Borouge and Honeywell successfully validate AI autonomous operations at Ruwais, delivering efficiency, reliability, cost, safety, and sustainability gains.
Borouge Plc has announced the successful completion of a landmark proof of concept (PoC) for artificial intelligence–enabled autonomous operations at its Ruwais manufacturing complex, marking a significant step forward in digital transformation for the global petrochemical industry. The initiative was delivered in close collaboration with Honeywell and represents a major milestone in Borouge’s ongoing efforts to enhance operational excellence, improve cost competitiveness, and strengthen its long-term growth profile.
This achievement directly aligns with Borouge’s strategic vision to leverage advanced digital technologies to optimize performance while supporting the broader ambition of ADNOC to become the world’s most AI-enabled energy company. The proof of concept builds on extensive trials conducted throughout 2025 and demonstrates tangible progress toward creating what is expected to be the petrochemical sector’s first fully AI-driven, autonomous control room capable of managing real-time, large-scale operations.
Notably, the PoC was executed in a live production environment at Borouge’s Ruwais facility, underscoring the robustness and industrial readiness of the technology. The results highlighted the significant operational benefits that AI-powered autonomous systems can deliver when deployed at scale. According to Borouge, the application of advanced analytics, machine learning, and real-time process optimization could enable efficiency improvements of up to 20%. At the same time, enhanced reliability through predictive and autonomous decision-making has the potential to reduce unplanned downtime by approximately 20%.
In addition to productivity and reliability gains, the technology demonstrated its ability to improve overall production performance while reducing operating expenses by as much as 15%. These cost efficiencies are particularly critical in an increasingly competitive global petrochemical market, where producers are under pressure to deliver higher margins while managing volatility in energy prices and demand cycles. Furthermore, the autonomous operations framework contributes to safer plant operations by minimizing human intervention in high-risk processes and supporting more consistent, data-driven decision-making.
Sustainability outcomes also featured prominently in the PoC results. By optimizing process conditions and energy usage in real time, the AI-enabled system significantly reduces energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. This supports Borouge’s wider sustainability objectives and reinforces its commitment to responsible production practices that align with regional and global decarbonization goals.
Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, Chief Executive Officer of Borouge, emphasized that the milestone reflects the company’s disciplined approach to growth and value creation. He noted that advancing autonomous operations in partnership with Honeywell not only enhances operational efficiency but also strengthens Borouge’s competitive positioning, while contributing meaningfully to ADNOC’s AI-focused transformation agenda.
The initiative forms a central pillar of Borouge’s AI, Digitalisation & Technology (AI DT) programme, which targeted $575 million in value generation during 2025. This programme encompasses a broad portfolio of AI- and digitally driven projects designed to deliver measurable operational impact, improve asset performance, and create sustainable long-term shareholder value.
Jim Masso, President and CEO of Honeywell Process Automation, highlighted that the collaboration illustrates how AI-enabled autonomous operations can be implemented safely and effectively in complex, live industrial settings. He underscored the scalability of connected industrial solutions in delivering substantial improvements in efficiency, reliability, and performance across large production networks.
Following the successful completion of the proof of concept, Borouge plans to progress further validation work and evaluate opportunities to scale autonomous operations across its wider Ruwais assets, positioning the company at the forefront of AI-led transformation in the petrochemical sector.
