The multinational chemical corporation Dow Chemical Company has opened a new innovation centre at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, aiming to address critical needs in the kingdom such as increasing energy efficiency and minimising the environmental footprint
Located in KAUST’s Research and Technology Park, the centre will house Dow’s research and development facilities and the newly established Dow Digital Marketplace Centre for the region. State-of-the-art labs, research areas and offices are set to provide application development and technical service focused on oil and gas technology solutions, sustainable coating and construction solutions and industrial chemicals for a variety of applications.
According to Dow, the centre’s completion marks a significant stage in the growth of the KAUST Research and Technology Park, which is home to leading companies from Saudi Arabia and around the world. Nesma and Partners Contracting Co. Ltd. has been the official contractor for the Dow building and architectural firms HOK and Kirksey Architects designed exterior and interior of the centre respectively with Vanderweil Engineers delivering the MEP engineering.
Chuck Swartz, president of Dow for Saudi Arabia, stated, “This facility is perfectly aligned to Dow’s strategy and our commitment to this region, employing a highly skilled workforce, a number already are graduates from KAUST with diverse backgrounds in science and engineering.”
In addition to the cutting-edge research and innovation which will come to define the centre’s work, it will also serve as a unique hub for direct knowledge exchange and talent development between KAUST and Dow. Through mutual collaboration including internships and research experience for KAUST students, postdocs and researchers, to opportunities for further academic pursuits and training of Dow’s employees, the centre will be crucial in continuing to shape and drive KAUST’s intellectual ecosystem.
