NPRA ‘07: New opportunities seen for petrochem

25 March 2007 23:24  [Source: ICIS news]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (ICIS news)--There will be a boom in opportunities in the energy and petrochemicals sector as companies seek to meet growing demand through new technologies, said a senior Royal Dutch Shell executive on Sunday.

“Adapting to change is what our industry has been good at,” said Robert Routs, executive director, downstream (oil products and chemicals) of Royal Dutch Shell at the 32nd National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA).

“By marshalling new technologies, we will be able to secure our future.”

World energy usage will increase by 50% by 2030, and energy companies will need to develop a wide variety of technologies to meet demand, he said.

These new technologies include wind, solar, gas-to-liquids, hydrogen, as well as second generation biofuels such as cellulosic ethanol and producing synthetics fuels and liquids from biomass, according to Routs.

“This can open up new opportunities for the petrochemical industry as they gain wide-scale access to new feedstocks,” he said.

The energy and petrochemical industries must meet the challenges of greater environmental scrutiny from governments and increasing consciousness among the public by exploring these technologies, added Routs.

“The political and environmental challenges are huge, but they will be met. Few other industries have the potential to change lives and drive progress,” he said.

By: Joseph Chang
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