Inside Borouge: The UAE's petrochemical powerhouse

Inside Borouge: The UAE's petrochemical powerhouse

Author: The National News April 1, 2026 Duration: 11:56
In this special episode of Business Extra, host Khaled Abuljebain sits down with Yan Martin Nufer, chief financial officer of Abu Dhabi-based Borouge, to explore how one of the region’s industrial giants is driving long-term value through innovation, technology and strategic expansion. From delivering one of the largest IPOs in the UAE to returning more than $15.5 billion in dividends, Borouge has positioned itself at the forefront of the global materials sector. Mr Nufer explains how Borouge’s proprietary technology is shaping next-generation materials, improving product durability, efficiency and sustainability across applications from medical devices to advanced packaging and energy systems. The conversation also looks ahead to the Borouge 4 plant in Al Ruwais, a $6.2 billion mega-project nearing completion, and how next-generation manufacturing platforms are expanding the company’s capabilities to serve global demand. Mr Nufer also discusses the company’s global ambitions, including potential expansion into China, and the broader vision behind building a more resilient, globally integrated materials business. Borouge is a UAE-based petrochemicals company that produces advanced plastics used across industries from health care and infrastructure to energy and manufacturing. Formed through a partnership between Adnoc and Borealis, it combines access to energy resources with cutting-edge materials technology, supplying high-performance products to global markets.

Tune into Business Extra for a clear-eyed look at the forces shaping commerce in the Middle East and beyond. Produced by The National News, this podcast moves past the headlines to deliver substantive conversations with the analysts, executives, and innovators driving change. Each episode leans on the deep regional expertise of our editors and reporters, who translate complex developments in markets, energy, and technology into accessible insights. You’ll hear grounded discussions that connect local trends to global patterns, offering a necessary perspective on one of the planet's most dynamic economic landscapes. Whether it's a shift in oil policy, a tech startup's rise, or a new trade agreement, this series provides the context often missing from daily news cycles. For anyone with a stake in understanding how business really works in this pivotal region, Business Extra is an essential listen, blending authoritative journalism with genuine curiosity. The result is a consistently informative podcast that feels less like a briefing and more like a series of insightful conversations with people who have their finger on the pulse.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Business Extra
Podcast Episodes
Front Office Sports founder on the business of sport [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:34
There is more to sport than wins and losses, the sports business comprises many factors, including the athletes, their training methods, their agents, franchises, media coverage and the team owners as well. So what’s the…
How did Snapchat win the GCC market? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:31
In 2011, amid the Arab uprisings, other protests around the world and the rise of social media, Snapchat emerged with a unique concept. The app pioneered by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown allowed images sha…
Social Media Edition - History, hopes and hurdles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:39
In this introductory episode of the Business Extra podcast, host Cody Combs delves into the evolution of the internet from its early days, the rise of social media and future prospects of platforms. For younger generatio…
Matt Dalio’s plan to improve education through gaming [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:36
As the saying goes, life isn’t all fun and games, or is it? That’s part of the idea behind Endless Studios, a youth-focused game-making studio and learning hub, which is also on a mission to empower students all over the…
From World Economic Forum: Where will electric vehicles be in 2030? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:29
More than 700 government officials, international organisations, politicians, corporate leaders and entrepreneurs have been gathering for two days in Riyadh for the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) special meeting to address…
What is the role of AI in global sustainability? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:10
How can environmental sustainability and corporate responsibility come together? As the world commemorates the 54th Earth Day this week, host Cody Combs leads a discussion centred on the evolving role of an environmental…