How can Southeast Asia’s chemicals sector stay competitive during volatility and decarbonization pressures?

Amid feedstock volatility, rising costs and increasing sustainability demands, chemical producers across Southeast Asia are rethinking how they operate and invest. For Ubolrat Wiwattanakul, Lummus’ Vice President of Southeast Asia, success depends on agility and practical innovation.

Ubolrat was recently featured in Global Business Report’s Singapore Chemicals 2026 special edition.  where she shared her insights on the region and Singapore’s role as a stable, forward-looking hub in a volatile global market.

With nearly 50 years in the region, Lummus is helping customers unlock near-term performance gains while preparing for long-term transitions. Efforts are focused on revamps, debottlenecking and AI-enabled optimization to help customers stay competitive in a shifting market.  

At the same time, bio-based pathways, particularly ethanol, are gaining traction as producers look to diversify feedstocks. Interest in ethanol-to-ethylene and ethanol-to-jet technologies is rising across the region, reflecting a shift toward more flexible and resilient production models. 

“We are prioritizing actions that improve yields, reduce utilities and enable faster cash flow gains," said Ubolrat Wiwattanakul. 

Advancing Low-Carbon and Digital Solutions
Lummus is expanding its portfolio of circular and low-carbon technologies, embedding emissions reduction into both new projects and retrofits. Meanwhile, digital tools such as advanced process control and simulation are helping customers enhance safety, efficiency and sustainability. 

Singapore continues to stand out as a regional benchmark, with clear policy direction and investment stability supporting progress amid broader market uncertainty. 

To read Ubolrat’s piece, click here. And to read the full report, click here.