SABIC Partners with SCHÜTZ to Develop High-Performance, Cost-Effective Granulated HDPE for Intermediate Bulk Containers

Sittard, the Netherlands – February 15, 2011 – SABIC, a global plastics industry leader, today announced that its high-performance SABIC® HDPE ICP4907S material for industrial containers is now commercially available. The breakthrough high-density polyethylene
(HDPE) – developed collaboratively with SCHÜTZ, a global leading producer of industrial packaging - is designed for blow moulding of Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) up to 1000 litres and more. SABIC® HDPE ICP4907S resin combines outstanding stiffness/impact-balance with optimal environmental stress crack resistance and chemical resistance. Most significantly, this material delivers improved melt flow for excellent processing performance and potential system cost reduction.

SABIC® HDPE ICP4907S resin meets the stringent recommendations of the United Nations (UN) and can be used for the production of UN-approved containers – subject to government approvals and registrations. It is ideal for storage and transport of high-value or hazardous liquids. This material is also ultraviolet (UV) stabilised and approved for food contact applications.

“SCHÜTZ offers packaging solutions for the transport of sensitive products in a safe and economical way”, said Harry Kaiser, head of global Procurement within SCHÜTZ.
This requires a high performing IBC grade matching the latest sustainable and market demands. The granulated HDPE that SABIC developed in close cooperation with our product development and operational processing experts met all of our requirements – including a reliable, long-term source of supply. This material is now running on several locations and satisfying customers and our expectations.”

By utilising the new SABIC HDPE resin grade for industrial containers, SCHÜTZ has been able to meet the efficiency targets it has set for the production of high level performing intermediate bulk containers.

“Our industry-leading research and development capabilities enabled SABIC to create a completely new product line in just 18 months,” said Mario Scholle Business Manager HDPE – SABIC region Europe. “Product excellence has been the driver for realising this innovation and meeting all needs and product requirements of SCHÜTZ.”

About SABIC
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’s European research facilities form part of the global Technology and Innovation organization and can be found in the Netherlands (Geleen and Bergen op Zoom) and Spain (Cartagena).
About SCHUTZ
For more than 50 years, the name of SCHÜTZ has stood for innovative plastic and metal products of excellent quality. SCHÜTZ currently employs over 2,800 people in the development, production and sale of innovative, top-quality products at more than 27 international sites. The three SCHÜTZ divisions constantly set pioneering standards with numerous patents and sophisticated new production technologies as well as demonstrating their uncompromising commitment to sustainable growth and environmental protection.
As one of the leading international producers of high-quality transport packaging, SCHÜTZ offers its customers optimum packaging solutions in the form of intelligent packaging systems and services tailored to their individual supply chain.
In designing the ECOBULK, SCHÜTZ created an intelligent, space-saving packaging system tailored to industry requirements. Thanks to its modular structure, the ECOBULK is the ideal solution for every application. SCHÜTZ Security-Layer Technology makes it possible to produce plastic containers with up to six layers, such as an EVOH permeation barrier, for example, or an electrically conductive or antistatic outer layer.
With its lines of plastic and steel drums, SCHÜTZ offers an innovative packaging system providing maximum safety even for the most sensitive packaging and transport requirements and a diverse range of applications.
What’s more, the company actively assumes responsibility for its products with the SCHÜTZ TICKET SERVICE, which not only includes the collection but also the ecological reconditioning of used SCHÜTZ IBC’s worldwide.
For further information: www.schuetz.net.
Media Notes
• As an acronym, SABIC should be all caps whenever it appears in print.
• ® Trademark of SABIC

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This release was published on openPR.