Asia Pacific is the most exciting region for petrochemicals. Driven by rapid economic growth in very populous countries, petrochemicals demand is soaring. But with expansion comes significant challenges especially during the economic downturn.

The key to future success in Asia Pacific - and indeed in the rest of the world - will be innovation.  Innovation in accessing energy, in providing new chemical feedstock sources and developing cleaner more energy efficient technology and products.

In China, where the population is already 1.3 billion, demand for energy and petrochemicals is soaring. In 2006 alone, China expanded its electricity capacity by an amount broadly equivalent to that generated by all of the power stations in one of Western Europe’s larger countries. There is similar accelerating growth in India. The period between 2000 to 2006 saw the highest growth in Southeast Asia’s petrochemicals industry.

The resultant growth in demand for petrochemicals in Asia Pacific between 2006 and 2011 is expected to be 5.9%, almost twice the rate of growth anticipated in the Americas and Europe.

Against this phenomenal numbers, meanwhile, the credit and financial crisis in the last quarter of 2008 brings new challenges to the petrochemical and refinery industries. Along with the volatile prices of oil, the forces that shape the industry are spurring innovation as well as regulations that any player -- big or small -- will have to keep pace with.

Demand for petrochemical products and raw materials will not likely decrease, but the pressure on companies to improve efficiencies and to protect -- and still expand -- markets is greater than ever.

Call for Exhibition	Who should attend
PRA 2010 will see a crucial industry coming together at a crucial time. With oil and petrochemical products touching historic highs, the demand for efficiencies, best practices, and industry-saving innovations have also never been greater. Equally important as the exhibit and trade halls, therefore, are a series of workshops and lectures that PRA 2010 will organize and host. Experts are invited to submit abstracts of presentations that can be included in the PRA 2009 program, addressing the following themes: View full details	Managing Directors / Presidents, Vice Presidents, Directors, Sales / Marketing / Business Development Managers, Trading Managers, Executives, Analysts Senior management Refinery engineers and managers Research and development managers Investors Venture capitalists Plant managers Corrosion specialists Chemical engineers Pollution control specialists Project construction managers Suppliers Consultancies Investors and venture capitalists View full details