MELBOURNE – Pakistan’s oil and chemical sectors stand at a crossroads, poised to leap into a sustainable future with green refining innovation. As petroleum imports soar and the world pivots to eco-friendly fuels, Today Pakistan News explores how this shift could transform challenges into a golden opportunity for the nation.
Unlike global giants with entrenched petrochemical frameworks, Pakistan’s lean industry offers a rare chance to sidestep outdated systems—much like mobile phones bypassed landlines. Green refineries, powered by renewable energy to process crops, waste, air, and water into oils, chemicals, and fertilizers, could meet domestic needs and position Pakistan as a green export hub. “It’s a clean slate for a cleaner future,” says Dr. Ahmed Khan, an Australia-based biorefinery CTO and author.
Take bioethanol plants—early green refinery models—or cutting-edge projects like Australia’s carbon dioxide-to-plastics tech using microbes. These advances, producing dimethyl ether (a natural gas substitute) alongside aviation fuel, ammonia, and methanol, promise to slash emissions and even reverse climate damage. “Global refineries are scaling up—some hitting a million tonnes annually by 2030,” Khan notes, citing trials powering grids and vehicles.
Pakistan’s candidates for green refining include sustainable aviation fuel (needing fertile land for crops or waste), green ammonia (using water, air, and solar/wind), and emerging plastics tech. While ammonia and fuel refineries can scale massively, plastics remain smaller-scale—for now. Khan envisions Punjab’s fertile plains or Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s hydropower fueling these ventures.
Yet, hurdles loom. Pakistan lacks the machinery and skilled workforce to kickstart this shift. “Foreign partnerships with Europe, China, or North America are a must initially,” Khan advises, pointing to their tech leadership. Local workers can upskill, but universities must partner globally to train the next generation. “Research ties with pioneers will keep us cutting-edge,” he adds.
Funding, however, is less daunting. Green projects attract global grants, green bonds, and carbon credits—unlike fossil fuel ventures. Khan urges Pakistan to form a dedicated apex body to craft a 10-year green refining roadmap, rallying stakeholders for a unified push. “This could mirror the telecom boom—energy security, jobs, and sustainability in one,” he argues.
