Aramco, Honeywell, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to co-develop next-generation Crude-to-Chemicals (CTC) technology.
The partnership is designed to accelerate innovation in Saudi Arabia’s downstream sector and strengthen the Kingdom’s global position in the petrochemicals industry.
The initiative will focus on developing and scaling up the full CTC process, with the aim of reducing both capital and operational costs.
Crude-to-Chemicals (CTC) collaboration to cut costs and improve efficiency
This advanced pathway is expected to maximize the value of each barrel of crude by converting it directly into light olefins and other high-demand chemicals. It also promises improvements in fuel efficiency, carbon utilization, and overall process economics.
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Strategic alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
By driving technological innovation, the collaboration supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals of economic diversification and building national research and technology capabilities.
It represents a strategic alignment of industrial expertise, academic research, and market demand – creating a platform for high-impact innovation in petrochemicals.
Dr Ali A Al-Meshari, Aramco Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight & Coordination, said the partnership with Honeywell and KAUST would enhance energy efficiency and unlock greater value from crude. He noted that the Crude-to-Chemicals (CTC) initiative reflects Aramco’s commitment to advancing cleaner, high-performance chemical production.
Rajesh Gattupalli, Honeywell UOP President, highlighted the significance of the agreement, noting Honeywell’s deep expertise in catalytic process design and commercial scale-up.
He said the collaboration will reduce emissions, improve efficiency, and enhance the Kingdom’s competitiveness in global chemicals markets.
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Dr Ian Campbell, Senior Vice President of KAUST’s National Transformation Institute, emphasized the importance of translating scientific breakthroughs into industrial applications.
He said the partnership demonstrates how academia and industry can jointly accelerate technology development to support Saudi Arabia’s innovation-driven economy.
A step toward next-generation petrochemical innovation
The joint effort between Aramco, Honeywell, and KAUST underscores the growing importance of Crude-to-Chemicals (CTC) technology in reshaping the future of petrochemical production.
By integrating industrial know-how, research excellence, and market focus, the partnership sets the stage for cost-effective, sustainable, and large-scale chemical production.
