Recent developments
Upstream and supply security
Supply diversification and upstream exploration were active. ORLEN signed a contract with Equinor for Johan Sverdrup crude, while TotalEnergies secured exploration licenses in Nigeria and Galp acquired a 27.5% stake in Block 4 offshore São Tomé. Equinor and Shell advanced their joint venture, Adura, as Angola reviewed Azule Energy progress with Eni.
Circular feedstocks grow
Chemical recycling and circular feedstocks advanced. Gunvor and New Energy agreed supply of tire-derived pyrolysis oil; Plastic Energy and SABIC produced first recycled oil at Geleen; Versalis and Veritas targeted EPS waste recycling; and Braskem previewed circular and bio-based grades ahead of K 2025 in Düsseldorf.
Refining transitions advance
Refinery conversions and alternative routes progressed. Worley for FEED verification at Lysekil supports Preem’s shift to renewable diesel and SAF, while Moeve and the Global Impact Coalition advanced a methanol-based pathway to e-SAF via MTO. In Japan, Asahi Kasei, Mitsui, and Mitsubishi formed a limited liability partnership to enhance ethylene manufacturing, and the ADNOC Board's Executive Committee reviewed TA’ZIZ chemical build-out.
Utilities and efficiency projects
Utilities and energy efficiency were prioritized. Veolia, Marafiq, and Lamar agreed on an industrial water initiative in Jubail for SATORP; MOL launched geothermal exploration at the Danube Refinery; and the Midia Marine Terminal completed an offshore terminal turnaround to maintain crude flows to Petromidia.
Logistics and digitalization
Transport and planning capabilities evolved. Toray Industries and T2 began an autonomous truck trial for petrochemical transport using carbon‑neutral fuels; Evonik Oxeno upgraded its cloud-based planning platform for scenario-driven supply chain decisions; and TECNIMONT and SSEC hosted the Local Value Shared Growth Forum to build a local procurement base in Kazakhstan.