The Saudi polymer producer expects sales in the region to double

With sales volume expected to double in the next five years, Sabic has announced plans to expand its network and warehousing facilities in south-east Asia. Yousef Al-Benyan, Sabic’s general manager for Asia Pacific, said: “We currently have three warehouses — one each in Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong. By 2006, we intend to include six more warehouses in the Asia Pacific region.

“These would be located in Vietnam, China, Australia and New Zealand. Having these warehouses will enable us to shorten delivery time to our valued customers.” Sabic’s current and planned investment for expansions exceed $8bn (E6.5bn), and the company aims to raise annual polymer production from 43 million tonnes in 2004 to more than 60 million tonnes by 2008. Sabic is to build two new plants, one in Saudi Arabia and one in Europe, with Basell’s Hostalen HDPE technology.