Aramco, Honeywell, KAUST to co-develop crude-to-chemicals tech

JUBAIL, October 3, 2025 – Saudi Aramco has signed a joint development agreement with US firm Honeywell and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) to co-develop a novel crude-to-chemicals technology, the energy players announced on Thursday.

The project aims to reduce the cost of CTC processes and extract more value from each barrel of oil by directly converting it into light olefins and other high-demand chemicals.

For more on Honeywell’s efforts to drive technological advancement in Saudi Arabia, read our latest interview with Abdullah Al Juffali, the company’s president of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, here.

The initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and seeks to advance downstream innovation and economic diversification.

Aramco said the collaboration will also improve fuel efficiency, carbon utilisation and overall process economics.

“This novel Crude-to-Chemicals process is aligned with our vision of supporting the global transition towards cleaner, high-performance chemical production,” Aramco senior vice-president of technology oversight and coordination Dr Ali A. Al-Meshari said.

Honeywell UOP president Rajesh Gattupalli said the deal marked “a defining moment” in the global evolution of CTC, adding it would “enable the Kingdom to unlock greater value from its resources while solidifying its competitive edge in the global chemicals market.”

KAUST will contribute advanced research expertise to accelerate development and national technology capabilities.

Aramco is Saudi Arabia’s national oil company and one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals enterprises. It operates across the full value chain from upstream oil and gas production to refining, petrochemicals, distribution and R&D.

Honeywell is a US-based technology company serving global industries with products and services across sectors including aerospace, building technologies, performance materials and chemicals. Honeywell UOP specialises in process technology and equipment for the oil and gas sector.

KAUST is a graduate-level research university in Saudi Arabia with a strong focus on science and technology, supporting national innovation through research and industrial partnerships.

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