Honeywell has unveiled a new “Refinery of the Future” concept, which will be showcased at the annual Middle East Technology Forum for Refining & Petrochemicals (ME-TECH), taking place from February 18-20 in Abu Dhabi.
The concept demonstrates how carefully planned investments in refining operations -- including integration with petrochemicals production -- can help refiners improve profit margins.
At ME-TECH, Honeywell UOP, a leader in the oil and gas industry, will explain how its “Refinery of the Future” concept can help refiners unlock new value from crude oil, potentially improving net cash margin by almost $30 per barrel.
Honeywell will also showcase the impact of integration between refining and petrochemicals on the oil and gas sector in the Middle East and explain how new production technology is enabling economies of scale that lower the cost of petrochemical production.
“The history of refining crude oil is rooted in the production of fuels, but forward-looking refiners are branching out into petrochemicals to stay competitive and ensure continued profitable growth,” said Hesham Tashkandi, vice president and general manager, Honeywell Performance Materials and Technologies, Middle East.
“Changes in market dynamics, combined with advanced technologies in the efficient management of hydrocarbon molecules, are opening up alternative paths to profitability for refiners. With the right retrofit technology and domain expertise, the ‘refinery of the future’ is now within reach.”
Recent projections show that by 2022, the top quartile of refineries by margin will be integrated with petrochemicals. World-scale refineries employing new technologies are being built in regions with growing fuels demand. These new, global, integrated plants will be considerably more resilient to shrinking gasoline and diesel margins and will remain more competitive than much of the current installed base.
A new Honeywell whitepaper titled ‘Refinery of the Future’ will also debut at ME-TECH, detailing how petrochemical integration requires a strategy that is designed to maximize value at each step and Honeywell UOP technologies provide the right solutions.
Honeywell’s case studies show potential diversification pathways to petrochemicals, which can be completed through a series of economically viable investments in bottom-of-barrel conversion, hydrocracking to naphtha technologies, and an aromatics complex integrated with a Toluene Methylation unit. These technologies enable production of enough heavy naphtha to support profitable world-scale paraxylene production from the same crude rate. – TradeArabia News Service
Industry, Logistics & Shipping
Honeywell to display new refinery concept at forum
Industry, Logistics & Shipping
Ducab launches region's first HV fiber optic cable
Ducab Group has announced the launch of its latest innovation, the High Voltage (HV) Fiber Optic cable, at the Middle East Energy 2025 exhibition in Dubai.
As the first of its kind in the GCC, this pioneering product will deliver smarter, greener, and more resilient power solutions to support growing global energy demand and diversification.
The launch also marks a strategic step in Ducab’s global expansion, particularly in highly regulated markets like the European Union (EU), where its advanced design and compliance with international sustainability standards provide a competitive edge.
The HV Fiber Optic Cable brings a new level of intelligence to power networks by combining high-voltage transmission with advanced fiber optic technology.
It continuously monitors temperature, strain, and performance, allowing for early detection of potential issues before they lead to power disruptions. This makes power grids more stable and efficient, helping to meet the energy needs of fast-growing regions like the GCC while minimizing downtime.
The cable emphasises Ducab’s position as a trusted partner to governments and industries, supporting various sectors including renewables, mining, and industrial operations, and is vital to mission-critical industries such as oil & gas, offshore operations, and defense with tailored solutions.
In addition to its advanced features, the HV Fiber Optic Cable is built with sustainability and efficiency in mind.
Manufactured using 98% recycled materials and produced through eco-friendly processes that minimize waste and reduce carbon impact, the cable aligns with the increasing global focus on green energy solutions.
Its compliance with strict European environmental standards makes it an attractive option for EU utility providers and infrastructure projects, where demand for sustainable and energy-efficient solutions continues to grow.
The launch of this cable at Middle East Energy is part of Ducab’s broader commitment to sustainability and supports clean energy initiatives, in line with the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative and the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050.
Charles Mellagui, CEO of Ducab Cable Business (DCB), said: "The introduction of our High Voltage Fiber Optic cable is a game-changer for the power transmission industry in the GCC and globally. By integrating high-voltage performance with real-time monitoring, we are enabling utility operators to manage power networks with greater efficiency, safety, and precision."
"This product addresses today’s challenges while setting the stage for the future of energy infrastructure, reinforcing Ducab’s commitment to leading the global power transmission industry. This is about powering essential global infrastructure now and well into the future," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Industry, Logistics & Shipping
EDGE Group advances anti-drone co-operation with Brazilian Navy
EDGE, one of the world's leading advanced technology companies and defence groups, has announced the signing of a strategic letter of intent with the Brazilian Navy, through the Navy's Weapons Systems Directorate, detailing the joint development of anti-drone systems.
The next phase will involve establishing a joint working group, comprising technical experts from both parties, to advance the established partnership.
The objective of this cooperation is to develop and deploy counter-drone systems tailored to naval defence needs, with a focus on autonomous surface and aerial technologies, said EDGE in a statement.
These systems will incorporate advanced sensors, such as radars and electro-optical technologies, combined with signal jamming capabilities to effectively neutralise threats from autonomous air and surface vehicles, it stated.
The document was signed at LAAD Defence & Security 2025, currently being held at the Riocentro Exhibition & Convention Center in Rio de Janeiro.
This milestone represents a continued commitment to strengthening technical, operational, and logistical cooperation with the Brazilian Navy, with a shared focus on advancing sophisticated anti-drone systems for naval applications.-TradeArabia News Service
