MEPEC has grown both in terms of participation to the conferences and the size of the exhibition

MEPEC 2017, the Middle East’s definitive event for process engineers, will take place from October 9 to 11 at the Bahrain International Convention and Exhibition Centre with an exciting lineup of industry initiatives and thought provoking content to get industry leaders and process engineers involved by engaging them in technical conversations, where they will find solutions to current industry challenges and network to create beneficial partnerships to optimise the future of process engineering.

Since it debuted in 2011, MEPEC (Middle East Process Engineering Conference) has grown considerably, both in terms of participation to the conferences and the size of the exhibition. This year, the show anticipates reaching over 1,800 delegates, 200 exhibitors and over 2,500 visitors over the three-day event.

Keeping in line with global issues, this year, MEPEC will focus on "Sustainable Growth through Process Innovation & Downstream Integration". The show will feature global perspectives on topics such as Digitalisation Revolution and Volume to Value across the business.

A staple of the show and one of the key attractions at MEPEC is the workshops facilitated by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) Academy. The workshops titled ‘The Keys to Managing a Capital Project Successfully’ and ‘Spreadsheet Problem-Solving for Chemical Engineers’ are run concurrently from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on October 10 and 11.

Special emphasis will be placed on detail planning, monitoring and controlling a capital project, and the use of quantitative risk analysis as the basis of cost and schedule contingency. Participants can join chemical engineer and Excel expert David Clough and learn tips and techniques unknown to many engineers that will help solve chemical engineering problems faster and accurately.

MEPEC’s technical sessions feature four main topics – Process Design and Development, Process Excellence, Sustainability and Downstream Integration for Value Creation.

This year, the technical programme will focus on the key priorities for the region, whilst bringing synergy and collaboration between industries. There will be 48 technical presentations delivered by the leading regional and international key players including Sabic, Saudi Aramco, Shell, Bapco, Tasnee, Honeywell, Sadara Chemical Company, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Rexa Inc and AspenTech.

Additionally, MEPEC aims to bring together industry leaders, students and professionals alike for a high- impact scientific exchange during the iPoster sessions. Throughout the three days, there will be 42 digital posters displayed, providing an interactive platform for authors and visitors to engage and transfer knowledge.

Also not to be missed is the second AIChE Middle East Regional Chem-E-Car Competition, the only competition of its kind in the region, which challenges undergraduate students to develop and construct a car powered by a chemical or a biochemical energy source, which will safely transport a specified weight over a given distance and then stop. Ten universities from the region will compete on October 10.

ChemME is key initiative of MEPEC that gives graduates, undergraduates and young professionals in the region a chance to learn from leaders in their industry, solve design challenges, attend technical debates and join in a plant tour of Bapco.

MEPEC in partnership with CH9 is bringing together a unique platform devoted to the demonstration of novel techniques, cutting-edge innovations and new inventions in process engineering.

The innovation zone offers a lively, interactive experience to all participants demonstrating solutions, applications, and technologies on specific industry challenges. The initiative styled ICZ – Innovation & Commercialisation Zone gives startups a platform to showcase their creative solution, proof of concept designs and working prototypes to the region’s premier audience of process engineers.

Perhaps the most crucial initiative of MEPEC, LEWA (Leadership Excellence for Women Awards), is an award programme dedicated to recognising professional excellence in women from the oil and gas industry. Women engineers are among some of the most distinguished contributors to the engineering community. The award programme honours achievements in academics, corporate excellence, women in achievement and a male corporate champion who’s made a significant contribution in promoting women diversity in the workplace.

Located with MEPEC, also taking place for the first time, is the Women’s Symposium on October 11, which will feature the best minds in the industry who will share success stories and deliver workshops in leadership and personal industry tracks.

With an exciting lineup and an action-packed agenda MEPEC continues to be a visionary forum allowing leaders and experts to address technical issues and collaborate to witness growth in the industry.