State-of-the-art polyolefin logistics centre reinforces SABIC’s long-term commitment to serving its UK customers

Sittard, the Netherlands – November 23, 2010 – Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the world’s top six petrochemical companies, officially opened – 22nd of November – its state-of-the-art polyolefin logistics centre in north-east England, which is replacing SABIC’s current logistics centre in the UK. Located in Middlesbrough, Cleveland, the new facility underlines SABIC’s long-term commitment to serving its UK customers.

The centre’s fully scaleable design will ensure that SABIC is equipped to meet current and future market demand for all the products in its broad polyolefin portfolio, which includes Linear Low Density Polyethylene film (LLDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP).
The centre is operated by Bertschi, the Swiss logistics and transport specialists. The company attained SABIC’s contract on the strength of its proven record in container and bulk material handling. Hans-Jörg Bertschi, President and CEO Bertschi group, comments: "This is a major step for our company in developing a network of pan-European polymer handling facilities. We are very proud to operate this new infrastructure on behalf of SABIC, with whom we have a long standing, excellent business partnership, including in developing innovative logistics solutions."

Adding value
Commenting on the new facility, Raf Bemelmans, European Director for the Polymer Supply Chain: “Our investment in this logistics centre demonstrates SABIC’s faith in the UK market as a long-term consumer of polyolefin materials. The centre’s logistics systems will enable us to support the growing use of bulk polymer handling operations that eliminate the need for manual interventions, such as ‘ripping and tipping’. Bertschi’s experience in the transportation and polymer handling industries combined with the centre’s state-of-the-art design will allow us to further enhance the service we provide to our UK customer base.”

Commenting on SABIC’s customer-first vision, Michael Allen, Sales Office Director SABIC UK concludes: “Our business strives to take a leadership position in petrochemicals. Among other commitments, this involves building a world-class European supply network capable of giving our customers dedicated support combined with a reliable supply of quality polyolefin products within competitive lead times. Our new logistics hub will play an instrumental part in delivering this vision.”

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world’s top six petrochemical companies. The company is among the world’s market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.

SABIC recorded a net profit of SR 9 billion (US$ 2.4 billion) in 2009. Sales revenues for 2009 totaled SR 103 billion (US$ 27 billion). Total assets stood at SR 297 billion (US$ 79.2 billion) at the end of 2009.

SABIC’s businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Performance Chemicals, Fertilizers, Metals and Innovative Plastics. SABIC has significant research resources with six dedicated Technology & Innovation Centers in Saudi Arabia, Europe, the USA and India. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with 33,000 employees worldwide.

The company has 19 world-scale complexes in Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, SABIC manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. SABIC’s overall production has increased from 35 million metric tons in 2001 to 59 million metric tons in 2009.

Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70 percent of SABIC shares with the remaining 30 percent held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
About SABIC in Europe
In Europe, SABIC has 13 world-scale production facilities which manufacture innovative plastics, polyethylenes, polypropylenes and chemical products. Throughout Europe, SABIC employs approximately 6000 people.

The main European offices for three of SABIC’s strategic business units are located in The Netherlands - Innovative Plastics (Bergen op Zoom), Polymers (Sittard) and Chemicals (Sittard). They operate an extensive network of local sales offices and logistical hubs throughout Europe which are also responsible for the sales of products manufactured elsewhere in the world.

SABIC media contact
Ger Peerboom
Corporate Communications
SABIC Communications Europe
The Netherlands
T +31 46 722 2207
E ger.peerboom@SABIC-europe.com

Solange Schlösser
Polyethylenes and Chemicals
SABIC Communications Europe
The Netherlands
T +31 46 722 2168
E solange.schlosser@SABIC-europe.com

Rachel Kundra
Polypropylenes and Chemicals
SABIC Communications Europe
The Netherlands
T +31 46 722 2399
E rachel.kundra@SABIC-europe.com

Press Agency contact
Brigitta de Vries
Marketing Solutions
Belgium
T +31 164 317 000
E bdevries@marketingsolutions.be

This release was published on openPR.