The conference will be held at Le Méridien Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, for the first time from 16-17 September 2026
The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the voice of the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf, will attract the region’s leading innovators, researchers, technology experts and industry decision-makers at the 8th GPCA Research and Innovation Conference, taking place on 16-17 September 2026 at Le Méridien Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia.
Held under the theme “Innovation that Delivers: Empowering Research and Talent for Tomorrow,” the conference will usher in a new era of innovation defined by digital technologies, artificial intelligence, advanced materials, collaborative R&D ecosystems and the development of future-ready talent. Through a world-class agenda featuring industry leaders, technology experts and research pioneers, delegates will explore how innovation can accelerate sustainability, improve operational performance, strengthen regional competitiveness and enable the commercialization of next-generation chemical solutions.
As the only event of its kind in the region focused exclusively on research and innovation in the chemical and petrochemical industry, the conference continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of the sector. Since its launch in 2013, the event has established itself as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, collaboration and strategic dialogue, helping organizations to unlock new value, strengthen competitiveness and accelerate sustainable growth.
As part of a two-day program, the conference will provide delegates with a unique opportunity to explore how companies can embed innovation into their organizational culture, transform ideas into commercial opportunities and leverage emerging technologies to address industry challenges.
Dr. Waleed Ahmad Al-Shalfan, VP for Corporate Sustainability, SABIC T&I, and Chairman, Research and Innovation Committee, GPCA, will deliver the welcome address on Day 1, followed by Dr. Thorsten Loehl, VP – Science & Engineering, Borouge International, who will present the keynote address.
Ahmad O. Al-Khowaiter, EVP – Technology & Innovation, Aramco, will deliver an opening plenary entitled “Scaling Innovation – The Engine Behind Economic Transformation.” In a fireside chat, hosted by Prof. Niveen M. Khashab, Professor of Chemistry and Founding Member, KAUST (2023 Great Arab Minds Award), Mahdi Aladel, CEO, Aramco Ventures, will address the topic “From Vision to Action: Powering the Innovation Playbook for the GCC’s Chemical Future.”
An esteemed strategic panel entitled “From Discovery to Deployment: Transforming Research into Industrial Impact” will engage four leading panellists: Dr. Saeed M. AlShihri, VP for Energy and Industry Sector, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST); Prof. Saeed M. Al-Zahrani, Executive Director, SABIC Polymer Research Center, King Saud University (KSU); Dr. Sulaiman S. Al Khattaf, VP – Technology & Innovation – SBU Petrochemicals, TASNEE; and Mohammad Essamuddin Ibrahim, GM, Research & Innovation, Sipchem.
A key focus of the conference will be the role of collaboration in driving industrial progress. As organizations seek to accelerate the pace of innovation, partnerships between industry, academia, technology providers and start-ups are becoming increasingly important. Delegates will have the opportunity to engage with peers, exchange ideas and explore new avenues for cooperation that can support long-term business resilience and growth.
In a leadership dialogue moderated by Jad Moussalli, Energy and Natural Resources Practice, Oliver Wyman, panellists Mohammed Mugaibel, MD – Saudi Arabia, BASF; and Dr. Saad F. Alafnan, Chairman, Department of Chemical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), will discuss the importance of cross-sector collaboration between industry, academia and government.
An executive panel “Building Talent for Tomorrow – Shaping the Next Generation of Scientific Minds” will underscore the critical role of talent development in driving future innovation and research excellence. Featuring Dr. Kashif Rasool, Senior Scientist in Materials, Environment & Sustainability, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar, the discussion will highlight the importance of nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders through opportunities that empower young researchers to address global challenges and contribute to a sustainable, knowledge-based future.
Day 2 of the conference will focus on the technologies, strategies, and intellectual capital that will shape the future of chemical innovation. The day will begin with a keynote address entitled “Roadmap to the Future of Chemical Innovation: Lessons from Global Leaders” delivered by Dr. Alexandra Zakharova, Partner and KSA Chemicals Leader, McKinsey & Company.
Building on this foundation, a strategic panel focused on “The Next Frontier of Innovation: Converging Discovery with AI and Supercomputing” will bring together Prof. Raghavan B. Sunoj, Professor of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), and Dr. Ammar A. Al-Nahwi, Director of Corporate Innovation, Aramco, to explore how advanced computing capabilities and artificial intelligence are revolutionizing scientific research.
The conference will then turn to a compelling case study, delivered by Dr. Monica de Mier, CEO and Co-Founder, Nextmol, who will demonstrate how AI-driven approaches are reshaping chemical design and development.
Beyond the conference sessions, attendees will enjoy extensive networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful connections and encourage collaboration across the innovation ecosystem. Whether participants are seeking new partnerships, exploring emerging technologies or benchmarking innovation strategies, the conference offers a valuable platform for engagement and learning.
To secure your spot visit: https://gpcachem.org/conferences/ric/