Borealis and Borouge are the principal sponsors of inaugural International Water Summit in Abu Dhabi

Borealis and Borouge, leading providers of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, have confirmed their commitment to water sustainable solutions by announcing their principal sponsorship of the inaugural International Water Summit taking place alongside the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE from January 15–17, 2013.

Mark Garrett, Borealis Chief Executive, Abdulaziz Alhajri CEO of Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) and Wim Roels, CEO of Borouge’s Marketing & Sales Company confirmed that the sponsorship of the International Water Summit builds on their significant investments in improving the availability of water to millions of people around the world.

Abdulaziz Alhajri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Polymers Company (Borouge) stated that avoiding water wastage particularly in industry is extremely important to ensure water sustainability. “Encouraged by Borealis’ assessment of its Water Footprint at its European plants, Borouge established and implemented in 2011 a comprehensive Water Footprint Programme to characterize the nature and scale of Borouge’s current water footprint and identify the opportunities to improve overall management. Poor water practices and water leakage can waste millions of litres of the world’s precious water each year, and we are very pleased that water wastage, along with water efficiency in agriculture and industry are on the agenda for the International Water Summit.”

Wim Roels, CEO of Borouge’s Marketing & Sales Company added “Urbanisation is putting more strain on urban water distribution and sanitation systems. The development of durable plastics pipe solutions at Borouge significantly reduces non-revenue water or water leaks and contributes to improving this situation. Through the Water for the World Programme, Borouge and Borealis support many initiatives with NGOs such as the WSUP (Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor), to improve water, sanitation and hygiene conditions in the poorest communities in the world.”

In April 2012, Borouge was presented with an ADNOC 2011 HSE award in the Sustainability category for its active engagement of the Water for the World™ initiative and another in the Environment category for implementation of the Water Footprint programme at its plant in Abu Dhabi.

“We are a part of the global society and in our daily work we are passionate and committed to contributing with innovative plastics solutions that bring water sustainability and efficiency forward,” said Mark Garrett, Borealis Chief Executive. “In addition to our active Water for the World initiative and membership of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, partnering with the International Water Summit demonstrates Borealis’ commitment to these challenges and hopes to further inspire other industry players.”

“The International Water Summit will draw together many of the most influential people in government, NGOs and in the industry to the Middle East region with whom we will be able to debate these important issues, encouraging cross-sector dialogue which is crucial for building a common understanding and partnerships,” added Abdulaziz Alhajri. “We will welcome a wider discussion of water issues specifically in the Middle East and how the region can support other regions in understanding and solving these issues, and look forward to raising awareness about the major role industry/business can play in contributing to this with solutions.”

Borouge, a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and the Austrian-based Borealis, with headquarters in Abu Dhabi, the UAE, and Singapore, is currently investing in a new Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi that will play a crucial role in the development of an increasing number of efficient water saving plastics solutions.

Peter McConnell, Show Director for the International Water Summit, welcomed the strong support of Borouge and Borealis as principal sponsors. “Water wastage and evaporation are key challenges facing the water industry, and the substantial efforts by Borouge and Borealis to drive innovation on these issues, particularly in the arid region of the Middle East, will go a long way towards finding global solutions to water sustainability which can be applied locally.”

The International Water Summit is a new global platform for promoting water sustainability and the water-energy nexus in arid regions. As a natural extension of the UAE’s commitment to sustainability, the International Water Summit will bring together policy makers, scientists and business leaders to tackle the urgent challenges of wastewater and water access and security.

The International Water Summit (January 15 -17, 2013) is hosted by Masdar, Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted renewable energy company, with Borouge and Borealis being the principal sponsors and the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority as the strategic partner.

The International Water Summit will be co-located with the World Future Energy Summit, also hosted by Masdar, as part of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (January 13 – 17, 2013), alongside the International Renewable Energy Conference in Abu Dhabi (ADIREC) and the 3rd session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).