At the 2026 American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) Annual Meeting, we shared our perspective on the future of hydrocarbon and energy processing in a featured interview on The Main Column podcast from Hydrocarbon Processing.

During the conversation, Arun Arora, Chevron Lummus Global’s (CLG) Chief Technology Officer, discussed how Lummus and CLG are helping refiners and producers address market volatility, evolving feedstocks, and long‑term asset performance through integrated technology solutions and lifecycle accountability.

Integration Across the Asset Lifecycle
A key message from the interview was the growing importance of integration across process technologies, catalysts, and services to reduce complexity and improve outcomes for customers.

“By bringing process technology, catalysts, internals, and technical services together, we act as one accountable partner,” Arora said. “That creates a seamless experience for the customer across the entire lifecycle of the asset.”

This integrated approach reflects how CLG and Lummus Technology engage with clients today, aligning design, licensing, supply, and ongoing optimization to support long‑term performance in increasingly competitive markets.

Designing Assets for an Uncertain Future
Arora also highlighted the need to future‑proof refining and petrochemical assets amid feedstock variability, shifting product demand, and margin pressure. Flexibility, he noted, has become a core design requirement.

Lummus and CLG technologies span resid upgrading, hydrocracking, delayed coking, slurry hydrocracking, and hydroprocessing, enabling operators to adapt as markets shift between fuels and petrochemicals.

“Our portfolio allows customers to adapt — whether markets move toward fuels or toward chemicals,” Arora explained, “while maintaining capital and operating efficiency.”

Highly integrated configurations such as TC2C™ (Thermal Crude to Chemicals) are examples of how assets can be designed to convert a large portion of the barrel into chemicals while preserving optionality over time.

From Innovation to Full‑Scale Execution
The interview also addressed the importance of moving new technologies beyond development and into real‑world operations. Arora spoke about the successful startup of the world’s first LC‑Max® unit as an example of how Lummus and CLG deliver innovation at commercial scale.

“Innovation only matters when it works at full industrial scale,” he said, noting the role of integrated design in improving capital efficiency and energy performance.

Listen to the Full Interview
The full conversation with Arun Arora offers deeper insight into market trends, technology integration, and the evolving role of refining and petrochemicals.

Listen to the full episode of The Main Column podcast on Hydrocarbon Processing here.