Borouge, Honeywell to develop industry-first AI control room
Borouge's AI and digitisation projected to deliver $575 million in value this year
#UAE #manufacturing - Borouge, the multi-billion dollar Abu Dhabi-listed petrochemical company, has partnered with US industrial automation leader Honeywell to develop the petrochemical industry's first AI-driven autonomous control room for full-scale operations. The proof-of-concept initiative targets Borouge's Ruwais manufacturing facilities, which could make the complex the world's largest petrochemical site with autonomous capabilities. The collaboration forms part of Borouge's AI, Digitalisation and Technology (AIDT) programme.
SO WHAT? - The UAE is home to some of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the world, with a high adoption rate of AI solutions, and Borouge is no exception. The group’s AIDT programme is expected to generate $575 million in value through machine learning and agentic AI solutions this year. Developing the new AI autonomous control centre with Honeywell is therefore a continuation of Borouge’s ongoing digital transformation. Meanwhile, as one of the petrochemical company’s key partners for many years, itis no surprise that the company turned to Honeywell as its development partner for this project.
Here are some key facts and figures related to this announcement:
ADX-listed petrochemical company Borouge has partnered with US industrial automation leader Honeywell to develop the petrochemical industry's first AI-driven autonomous control room for full-scale operations.
The partnership will deliver the petrochemical industry's first AI-driven control room designed for full-scale, real-time operation, establishing new standards for artificial intelligence applications in petrochemical manufacturing processes.
The autonomous operations deployment will focus on Borouge's Ruwais Industrial City facilities, which is one of the world's largest integrated polyolefin complexes serving customers across 86 countries.
The collaboration combines Borouge's process technology expertise with Honeywell's autonomous control capabilities to identify deployment opportunities for next-generation AI solutions within industrial manufacturing environments.
Advanced machine learning algorithms and agentic AI solutions will enable production optimisation, energy consumption reduction, enhanced safety protocols, and cost reduction across what will become the world's largest autonomous petrochemical site.
Borouge's AI, Digitalisation and Technology programme targets $575 million in value generation during 2025, building on the $573 million achieved through over 200 AIDT initiatives implemented across operations during 2024.
Borouge operates through a strategic partnership structure, with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) holding a 54% majority stake and Austrian petrochemical company Borealis maintaining a 36% ownership position.
ZOOM OUT - According to a recent study by Honeywell competitor Rockwell Automation, Middle East manufacturers have achieved the world's highest adoption rate of generative AI at 98%. The top tier of Gulf manufacturers lead global deployment of AI across quality control, cybersecurity, and energy management applications. Recent research from US industrial automation giant Rockwell Automation reveals that 96% of Saudi and UAE manufacturers are committed to broader AI and machine learning technologies, outpacing European benchmarks.
[Written and edited with the assistance of AI]
Read more about advanced manufacturing:
Saudi, UAE manufacturers lead GenAI adoption (Middle East AI News)