EQUATE & Gulf Cryo Official inaugurate Kuwait’s 1st CO2 plant under the patronage of the Minister of Commerce & Industry titled “Partners Towards A Clean Environment”

EQUATE Petrochemical Company, Kuwait’s first international joint-venture in this industry, and Gulf Cryo, a leading manufacturer of industrial, medical and specialty gases in the MENA region, hosted an official ceremony for the inauguration of Kuwait’s first Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Plant under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Commerce & Industry Dr. Yousef Al-Ali.

During the inauguration, Al-Ali said, “It is a source of great pleasure to join you in this inauguration as it coincides with Kuwait’s national celebrations, which includes Kuwait’s 55th National Day, 25th Liberation Day, the 10th Anniversary of the accession of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, as well as the 10th Anniversary of naming His Highness Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah as the Crown Prince of Kuwait. Throughout the years, Kuwait has realized a number of accomplishments in developing the industrial sector as a key contributor to diversifying income sources, utilizing latest technology, increasing the role of productive fields, and, most importantly, attracting highly qualified human resources with their innovative capabilities. All of these are in alignment with the directions of His Highness the Amir to turn Kuwait into a financial and economic hub to serve the nation and its people. The Ministry of Commerce & Industry, through all relevant bodies, has executed strategies in accordance with latest industrial developments, especially locally. This sustainable partnership between EQUATE and Gulf Cryo is a positive step for a partnership in industrial, economic and environmental fields in Kuwait to embody ‘Partners in Success.’ Without any doubt, continuing this partnership and launching similar initiatives would deliver multi-lateral benefits.” 

Gulf Cryo Vice Chairman Saad Al-Shuwaib said, “The CO2 plant is a pioneering environmental initiative to preserve and protect Kuwait’s environment. It is a reflection of the commitment by industrial bodies to the environment. This plant is truly a milestone as it is partnership between two private entities, EQUATE and Gulf Cryo that resulted in establishing the plant within record time while maintaining global best practices through utilizing the latest technology to manufacture high quality products. This has contributed to Gulf Cryo’s products being certifies as food-grade and we have become a pioneer in supplying CO2 to various industrial bodies. We hope such partnerships by the private sector would continue in collaboration with government organizations to launch other partnership benefitting the society and nation.

EQUATE President & CEO Mohammad Husain said, “Throughout the years, EQUATE’s history has been filled with achievements. The main achievements for EQUATE are the Partnerships we have established with our stakeholders, such as our employees, government organizations and business partners. Starting our collaboration with Gulf Cryo since 2004 is truly an example of ‘Partners in Success’ to ensure sustainable economic, environmental and industrial added-values for Kuwait and beyond. Partnerships are a key element in our overall sustainability efforts. Our partnership with Gulf Cryo is about sustainability-based environmental excellence to protect the environment by reducing the carbon footprint and replacing conventional CO2 sources. It is not only about having the 1st plant, it is also relevant to building on this development to secure additional progress and growth. This can be achieved through having overall integration between industrial bodies in partnership with official organizations, such as the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Environment Public Authority (EPA), Public Authority for Industry (PAI), Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD), Ministry of Interior’s Directorate General for Vital security and others with us today for this celebration. Gulf Cryo and EQUATE have taken a step, and we hope other more sustainable steps will follow. Thank you for joining us today and we hope to continue this partnership.”

Launching collaboration for Kuwait’s First Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Plant, EQUATE Petrochemical Company and Gulf Cryo continue reflecting “Partners in Success.” Aimed at achieving a number of economic, industrial and environmental added-values for overall sustainability in Kuwait, this plant is part of innovation-based initiatives by EQUATE and Gulf Cryo in their business partnership that commenced in 2004.  With a design capacity of 280 metric tons per day, the plant involves EQUATE providing raw CO2 resulting from its industrial operations to Gulf Cryo. In turn, Gulf Cryo enhances the quality of CO2 to be used in various commercial applications by its customers. Through the recovery and recycling of CO2, the two companies are implementing world-class practices to protect the environment by reducing the carbon footprint and replacing conventional CO2 sources from burning fuels. In addition, the partnership is a prime example for integration between industrial organizations and economic diversification for Kuwait.

Milestones

• 2012: EQUATE signed the agreement to provide Gulf Cryo with raw CO2.
• 2014: Beginning of plant construction.
• 2014: Gulf Cryo commenced operations at the new plant.
• 2016: Official Inauguration.