< PreviousDIA33 EXPLORES NEW HORIZONS WITH EXTENDED PRESERVATIVES AND PIGMENTS PORTFOLIO DIA33 has recently enlarged their preservatives and pigments portfolio by associating with leading providers of preservation and microbial solutions like Laboratorios Argenol and Chemipol, and pigment manufacturers like Koel Colours and Aum Farbenchem (India) DIA33 is a solution provider of specialty chemicals throughout the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Far East and Pacif- ic. The company seek to utilise pio- neering solutions and logistics and have be- come a preferred partner for its customers and suppliers. DIA33’s goal is to work along- side customers and solve their challenges with effi ciency and quality products. Incorporated in January 2011, DIA33 had a modest beginning with an ambitious vision. Today, the company has more than 14 subsid- iaries and associate fi rms, focusing on specialty chemicals for paints, coatings, construction, plastics, personal care, inks, adhesives, etc. DIA33 operates throughout the world, pro- viding innovative solutions to its customers. Whether one needs custom chemical blends, bulk chemical products, or chemical storage and packaging, the company off ers quality chemicals and chemical distribution services to over 280 customers across 26 countries. Signifi cance of preservation The topic of preservation is always of impor- tance to formulators and fi nished goods mar- keters. Globally, manufacturers invest a lot of time and money to ensure that their products are properly formulated. But hard work can quickly go to waste if formulators neglect, or overlook to add the key ingredient that secures a lasting shelf life known as preservatives. These antimicrobial additives, or biocides are necessary for controlling the growth of un- wanted micro-organisms in various products. In products like aqueous coatings, polymers, slurries, adhesives, latex and resin emulsions, inks, plastics, rubber, and process waters, bio- cidal preservatives are must to add. These can prevent microbial growth that could lead to product spoilage and contamination. Formulators are aware of the necessity to adequately preserve their products in order to ensure product safety and be in compliance with legislation. This task is made much more diffi cult when marketing requirements are Product innovations and personal hygiene The increased consumer spending on prod- uct innovations and personal hygiene has fostered the demand of liquid detergents. The price reduction owing to the augmented competition has also intensifi ed the demand for liquid detergents. Advanced technologies and augmented applications in the chemical industry is likely to propel the phenoxyetha- nol preservatives market. However, the product market might witness several factors hindering its growth in the near future. The product is likely to cause dermati- tis, allergic reactions and skin irritation. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has de- clared warnings regarding the toxicity associated with the product ingestion by infants. The proto- cols in European Union and Japan allow product concentration of 1% w/w for use in cosmetics. International regulatory bodies like Cos- metic Toiletry Fragrance Association-USA, European Economic Community, British Pharmacopoeia and US Pharmacopoeia, and Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare have recognised phenoxyethanol as an opera- tive preservative. Yet, due to the severe gov- ernment regulations, the process of approval involved in the phenoxyethanol preservatives can otherwise be expensive and time-consum- ing. Moreover, the natural preservatives such as tea tree oil, neem seed oil, grapefruit seed extract and others act as substantial alterna- tives to the product market. Laboratorios Argenol and Chemipol have decades of experience in preservatives and biocides to enhance product shelf life, and also to prevent many dreadful diseases and off er environmentally friendly solution. Novelty about silver Since 1939, Laboratorios Argenol manufac- tures and markets silver-based products, anti- microbial properties of which are widely used in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, plastic, con- struction, paint, coating, ceramic, porcelain and adhesive markets. Nadeem Raza, CEO of DIA33. added to the factors infl uencing the preserva- tive choice. Demands such as global approval, soft preservation, etc. have limited the num- ber of acceptable preservatives. Microorganisms can grow on almost every substance existing in nature and are often able to attack, or even decompose them. The biological degradation has to be stopped for a certain period. A preservative must be added, but for environmental reasons, the preser- vative should be biodegradable, too. This is no confl ict; for example, a concentration of ethanol between 50% and 90 % is a good dis- infectant; between 13% and 50 %, it acts as preservative; but below 13 %, ethanol will be biologically degraded to acetic acid. Global phenoxyethanol preservative market is predicted to be driven by home and personal care products such as cosmetics, detergents, perfumes and ointments by 2024. The prevalent trend of paraben-free compounds usage will further pro- pel the market in the coming years. The cosmet- ics segment is expected to have gains up to 6.9% CAGR in the forecast period. 20 Refi ning & Petrochemicals Middle East August 2019www.refi ningandpetrochemicalsme.com Suppliers You Should KnowKoel Colours received the Innovation Award under the category of best ingredients for its Altered Black, at the HPCI India Exhibition on 15 March 2019. Altered Black boasts of an advanced technology providing non- nano, water dispersible and dust-free carbon black for cosmetic and personal care applications. Silver is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, which has a selective toxicity, effi cacy of which has been proven against the micro- organisms that surround us today such as E. coli, Legionella, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, S. Aureus, and A. Niger, among others. The novelty about silver is the fact that it does not only act as a preservative, but also as an anti-pathogenic substance, for a wide range of pathogens. Silver containing sub- stances are inhibitors of nucleic acid synthe- sis. Thus, it interferes with DNA replication in target cells, thereby stopping the propagation of pathogens at low dosage levels. The silver additives manufactured by Laboratorios Ar- genol prevent the growth of bacteria, moulds and fungi, and of other microorganisms. BactiBlock series based on silver organo- bentonite to counter against food borne, or disease causing bacteria, viruses, germs and goes in products like polymeric materials, paints, plastics and latex products, whereas ArgiBlock series are based on silver and zinc pyrithione to target growth of seaweeds, moulds, fungi and of all bacterium that cause bad smells, discolouration, stains and dete- rioration, or corrosion in the application areas like manufacture of polymers, paintings, ce- ments, grouts and construction materials, and made in plastic, or latex articles. The experience of the technical department of such anti-microbials solutions in manufac- turing these silver derivatives has enabled to develop diff erent presentations of high-qual- ity and eff ective silver, obtaining certifi cates such as COSMOS standard and ECOCERT. Therefore, colloidal, metallic, or ionic silver is used in a number of cosmetic applications to prevent infections, and as preservative, thus avoiding the use of parabens. The pharmacodynamics of silver in many trials of diff erent formulations have proven that there are no dermatological eff ects from irritation, itching, rashes, scaly skin, etc. Also, the pharmacokinetics of silver reveal that from absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, it is very good and safe. Thus, silver possess little, or no threat in the human system at prescribed concentrations. Broad range of applications Laboratorios Argenol manufacture gold and platinum ingredients as well for markets where luxury is a must. Its 24K gold and col- loidal gold are trendy products nowadays. Today, a large and ever-increasing number of companies are discovering the broad range of applications that the products off er in many fi elds. Talking about fuel and diesel, microor- ganisms may cause the following problems: (i) attack on diesel and additives, directly reducing the performance of diesel; (ii) pro- duction of organic acids that will oxidise the facility structures; and (iii) lime production that will block the pipes, fi lters, injectors and pumps. These problems have a signifi cant ef- fect on the diesel consumption, performance and cost of operational fl eets. Biocide kills microbes in diesel fuel. The dramatically reduced sulphur content in to- day’s cleaner burning fuels has created ideal opportunities for microbes to grow in fuel tanks. The fi rst indication of microbial con- tamination is mucous-like accumulations on fuel-fi lters and increased requirements for fuel-fi lter replacement. The only way to get rid of microbial contamination is to kill the mi- crobes with a biocide. Biopol and Fungipol from Chemipol is based on CMIT/MIT, combining BIT, MIT, Bronopol, and formaldehyde free, VOC-free biocides for various applications. The most sought-after properties of Chemipol Biocide preservatives are: broad spectrum of activity (bacteria and fungi); eff ective over a wide pH range; easy to use and handle; compatible in raw material and formulation; cost eff ective at low concentra- tions; practically free from odour and colour; extremely low toxicity to humans; environmen- tally acceptable; and approved for use by many regulatory bodies world-wide. Desired colour and characteristics Pigment manufacturers like Koel Colours and Aum Farbenchem (India) have established their strong presence in industry segments like personal care, pharmaceuticals, etc. with a healthy portfolio of reputed clients, both MNCs and local. The companies also export to Europe, Middle East, US and Asian countries. Organic and inorganic colourants with nec- essary treatments give cosmetic products the desired colour and characteristics. Surface treat- ment of pigments and powders boost the aes- thetic and functional attributes of product formu- lations. One of many reasons behind the surface treatment of cosmetic pigments is the ability to enhance the pigment’s dispersion attribute. Cosmetic products are used on hair, nails, and skin. These products are applied us- ing fi ngertips, brushes, sticks, or other tools. Cosmetic product users want the application process to be convenient. Surface treated cos- metic pigments simplify this process and help to make it user-friendly. Recent trends in cosmetic dyes and pig- ments that are pushing the industry’s growth such as emerging Asian countries as preferred pigment manufacturers by cosmetic formu- lators and manufacturers. To survive in a competitive market, cosmetic manufacturers have to ensure that their innovative colour cosmetics are safe and comply with regulatory standards. So, cosmetic colour manufacturers off er product and application development services through their specialised laborato- ries. Cosmetic manufacturers continue to look for pigment colours that can help them to cre- ate long-lasting products. Some really intrigu- ing and unique trends followed globally by formulators in 2019 are PANTONE 16-1546 TCX Living Coral, Black Bite, Smoky Eyes, Metallic, Red Lip Shine and 90s Brown. 21 Refi ning & Petrochemicals Middle East August 2019www.refi ningandpetrochemicalsme.com Suppliers You Should KnowA better technology solution: Waste carbon dioxide as a feedstock for performance polyurethanes Adding renewable content and decreasing carbon footprint, while maintaining high performance, are two factors driving innovation in polyurethane suppliers, observes Dr Scott Allen Chemicals have an impact that is mea- sured in human terms. As energy de- mand rises with the looming nine- billion population milestone, and as more people aspire to and achieve middle- class status than at any other point in history, consumers seek the products that support a better living standard – but not at the ex- pense of the environment. More specifi cally, the market is increas- ingly demanding products that off er perfor- mance yet are more sustainable and renew- able. The polyurethane industry is looking for opportunities to achieve this goal: re- duce carbon footprint while improving per- formance, but without impacting produc- tion costs. Wide variety of physical and mechanical properties of polyurethanes Polyurethanes are a class of polymers that fi nd use in a diverse range of applications due to their versatility and high performance. They are produced through the chain exten- sion polymerisation between a polyol and an isocyanate. Polyols are low-molecular- weight polymers with hydroxyl functionality with typical values ranging from two to six hydroxyl groups per polyol. Isocyanates are a class of compounds that react rapidly with polyols and do not generate by-products in that reac- tion. The polyol component of the poly- urethane can be selected from many different polymer classes, including poly- ethers, polyesters, polycarbonates, poly- olefins, and acrylics. Because of the many types of polyols and isocyanates available, polyurethane manu- facturers can formulate products that achieve a wide variety of physical and mechanical properties ranging from soft and fl exible to tough and rigid. Dr Scott Allen is R&D director at Aramco Performance Materials in Houston. 22 Refi ning & Petrochemicals Middle East August 2019www.refi ningandpetrochemicalsme.com AnalysisResearch and development building at Saudi Aramco. Substituting the polyol component of the polyurethane with a polyol containing re- newable, or recycled content is one area that has received a great deal of attention. In fact, new and benefi cial applications for waste carbon dioxide are among the most exciting solutions to the climate-change challenge. However, in many cases, substituting a traditional polyol with one containing re- newable, or recycled content fails to provide adequate performance relative to the bench- marks. This drawback, in turn, limits the use of these polyols. Converge polyol technology Saudi Aramco is addressing this market in- centive with a major complement to its grow- ing chemicals portfolio: the ‘Converge’ polyol technology line using CO2 as a feedstock for next-generation polyurethane. We are commercialising this innovative and transformative technology that com- bines waste carbon dioxide (CO2) with a hydrocarbon feedstock to create high-per- formance polyols. These polyols, under the tradename Converge, are initially fi nding use in many everyday applications such as Converge vs. specialty polyester. Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants and Elasto- mers, a specialty polyurethane market seg- ment with the acronym ‘CASE’. The key is a proprietary catalyst that co- polymerises CO2 with epoxides to generate polycarbonate polyols. The catalyst pro- motes the alternating copolymerisation between epoxides and CO2 to provide poly- ols with a substantial weight fraction of waste CO2 locked into the polyol structure, 23 Refi ning & Petrochemicals Middle East August 2019www.refi ningandpetrochemicalsme.com Analysisstrength, toughness, and abrasion resistance in a number of CASE applications. When combined with polyesters, Converge polyols can bolster hydrolytic resistance. In addition to the performance advantag- es, Converge polycarbonate polyols provide a lower CO2 footprint compared with other resins and polyols. The benefi t of using CO2 as a feedstock is two-fold: fi rst, incorporating CO2 directly into the polyol molecule uses a waste product as a key raw material; and sec- ondly, the CO2 incorporated into the polyol displaces a petroleum feedstock. In order to produce one kilogram of polyether polyol, one kilogram of epox- ide (a petrochemical feedstock) is re- quired. However, the same kilogram of epoxide can produce as much as 1.75kg of Converge polyol – nearly double the amount – greatly reducing the consump- tion of petroleum resources. There is a general perception in the poly- urethane industry that in order to incorpo- rate polyols with renewable content, a com- promise on performance is expected. The incorporation of Converge polyols into vari- ous applications has shown that this compro- mise is no longer necessary and that compet- itive, or superior properties can be achieved at attractive economics. Converge polyols combine greenhouse-gas CO2 with hydrocarbon feedstocks to create sustainable, high- value end-products with major improvements in performance, cost, and carbon footprint. Converge is a registered trademark of Aramco Performance Materials. permanently trapping the greenhouse gas in the polyol backbone. When propylene oxide is used in the po- lymerisation, polypropylene carbonate (PPC) is the product, which contains up to 42 wt% CO2. Another performance advantage of the Saudi Aramco catalyst is its high selectivity for alternating copolymerisation, providing polyols with a perfectly repeating unit that is 100% polycarbonate. Polycarbonate polyols are known to have superior performance in many CASE products, particularly when polyurethanes with high abrasion resistance, high chemi- cal resistance, and outdoor durability are required. The Converge epoxide/CO2 polycarbonate polyols are no exception, and performance advantages are observed in many CASE applications. Coating formulations using Converge polyols show improved abrasion and envi- ronmental resistance. In adhesives, Con- verge polyols off er improved bond strength with a variety of substrates as well as im- proved green strength. In elastomers, the incorporation of Converge polyols provides improved tensile and tear properties as well as improved hydrolytic resistance. In the specialties segment, Converge poly- ols off er a number of benefi ts. In electronic and ceramic applications, the polyols off er extremely clean burn-off at a low, tunable temperature with non-toxic by-products. In composites, Converge polyols improve both durability and compressive strength. Excellent tool for formulators Converge polyols are also an excellent tool for formulators in that they are compatible with conventional polyether and polyester polyols, allowing for a greater degree of fl ex- ibility for polyurethane manufacturers look- ing to enhance product properties. Polyether formulations incorporating Converge polyols exhibit improved tensile The benefi t of using CO2 as a feedstock is two-fold: fi rst, incorporating CO2 directly into the polyol molecule uses a waste product as a key raw material; and secondly, the CO2 incorporated into the polyol displaces a petroleum feedstock. 100% polycarbonate When propylene oxide is used in the polymerisation, polypropylene carbonate (PPC) is the product, which contains up to 42 wt% CO2. Another performance advantage of the Saudi Aramco catalyst is its high selectivity for alternating copolymerisation, providing polyols with a perfectly repeating unit that is 100% polycarbonate. FACT BOX 24 Refi ning & Petrochemicals Middle East August 2019www.refi ningandpetrochemicalsme.com AnalysisNEWS, DATA AND ANALYSES FOR THE REFINING AND PETROCHEMICAL INDUSTRIES An ITP Media Group Publication AUGUST 2019 A SPECIAL REPORT FROM REFINING & PETROCHEMICALS MIDDLE EAST REFINERIES REFINERIES OF THE FUTUREOF THE FUTURE TH E ACTUAL STRUCTU RE OF A MIDDLE EASTERN REFIN ERY OF TH E FUTU RE WILL HAVE A VERY DIFFERENT MANAG EM ENT STRUCTU RE , LOCAL PERSON N EL , AN D IN FORMATION MANAG EM ENT MODELS AN D SYSTEM S THAN THOS E OF TODAY MARKET MARKET FOCUSFOCUS Refi ning Refi ning companies could companies could implement broader implement broader transformational transformational improvements as improvements as part of its mega part of its mega projectsprojects ++ KNOWLEDGE PARTNER Cetek introduces a coatings Cetek introduces a coatings technology designed to technology designed to prevent scale formation prevent scale formation on the process tubes and on the process tubes and increase the emissivity of a increase the emissivity of a refractory liningrefractory liningWEDNESDAY 18th SEPTEMBER 2019 PLAY RESTAURANT & LOUNGE Dubai, UAE BOOK YOUR TABLES TODAY! For more information contact one of our team today FOR NOMINATION ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: Martin Menachery Editor, Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East Tel: +971 4 444 3192 Email: martin.menachery@itp.com FOR NOMINATION ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT : Carla Sertin Editor, Oil & Gas Middle East Tel: +971 4 444 3265 Email: carla.sertin@itp.com FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: Mark Grennell Group Sales Manager, Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East Tel: +971 4 444 3202 Email: mark.grennell@itp.com FOR BOOKING ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: Lacie Curtis Table Sales Executive Tel: +971 4 444 3223 Email: lacie.curtis@itp.com FOR EVENT ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: Teri Dunstan Event Manager Tel: +971 4 444 3227 Email: teri.dunstan@itp.com FOR NOMINATION ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: Baset Asaba Editor, Utilities Middle East Tel: +971 4 444 3159 Email: baset.asaba@itp.com FOR SPONSORSHIP ENQUIRIES, PLEASE CONTACT: Pankaj Sharma Senior Sales Manager, Utilities Middle East Tel: +971 4 444 3510 Email: pankaj.sharma@itp.com middle�east�awards�2019 www.oilandgasmiddleeast.com/energyawards #EnergyAwards JOIN US FOR AN EXCLUSIVE GATHERING OF ENERGY EXECUTIVES AT THE MIDDLE EAST ENERGY AWARDS SILVER SPONSORI n the global refi ning industry, digital technologies will drive integration to more eff ective business processes in the future that provide operators with actionable data on their businesses. These technologies will create an end-to-end understanding of business processes focussing on operational excellence and move away from the traditional siloed functions. Digitalisation done in the right way will fur- ther improve the uptime, productivity, energy effi ciency and safety in the refi ning industry. The direction of this technology development is not just connecting systems but running them in a collaborative way with an increasing degree of autonomy. There is already a massive impact of digitalisation in the refi neries, and this trend is going to be more powerful in the future. Vendors who have been active in the Middle East refi ning industry are starting to implement their own platforms and analyt- ics capabilities to meet the need for asset performance management and operations optimisation from the industry. Some of these implementations are proliferating vendors, but others are using a more open source approach with the aspiration of becoming the ‘de facto industry implementation model’. Many refi ning companies in the Middle East are on hype when it comes to the adoption of digital transformation. Some of the companies in the region are really advanced in digital transformation, and those companies have in-novation departments. The reason why the refi ning industry is going for digitalisation is that the industry is facing a huge competi- tion. The companies want to improve their profi t margins. This is the only reason why the refi ning industry is suddenly embarking on the digital transformation journey. Historically, the expertise built in the refi n- ing industry was vendor-specifi c due to the proprietary nature of the legacy systems. That meant the industry professionals turned to their existing vendors for their solutions and what was made available to them, rather than driving their business-specifi c requirements into the solutions they received. This created a further proliferation of specifi c solution silos. For the refi ning industry, it is advantageous to go for big data and use it for bringing in value. It is a transformation process. Most of the refi ning companies are looking at optimisation of plant productivity. By collecting data, and using better data algorithms, it is possible to fi nd potential problems in a refi nery. It is an innovation process. With better connectivity, ability to capture, store and manage data from diff erent sources and diff erent formats, and improved analytics, and ubiquity of access, there is a window of op- portunity that refi ning industry professionals are exploring and they are now starting to drive the breakdown of silos in their environments. The refi ning industry is globally one of the most advanced in terms of digital applications compared to other industries. Much before the industry started talking about digital transfor- mation, many of the processes in the refi ning in-dustry were highly automated. Now, with the new focus globally on IoT, a new era of in- novations is coming in for the industry. The latest digital solutions can actually serve in many areas in the operations of refi neries, starting from logistics to tracking of the assets. Predictive analysis is a big topic now in the refi ning industry. It is the method of predicting the failure of an equipment before it happens. For this, historical data not just from one site but from multiple sites are analysed. For this, governments have to bring in regulations by which data can be shared between diff erent re- fi neries. This is easier in the GCC because most of the refi neries are in government control. Digital transformation of refi neries puts the focus on customer-centricity and this is achieved not only by identifying the most critical customer touch points and exploring the opportunity to improve them through digitalisation but also the organisational cul- ture change required to support it. The digital transformation journey of a refi nery embraces production, supply chain, manufacturing and distribution, and eff orts to focus only on parts would usually result in sub-optimal solutions. Refi ners should adopt and integrate innova- tions now to have a respectable place in the refi neries of the future. Digitalisation in the refineries of the future Martin Menachery Editor Refining & Petrochemicals Middle East martin.menachery@itp.com 27 Refi ning & Petrochemicals Middle East August 2019www.refi ningandpetrochemicalsme.com Editor’s CommentWILL THE ROAD TO THE FUTURE FOR REFINERIES BE A LONG AND THORNY ONE? We think that the actual structure of a Middle Eastern refi nery of the future will have a very different management structure, local personnel, and information management models and systems than those of today, comment Ekaterina Kalinenko and Bill Bosler Acontinued shale oil develop- ment requires oil producing regions like Middle East and Russia to reinvent, or digitally transform their industries. Like everywhere in the world, the challenge is the role and motivation of senior manage- ment to lead the change. Since refi ning and petrochemical companies have been hesitant to adopt newer organisational and collabora- tion concepts, the reinvention options are al- most limitless. We think that the actual structure of a Mid- dle Eastern refi nery of the future will evolve into one that is processing-wise similar to those of today – this topic we will discuss next month; but, it will have a very diff erent man- agement structure, local personnel, and in- formation management models and systems than those of today. Personnel to lead the transition Post digital transformation, there will possi- bly be fewer middle management positions. Therefore, fi nding people to lead the digital transformation will be challenging for senior DATA AND ANALYSIS FOR THE MIDDLE EAST DOWNSTREAM SECTOR Post digital transformation, there will possibly be fewer middle management positions in the refin- eries of the future. (Image for illustration only) Companies are locating their technology de- velopment centres in cities around the world that have universities and think tanks to pro- vide broad access to people with needed skills like Silicon Valley. Some Middle Eastern countries are already employing this concept. Create operational centralised centres of excellence For the Middle East, the best practice may be to have multiple centralised centres of excel- lence (CoE) responsible for operations and management. Middle management positions that remain will be leader/facilitator posi- tions, and not command and control posi- tions. Command and control personalities will have diffi culty transitioning to leader, or facilitator personalities. Leaders/facilitators measure outcomes – a younger generations tend to be more collaborative and thus have more opportunities. Move activities in places where people want to live One organisational possibility is to operate all the refi neries from a central location. Oil pipe- line operators proved this works decades ago when they operated multiple pipelines from central control centres. Pipeline operators recruited and retained higher quality person- nel and ensured consistent operations across all pipelines. The savings and improved eco- nomic performance were very signifi cant. Off - shore producers did the same starting in the late 1990s. Refi ning in the US is in the process of demonstrating this. Similar realisations and practices are continuing to evolve in other industries. 28 Refi ning & Petrochemicals Middle East August 2019www.refi ningandpetrochemicalsme.com Market Focus29Market Focus Bill Bosler, associate consultant, EPC. maintenance of various functions like process operations, product sales and marketing, sup- ply chain (MRO and feedstocks), outbound logistics, HR, accounting, equipment reliabil- ity, IT ecosystem, etc. Personnel in newer CoEs actively par- ticipate in, or do the work in the fi eld. Each centre of excellence will have (i) staff [key knowledge workers from all sites for that specialty and one IT facilitator/liaison per- son]; (ii) art of the possible [leading en- hancements, <5% of companies do it this way]; (iii) best practices [~50% of companies do it this way]; (iv) possible improvements; (v) as-is; (vi) to be [future state]; and (vii) transition plan [{a} Organise opportunities Ekaterina Kalinenko is project director and Bill Bosler is associate consultant at Euro Petroleum Consultants (EPC), which is a technical oil and gas consultancy with offi ces in Dubai, London, Moscow, Sofi a and Kuala Lum- pur. Dubai, London, Moscow, Sofi a and Kuala Lumpur. EPC also organises leading conferenc- es, including BBTC MENA – Bottom of the Barrel Technology Conference – which will take place in Bahrain during 10-11 December 2019. For fur- ther details, please visit www.bbtc-mena.biz. For the Middle East, the best practice may be to have multiple centralised centres of excellence (CoE) responsible for operations and maintenance of various functions like process operations, product sales and marketing, supply chain (MRO and feedstocks), outbound logistics, HR, accounting, equipment reliability, IT ecosystem, etc. into small projects to be implemented using agile concepts. {b} Each CoE team should make low-hanging fruit type improvements, automate documentation preparation, and perform training. {c} As appropriate, each CoE should apply the changes to other sites by creating an eco-system for each site and applying the nuances for each site.] Form a collaborative continuous improvement team Implementing signifi cant, cross collaboration transformational team opportunities in an ex- isting organisation structure with rigid poli- cies, procedures, organisation structure, and IT systems is much harder. One cannot change the game by following the rules of the existing game. We suggest the following areas that need special focus: (i) viewing people as key value of the company rather than assets; (ii) going digital – but this way is not the only possible option for all re- fi neries especially independent ones – they should have the funds to invest and strong reason to do so; (iii) making rational but quick decisions based on market situation; and (iv) optimisation. Refi ning companies could implement broader transformational improvements as part of its mega projects. Ekaterina Kalinenko, project director, EPC. 29 Refi ning & Petrochemicals Middle East August 2019www.refi ningandpetrochemicalsme.com Market FocusNext >