Borouge International Deploys Artificial Intelligence Across Global Operations

The world's largest polyolefins producer is embedding AI and digitalisation throughout its value chain, targeting $100 million in value generation by 2027 through strategic technology partnerships and transformative operational solutions.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the industrial landscape, and Borouge International is positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation. The petrochemical giant is now accelerating the deployment of AI and digitalisation across its entire operations, from manufacturing floors to supply chain networks and customer engagement, fundamentally reshaping how it creates value and competes globally.

The strategic drive, which combines the capabilities, technologies and expertise of Borouge, Borealis and NOVA Chemicals following their integration, is expected to generate $100 million in value by 2027. Dr. Hasan Karam, Chief Operating Officer of Borouge International, notes that this represents far more than incremental improvement. “AI and digitalisation are central to how we are building Borouge International into a more agile, efficient and competitive global company,” he explains. “By combining the capabilities, technologies and expertise of our legacy companies, we can develop high-impact AI solutions once and scale them rapidly across our operations.”

The ambition extends beyond Abu Dhabi. To accelerate deployment, Borouge International has forged strategic partnerships with leading technology firms including Microsoft, Emerson, Immensa and Cognite, partnerships announced at ADIPEC 2026. These collaborations enable the company to access world-class expertise and rapidly implement proven solutions across its geographically dispersed operations.

Already, tangible results demonstrate the potential. Borouge International has deployed the world’s largest Real-Time Optimisation system across its UAE facilities, with three large-scale ethane crackers and 20 furnaces now operating with AI-enabled analysis of more than 2,500 parameters per minute. This technological architecture supports faster decision-making, higher productivity, lower energy consumption and reduced emissions. Earlier this year, as the company charts its ambitious path toward 13.8 million tonnes annual capacity by 2030, it completed an industry-first proof of concept for AI-powered autonomous operations at its Ruwais facility, developed with Honeywell. Conducted in a live production environment, results indicate potential efficiency gains of up to 20 per cent, with downtime reductions of 20 per cent and operating cost improvements of up to 15 per cent, whilst enhancing process safety and supporting more sustainable operations.

The company is developing what it describes as one of the petrochemical sector’s most advanced industrial optimisation networks. This “build once, scale globally” approach enables faster deployment of proven solutions, accelerates value creation and strengthens operational excellence across continents. Machine learning enhanced forecasting, digital twins enabling predictive maintenance and 3D printing advancing industrial additive manufacturing all form part of this emerging ecosystem.

Borouge International’s global footprint provides distinct competitive advantage. Solutions proven at one site can be rapidly scaled across the organisation, a repeatable model that accelerates value creation, reduces deployment risk and extends proven capabilities throughout the value chain. Following its transformation into a truly integrated company, Borouge International now brings together three highly complementary businesses across Europe, the Middle East and North America, capturing value from combined scale, geographic reach, premium product portfolio, proprietary technologies, manufacturing footprint and commercial capabilities.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi’s industrial landscape is evolving into a hub of technological sophistication and operational excellence. Borouge International’s acceleration of AI and digitalisation represents a significant step forward for the emirate’s manufacturing sector, positioning Ruwais and broader UAE operations as centres of innovation within global petrochemicals. This transformation strengthens Abu Dhabi’s competitive position whilst supporting the emirate’s broader commitment to economic diversification and technological advancement.

The $100 million value generation target by 2027 underscores the scale of opportunity within Abu Dhabi’s industrial ecosystem. As Borouge International integrates advanced AI capabilities across production, innovation and supply chain operations, the company continues to strengthen its role as an economic anchor and employer within the emirate, whilst demonstrating how world-class technology adoption can enhance operational efficiency, reduce environmental impact and create sustainable long-term value across the value chain.

Source: WAM

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