Borouge, a leading petrochemical company based in Abu Dhabi, has successfully completed a proof of concept for fully autonomous AI operations at its Ruwais facility. The project, conducted in partnership with Honeywell, demonstrates significant gains in efficiency, reliability, and cost reduction – potentially reshaping the future of petrochemical manufacturing.
Key Findings and Results
The trials, carried out in a live production setting, indicate that AI-driven automation could increase operational efficiency by up to 20%, reduce downtime by 20%, and lower operating costs by as much as 15%. These improvements stem from enhanced process control and optimized resource allocation – critical for energy-intensive industries.
This milestone is part of Borouge’s broader $575 million AI, Digitalization, and Technology program, designed to unlock substantial value by 2025. The project advances the company’s goal of creating the petrochemical industry’s first fully AI-driven control room for real-time operations.
Why This Matters
This is a major step towards wider adoption of autonomous operations in the petrochemical sector. The ability to run complex industrial processes with minimal human intervention promises significant cost savings and enhanced safety. The industry faces increasing pressure to reduce emissions and improve sustainability; AI automation offers a pathway to achieve these goals through optimized energy consumption.
The success of this proof of concept suggests that similar technologies could be deployed across other energy-intensive sectors, accelerating the shift towards smarter, more efficient industrial processes.
Strategic Partnerships and Future Plans
Borouge collaborated with both Honeywell and Yokogawa UAE Industry on separate AI-driven control room proofs of concept at its Ruwais facility. Honeywell focused on the Borouge 2 Cracker, while Yokogawa worked on the Borouge 3 Cracker.
The company is now focused on scaling these technologies across its Ruwais facilities, aiming to fully leverage the potential of autonomous operations.
Borouge operates as a joint venture between Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), holding a 54% stake, and Borealis, an Austrian petrochemical firm with 36% ownership. The company serves customers in over 90 countries, making this technology rollout globally significant.
The successful integration of AI in a live petrochemical production environment demonstrates the real-world viability of autonomous operations and sets a new standard for efficiency and sustainability in the industry.
