XPCHEM Opens New Petrochemical Testing Hub in the UAE to Serve GCC Markets

XPCHEM is pleased to announce the official inauguration of its new petrochemical and crude oil testing laboratory in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The facility, located in the Mussafah Industrial Area, represents a significant investment in XPCHEM's regional infrastructure and underscores our commitment to serving the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) energy sector.

The Abu Dhabi laboratory is equipped with a comprehensive suite of analytical instruments including Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) for hydrocarbon composition and contaminant analysis, Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) for trace metal determination in crude oil and refined products, and automated flash point testing systems compliant with ASTM D93 and ISO 2719.

Additional capabilities include automated distillation (ASTM D86, D1160), viscosity measurement (ASTM D445), density and API gravity (ASTM D4052), Reid Vapour Pressure (ASTM D323), and a full suite of crude oil characterisation tests including Total Acid Number (TAN), Total Base Number (TBN), and Basic Sediment & Water (BS&W) analysis.

"The UAE is at the heart of global energy trade, and our clients in the region have been asking for faster turnaround times and local technical expertise," said Ahmed Al-Rashidi, XPCHEM Regional Director for the Middle East. "This new facility allows us to deliver same-day and next-day results for routine testing, reducing the logistical burden on our clients and supporting faster decision-making in the supply chain."

The laboratory has been designed to meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation, with the formal accreditation audit scheduled for Q2 2026. In the interim, all testing is performed under XPCHEM's global quality management system, with results traceable to international reference standards.

The Abu Dhabi hub will serve clients across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman, with courier and logistics partnerships in place for rapid sample collection from major ports, refineries, and petrochemical complexes throughout the GCC region. XPCHEM's existing laboratory network in Europe and Asia provides overflow capacity and specialist testing for complex analytical requirements.