Borouge to Open Petchem Sector’s First AI Control Room

Borouge Plc, a leading petrochemicals company that provides innovative and differentiated polyolefins solutions, said that it was collaborating with Honeywell to conduct a proof of concept for AI-powered autonomous operations, which has the potential to revolutionise Borouge’s UAE plant operations.

The collaboration between Borouge and Honeywell is set to deliver the petrochemical industry’s first AI-driven control room designed for full-scale, real-time operation, establishing a new standard for the future of AI in petrochemicals.

Borouge CEO Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi said that his company’s AI, Digitalisation, and Technology (AIDT) is a key component of Borouge’s company-wide transformation programme, targeting $575 million in value generation in 2025, and is setting new standards in operations, innovation and business performance.

By collaborating with global AI leaders such as Honeywell, we are accelerating growth, driving efficiency, and enhancing shareholder value. This project further strengthens Borouge’s competitive edge as we continue to deliver on our ambitious AIDT roadmap, he said.

As part of the collaboration agreement, both companies will bring their expertise in process technology and autonomous control capabilities to identify new opportunities to deploy Agentic AI solutions and advanced machine learning algorithms.

George Bou Mitri, President of Honeywell Industrial Automation, Middle East, Turkey, Africa, Central Asia, said that their collaboration with Borouge is a clear example of how joint efforts can accelerate innovation across industry.

By integrating AI and automation technologies into core operations, we are helping unlock new levels of efficiency, safety, and performance. This agreement shows how advanced technologies, applied with purpose, can reshape industrial operations at scale, he added.

Enhancing Borouge’s Operations

The initiative aims to deploy the proof-of-concept technologies to enhance Borouge’s operations across its Ruwais facilities in the UAE. Autonomous operations will enable Borouge to optimise production, reduce energy use, and enhance safety while reducing costs at what will be the single largest petrochemical site in the world.

Borouge’s diverse portfolio of over 200 AIDT initiatives spanning operations, health and safety, sales, sustainability, and product innovation generated $573 million in value in 2024.