Consulting Leaders to Drive Strategic Dialogue at GPCA Chemicals Forum 2025

The Annual GPCA Forum in Bahrain, from December 8-11, will feature leading consulting firms guiding strategic discussions for the downstream hydrocarbon industry. Five key consultants from firms like McKinsey and BCG will headline sessions on crucial topics including AI’s impact, high-impact partnerships, innovation, carbon management, and global chemical value chains. The forum aims to help CEOs and executives navigate emerging trends, foster collaborations, and accelerate sustainable growth within the chemical and petrochemical sectors across the Gulf region.

The Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA) is set to host its flagship annual forum in Bahrain from December 8-11, 2025, bringing together a high-level contingent of CEOs, senior executives, policymakers, academics, and technology providers. This pivotal event, representing the Arabian Gulf's downstream hydrocarbon industry, will serve as a platform for exploring industry trends, forging strategic partnerships, showcasing innovations—particularly in sustainability—and facilitating networking across the value chain.A central feature of the 2025 forum is the significant involvement of five prominent consulting leaders, who will steer key sessions and offer profound insights. David Champagne from McKinsey & Company will deliver a keynote on 'Intelligence at Scale: AI’s Breakthrough Moment for Chemicals,' focusing on AI's role in boosting R&D productivity. Discussions on strategic partnerships, including joint ventures and alliances, will be led by Van Grondelle from BCG’s Global Advantage practice. Innovation strategies, balancing demand-led opportunities with technology-driven advances, will be addressed by De Paepe, highlighting AI's impact on research. Toumazi, CEO of FGE and NexantECA, will guide discussions on 'Technology Pathways Powering GCC’s Carbon Capture & Storage Ambitions,' emphasizing carbon management and sustainability. Finally, Bruce from Transformation X will explore 'Chemical Value Chains in a Multipolar Global Economy,' covering procurement and supply chain services. Notably, four of these five contributing consulting firms were recently recognized among the Top Chemicals Consulting Firms in the Middle East for 2025. Their collective expertise promises to make the GPCA forum a crucial strategic platform for shaping the chemicals industry’s future, enabling companies to navigate trends, strengthen collaborations, and accelerate sustainable growth in the Gulf region.