Isn’t it amazing how an incubator can give a chance to a premature baby to become part of the family his parents have been dreaming of? Isn’t it encouraging to see how a dialysis machine can grant a grandfather with kidney failure the opportunity to meet his grandson?
If not for the people who exerted efforts to produce valuable materials out of mere petrochemicals, those miracles would have never materialized. Many discoveries have triumphed particularly in the field of medicine because of the world’s dependent on products that are consisted mainly of plastics. Without this, engineers and scientists could not possibly think of any alternative that would match the caliber of these products in the manufacturing industry.
The Chemical Industry
The chemical industry is a primary contributor to the development of innovative building materials and solutions that are significantly more energy-efficient, durable and better performing compared to their counterparts. From roofing to flooring, water pipes to window seals, house wraps to insulation, plastics, and other polymers deliver considerable energy savings thus, contributing to Responsible Consumption and Production and Climate Action. High-quality polyethylene (PE) piping systems also play a key role in addressing the global water challenge; they last three times longer than other pipes, suffer fewer breakages and require less maintenance.
But it is ironic that the planet’s sustainability is both nurtured and ruined because of plastic prevalence. Perhaps, this product is the human’s best and worst creation brought by both its advantageous characteristics and harmful qualities. And today, the world is pointing its finger to plastic as the number one contributor to climate change.
An estimated 19 billion pounds or more than 8.5 million metric tons of plastic wastes end up everywhere. Environmentalists are crying to diminish or eliminate the use of plastic materials, and they are continually promoting alternatives. Scientists, engineers, and manufacturers are carrying the weight of the blame on their shoulders. They are consistently experiencing drawbacks as the pressure grows. Despite that, some organizations have taken the lead to address the issue and become part of the solution.
GPCA
The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), uniting more than 250 companies in the Arabian Gulf, is committed to minimizing energy and resource consumption by practicing the principle of maximizing the value and utility of materials over their life cycle and keeping them inside the value chain for as long as possible. Aside from advancing the industry’s interests, the association is, at the same time, honing future industry leaders who will continue to innovate in digitization, artificial intelligence, and the deployment of more energy efficient technologies that can add significant value to chemical businesses in the Gulf Cooperation Countries and elsewhere.
In this feature, GPCA will elaborate the organization’s vision to make Chemical Industry’s Move Towards Sustainability and Circular Economy. Armed with its present-day innovations, the organization and its core promises to continue to create petrochemical innovations for the future.
I bet you that GPCA is a cool story to be told. And as a bonus for this month’s release, we are to give you a peek featuring different facets of the life of an engineer—starring hard facts in the professional work environment, life hacks and useful leadership guide.
You wouldn’t also want to miss tips on crafting the most effective engineering resume while finding out and landing one of 2018’s highest paying tech jobs. Get ready as well to learn the secrets of workplace coaching and its benefits for a better and more proactive leaders inside your firm.
All of that and more from this issue. Cheers to you, engineer!
