Leon de Bruyn, President and CEO of Lummus Technology, said: “Lummus and KMG are working together to deliver transformative projects, and this will strengthen our collaboration. By combining Lummus’ digital and technology expertise with KMG’s leadership in the region, we can deliver solutions that will build a strong talent pipeline and shape the future of Kazakhstan’s petrochemical industry.”
KMG Chairman Askhat Khassenov added: “Digitalization is key to achieving safer, more efficient and sustainable operations. Through this partnership with Lummus, we are developing a smarter, more resilient petrochemical industry that supports Kazakhstan’s long-term economic and strategic goals.”
The Atyrau center will be modeled on Lummus’ existing digital centers of excellence in the U.S. and India. These facilities provide operators, engineers, and technology specialists with simulation-based training and interactive scenarios that replicate real-world petrochemical environments using Lummus’ Operator Skills Sharpening Simulator (O3S™) system. The immersive platform allows users to develop and refine the skills required to operate modern, technology-driven plants effectively.
Lummus serves as the technology licensor for several major projects in Kazakhstan. Its technologies are implemented at Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. (KPI), which uses Lummus’ propane dehydrogenation and polypropylene solutions. Additionally, Lummus is licensing its ethylene technology to Silleno LLP, constructing Kazakhstan’s first polyethylene plant, and multiple petrochemical technologies to Butadiene LLP, developing the country’s first synthetic rubbers production facility.
The partnership and the Atyrau digital center are expected to enhance workforce capability, promote operational efficiency, and support the adoption of advanced technologies in the nation’s petrochemical sector. By providing hands-on training and industry-relevant skills, the center aims to prepare engineers and operators to meet the evolving demands of modern chemical processing facilities.
This collaboration reflects the broader trend of integrating digitalization and simulation-based training in the energy and chemicals industries. By leveraging Lummus’ global expertise and KMG’s regional presence, the initiative seeks to foster a resilient, skilled workforce and enable the safe, efficient, and sustainable operation of Kazakhstan’s petrochemical assets.
The digital center is part of ongoing efforts to position Kazakhstan as a technologically advanced petrochemical hub in Central Asia, supporting long-term economic growth and competitiveness in global markets.
The agreement underscores the commitment of both Lummus and KMG to drive innovation, workforce development, and operational excellence across the country’s chemical and petrochemical industries.
