Aramco, Honeywell, and KAUST Partner to Develop Technology to Advance Capabilities of Crude-to-Chemicals

Saudi Aramco, Honeywell, and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) to co-develop a next-generation direct Crude-to-Chemicals (CTC) technology.

 The collaboration will focus on developing and scaling up the complete CTC process. This initiative aims to significantly reduce both capital and operating costs associated with CTC conversion.

 According to a KAUST press release, the new CTC pathway is designed to extract significant value from each barrel of crude oil by converting it directly into light olefins and other high-demand chemicals. The innovative CTC process concept is expected to enhance fuel efficiency, carbon utilization, and process economics, enabling more efficient and cost-effective production at scale.

 The collaboration supports Saudi Vision 2030 by advancing economic diversification, building national research and technology capabilities, and strengthening the Kingdom’s position in the petrochemicals industry. It represents a strategic alignment among industrial know-how, academic excellence, and market ambition, delivering a platform for high-impact innovation.

 Senior Vice President of Technology Oversight and Coordination at Aramco Dr. Ali Al-Meshari said: “This collaboration with Honeywell UOP and KAUST furthers Aramco's efforts to drive innovation and shape the future of petrochemicals. By harnessing the power of cutting-edge technologies, we aim to enhance energy efficiency and unlock increased value from every barrel of crude. This novel Crude-to-Chemicals process is aligned with our vision of supporting the global transition towards cleaner, high-performance chemical production. Moreover, this initiative demonstrates our focus on contributing to the growth of a vibrant ecosystem, where the deployment of innovative technologies can create lasting value for our stakeholders, our communities, and the environment.”

 Honeywell UOP President Rajesh Gattupalli said: “This agreement marks a defining moment in our strategic collaboration with Aramco and KAUST, and in the global evolution of Crude-to-Chemicals technology. With Honeywell UOP’s deep expertise in catalytic process design and commercial scale-up, we are well-positioned to drive this innovation forward. The outcome is expected to enhance energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and enable the Kingdom to unlock greater value from its resources while solidifying its competitive edge in the global chemicals market.”

 Senior Vice President of KAUST's National Transformation Institute Dr. Ian Campbell commented: “At KAUST, we believe that impactful science must translate into industrial solutions. This collaboration brings our research expertise together with the world-class engineering and R&D capabilities of Honeywell UOP and Aramco to address a major opportunity in the petrochemicals industry. It is a model for how academia and industry can jointly accelerate technology development in support of Saudi Arabia’s innovation-driven economy.”

 KAUST’s involvement, the release stated, brings leading-edge scientific expertise into industrial development, ensuring that research, design, and innovation move in lockstep. The collaboration underscores the value of integrating applied research with market-driven objectives to accelerate technology readiness and national capability.