The 9th edition of the Gulf Petrochemicals & Chemicals Association (GPCA) IP Awareness Workshop took place on 22-23 October at the SABIC Plastics Application Development Center (SPADC), focusing on a timely theme: “Empowering Sustainable Innovation: Strategic IP Protection in the Age of AI, Decarbonization, and Value‑Driven Portfolio Management.”

Building on its success in 2024 cantered on digital collaboration strategies, this year’s workshop emphasized leveraging AI, sustainability, and portfolio resilience to protect patentable innovations and trade secrets in the chemical and petrochemical industry.

The event spotlighted several pressing industry concerns:

  • AI-driven innovation and its implications on patent systems and intellectual property law
  • Green technology strategies to support environmental responsibility
  • Trade secret and data protection in collaborative settings
  • Due diligence and IP agreements across global value chains

Over two dynamic days, the workshop hosted an array of interactive sessions and panel discussions. Dr. Waleed Al‑Shalfan, VP, Corporate Sustainability, SABIC, and Chairman, GPCA Research & Innovation Committee, delivered the welcome remarks. Diderico Van Eyl, GM & Chief Counsel, IP, SABIC, presented a Keynote address on innovation and intellectual property, followed by a second Keynote address by Dr. Moayyed Al-Qurtas, Advisor, GPCA R&I Committee.

The second day commenced with a session on patent drafting, prosecution, and IP portfolio management led by Dr. Sushil Iyer, Principal, Fish & Richardson. It was followed by a presentation by Zayd Alathari, Founder and Chair, TechIPz, and Zachary Wegmann, Counsel, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP), on due diligence and freedom to operate (FTO) in a digitally dependent technology and manufacturing industry.

The workshop attracted a diverse audience, including petrochemical leaders, technology providers, legal advisors, policymakers, and academics from across the Gulf region. Attendees relished valuable networking opportunities and demonstrated GPCA’s commitment to cultivating a robust IP ecosystem.

Held at SPADC, a centre of excellence for advanced materials R&D, the event reinforced GPCA’s vision to transition the Gulf from a technology importer to an innovation powerhouse. Participants dove into case studies and collaborated on best practices designed to future-proof IP assets.

To learn more, visit: https://www.gpca.org.ae/events/9th-gpca-ip-awareness-workshop/