GPCA Awards Spotlight Pioneers of Sustainability and Responsible Care® in the Chemical Industry

Manama, Bahrain, October 2024 – The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA), the voice of the chemical industry in the Arabian Gulf, proudly recognized outstanding achievements in sustainability and Responsible Care® excellence during a special awards ceremony held alongside the 6^th GPCA Responsible Care Conference on 14 October 2025 at the Sheraton Bahrain Hotel, Manama.

The evening marked a dual celebration of industry and youth innovation through the 2^nd GPCA Carbon Neutrality Cup and 4^th GPCA Responsible Care® Excellence Awards. These prestigious programs showcased impactful initiatives from leading chemical companies and university teams across the region, spotlighting advancements in energy efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, waste management, process safety, and community engagement.

This year’s Carbon Neutrality Cup attracted 70 applications from 20 universities, with eight finalist teams presenting their projects before a jury of industry experts and top regional leaders. The competition recognized outstanding student-led innovations addressing the chemical industry’s transition toward a low-carbon, sustainable future. The winners are:

• Postgraduate Category – 1^st Place: Dr. Shabib Al Rashdi, National University of Science and Technology (NUST) – Circular Economy Pathways for Green Hydrogen
• Postgraduate Category – 2^nd Place: Maimuna Zarewa Umar and Maria Abdul Karim, KFUPM – PetroSensor
• Undergraduate Category – 1^st Place: Dima and Dina Alotaibi, Kuwait University – CODA: Carbon-Negative Soda Ash
• Undergraduate Category – 2^nd Place: Tesnim Bouhanna and Nourah Al Shaibani, Australian University in Kuwait – Decarbonizing Kuwait’s Refineries

Recognizing the highest standards of performance in health, safety, security, and environmental stewardship, the 4^th edition of the Responsible Care® Excellence Awards received 80 submissions from across the GCC. The winners demonstrated exceptional commitment to continuous improvement and operational excellence, contributing to a safer and more sustainable industry. The award winners are:

• Performance Metrics (Operational Excellence): Winner – QAFCO | Runner-up – OQ
• Community Awareness: Winner – Sadara | Runner-up – S-Chem
• Sustainable Environmental Protection: Winner – Fertil | Runner-up – Sadara
• Process Safety: Winner – QAPCO | Runner-up – SIPCHEM
• Rising Star Award: Joint Winners – Emad Al Zahrani (S-Chem), Ebrahim Al Hadiyah (PIC) | Runner-up – Maryam Al Khater (QAPCO)
• Best Contractor Award: Winner – Expertise | Runner-up – Alfred Talke

Commenting on the Awards, Dr. Abdulwahab Al Sadoun, Secretary General, GPCA, commented: “GPCA’s Awards reflect the region’s growing commitment to sustainability, safety, and innovation. From industry leaders to emerging talent, the level of engagement and quality of submissions this year was truly inspiring. I extend my sincere congratulations to all winners, finalists, and participants for their dedication and contributions to shaping a safer, more sustainable future.”

To learn more about the 4^th GPCA Responsible Care Excellence Awards, visit: www.gpcaresponsiblecare.com/awards

To learn more about the 2^nd GPCA Carbon Neutrality Cup, visit: www.gpca.org.ae/conferences/rcc/gpca-carbon-neutrality-cup