Honeywell Technologies has secured a key role in Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company’s (GPIC) planned aromatics complex in Bahrain, bringing proven process technologies to a project designed to deliver 1.7 million metric tons of paraxylene and benzene annually.
The complex will be developed at GPIC’s existing industrial site in Sitra and is expected to produce approximately 1.2 million metric tons of paraxylene and 500,000 metric tons of benzene each year. Both products are critical feedstocks for plastics, polyester fibres and packaging materials, positioning the project to serve demand across consumer and industrial markets.
Honeywell Technologies UOP will supply technology licensing, engineering and associated services, alongside catalysts, adsorbents and equipment. The project will use UOP’s Naphtha Hydrotreating, CCR Platforming and LDPX Aromatics Complex technologies.
The selection marks another step in GPIC’s plans to strengthen its production capabilities and expand its position in the petrochemical value chain.
"By collaborating with Honeywell Technologies UOP on this new aromatics complex, we are investing in world-class technologies that will strengthen our production capabilities, support long-term industrial growth and enable us to meet evolving market demand for essential petrochemical products." said Yasser A Rahim Alabbasi, Chief Executive Officer of GPIC.
For Honeywell, the project reinforces its technology portfolio and its relationship with one of Bahrain’s established petrochemical producers.
"GPIC's selection of Honeywell Technologies UOP reflects its confidence in our technologies and execution capabilities," said Mohamed Sami, General Manager Saudi Arabia and Bahrain for Process Technology, Honeywell Technologies. "This project will help enable the efficient production of high-value petrochemical products while strengthening the Kingdom of Bahrain's industrial base."
The new complex builds on years of collaboration between the two companies. Their previous work has included pressure swing adsorption technology, adsorbents and process automation solutions at GPIC’s ammonia and methanol facilities.
The latest project extends that relationship into aromatics production, adding capacity for two major petrochemical building blocks while supporting GPIC’s long-term growth ambitions.
With planned annual output of 1.7 million metric tons of paraxylene and benzene combined, the complex is set to become a significant addition to Bahrain’s petrochemical infrastructure. The companies have not disclosed a project completion date or investment value in the announcement.
