<article><p class="lead">Projections that show global petrochemical demand increasing by 60pc in 15 years are "conservative," as solar panels and other energy transition materials will soak up these products, a Saudi Arabian energy ministry official said.</p><p>Saudi Arabia is working to double its own capacity for petrochemical production in about 10 years, assistant energy minister for oil and gas Mohammed A Al-Brahim said at the <i>World Petroleum Congress </i>in Calgary, Canada, today. </p><p>This will be done mainly by increasing integration at Saudi Arabia's own refineries to produce petrochemicals needed for projects both in the Middle East and globally.</p><p>A transition in building and construction materials from higher-emissions steel and concrete to petrochemical-based materials, such as polymers, will also boost demand, he said. </p><p>Not only can these materials reduce emissions, but they could also potentially last longer and be more sustainable.</p><p>A Al-Brahim sees India and China as also leading this development, both for petrochemicals and refined products. </p><p>Without the buildout, "otherwise you won't be able to build the [transition] facilities that you want to build," he said. While there is also an expansion underway globally in refining capacity, the petrochemical portion "is even more critical."</p><p class="bylines">By Carla Bass</p></article>
