% biodegradable. By the end of the first day, the startup had secured supply contracts with two local automotive companies. “The Middle East has unique raw materials—we’re turning them into sustainable chemical solutions,” GreenMideast’s CEO shared.

Organizers noted that pre-summit business meetings had already generated (180 million in potential deals, with expectations to exceed )350 million by the event’s close. “This summit isn’t just about trade—it’s about positioning the Middle East as a global hub for sustainable energy-chemical integration,” said the summit director. As day two gets underway, attendees look forward to more innovations that will shape the region’s role in the global chemical industry’s low-carbon future.