Borouge inaugurates $70 million Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi

The material developed at the US$70 million facility can be used in a wide array of applications from plastic bags to the automotive industry.

The Innovation Centre includes 16 plastics research labs as well as more than 230 pieces of advanced testing equipment. Christopher Pike / The National

Borouge inaugurated its Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi yesterday to help to expand research and innovation in the field of polymer development.

Abdulaziz Alhajri, the petrochemicals company’s chief executive, detailed how important the centre was for the company and the UAE. “As manufacturers are investing in improving their products while adhering to consumer tastes and new regulations, we must [also] be at the cutting edge of innovation and work together with our partners to find solutions to market needs,” he said.

Borouge is a joint venture between Adnoc and Austria’s Borealis. The material developed at the US$70 million facility can be used in a wide array of applications from plastic bags to the automotive products. The Innovation Centre, which works in collaboration with other Borealis centres in Europe, includes 16 plastics research labs as well as more than 230 pieces of advanced testing equipment.

Currently about 15 per cent of sales come from new products developed at the centre, but the company expects that number to increase over the next five years. By that time, the centre expects to have filed about 750 patents, with new products accounting for about 1 million tonnes, or 25 per cent of annual sales.

The Innovation Centre employs approximately 70 people, with UAE nationals making up one-third of that number.

UAE INNOVATION WEEK EVENTS – NOVEMBER 25

• Khalifa Fund: Innovation in small and medium enterprises, Sharjah

•in5, open data for innovation talk, Dubai Internet City

• Dubai SME, Unleash for innovation, Dubai

• Masdar City, The Solar Hub Launch, Abu Dhabi

• Launch an Innovation Channel on YouTube, Ministry of Economy, Dubai

• RAK Tourism Development Authority, showcasing new projects, Ras Al Khaimah

• Emirates Global Aluminium, innovation competition, Al Taweelah

• Ministry of Energy, launch of Year 2021 virtual museum, Abu Dhabi

• Creativity Award, Sharjah

• Dubai Financial Market: innovative issuers gathering, Dubai

• Free your creativity competition, Department of Economic Development, Ras Al Khaimah

• Securities and Commodities Authority: capital markets services conference, Dubai

• Julphar: diabetes and technology conference, Ras Al Khaimah

• Ministry of Economy: Innovations in economy show, Fujairah

• Innovation in small and medium enterprises event, Kalba

For more information visit: www.uaeinnovates.gov.ae/events

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