SABIC has opened a new engineering thermoplastics compounding facility and a polypropylene compounding plant at its manufacturing facility in Jubail, Saudi Arabia, says the company’s press release. The new engineering thermoplastics compounding plant will initially produce various types of SABIC resins, while the new polypropylene plant will produce glass, chalk and talc filled grades.
Significance: The Middle East is one of the most critical markets for SABIC, and proximity to local customers will help the company to cater to the growing demand in the region in a cost-effective manner. In addition, the recent investment will also bring the company closer to its customers in Africa, Turkey and India. “These facilities will make it easier to access a diverse material offering, provide local options for custom colour matching and provide the potential for shorter lead times,” the company said. The company also plans to strengthen its research and development (R&D) base in the region. Earlier in January, SABIC announced plans to set up two new R&D centres in Saudi Arabia and one each in India and China.
