SABIC July/August 2011 Issue 103 Polycarbonate debut in the Middle East CONTENTS 04 high level chinese delegation visits sabic in riyadh 34 Ear to the Ground in Brussels NEWS SUSTAINABILITY Round-up of news stories from SABIC 20 Preparations underway to publish the first SABIC CSR- 04 operations around the world Sustainability Report in 2012 .................................... ................................................................. PRODUCT INNOVATION SUCCESS STORY Colorable LNP Thermocomp compound / Xenoy iQ resin helps Ford C-MAX earn Euro NCAP five-star rating 14 Utem PEI fiber for workwear / Ultem HU 1004 22 ................................................................. PEI resin offers added flexibility / PP resin for spun bond applications INNOVATION .................................... SABIC Grand Jury picks five MY IDEA projects for incubation as 24 the pilot project comes to a successful conclusion ................................................................. General Supervisor: Mohamed H. Al-Mady COVER STORY Vice Chairman and CEO SABIC’s SAUDI KAYAN affiliate pioneers the production of FOREWORD Editor-in-Chief: 28 polycarbonate pellets in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East Samir A. Al-Abdrabbuh ................................................................. Vice President Polycarbonate (PC) occupies a special position in the lexicon of modern with multiple manufacturing locations on the Corporate Communications EURO FOCUS industrial products. Although PC has been around for many decades, continent. Europe plays a key role in setting Acting Managing Editor: With a new office in Brussels, SABIC remains alert to it continues to find new applications in diverse industries. It is a matter the agenda for the rest of the world in terms Vinod Menon 34 developments on the ground and on the horizon that are likely of great pride for SABIC and its manufacturing affiliate SAUDI KAYAN to of introducing new initiatives, regulations and Media & External Communications to impact industries and businesses pioneer PC production in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. By initiating PC standards for industrial growth and development. ................................................................. production for the first time in the region, SABIC is once again preparing The Euro Focus feature looks at the important Contributions to SABIC magazine are welcome and may be the stage for new downstream industrial diversification in the region. The role being played by SABIC’s new office in Brussels, sent to: [email protected]. CUSTOMER RELATIONS Cover Story not only highlights the importance of local PC production, but which hosts the most important European Union Chemicals SBU in Europe hosts customers at innovation workshop; provides perspective on SABIC’s global PC strength. institutions and is the nerve center of EU political Articles and letters received may be edited for length and 40 Asian Polymer team holds golf event for regional customers and economic decision-making. clarity. Every effort has been made to report accurate infor- ................................................................. One of the main news stories too sheds light on a first-time venture in mation in this publication. However, neither SABIC nor the Saudi Arabia. The product is carbon fiber, for which SABIC has signed One of the most interesting features in this issue publishers vouch for its accuracy, neither do they indemnify SOCIAL CHEMISTRY a technology sourcing agreement with Montefibre S.p.A. Another talks about how SABIC’s European sites have been any loss arising through the use of the information. The Open Days at SABIC European sites enable local communities to noteworthy news report is about SABIC UK Petrochemicals winning celebrating the UN-designated International Year views or opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect 42 learn more about SABIC and the role of chemistry in modern living the Company of the Year Award from the country’s Chemical Industry of Chemistry (IYC). They took chemistry closer those of SABIC or the publisher. ................................................................. Association. In recent months, SABIC has also announced four important to the communities by welcoming children product innovations, which are all featured in this issue. and adults to the manufacturing sites for fun- Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, P.O. Box 5101 NETWORKING filled education and entertainment activities to Riyadh 11422, Saudi Arabia. The representatives of SABIC women’s network get an exclusive We have been regularly reporting SABIC’s progress in its Sustainability emphasize the role of chemistry in modern living. 46 roundtable opportunity to hold discussions with the Vice Chairman journey and the various Corporate Social Responsibility programs and CEO underway across the SABIC world. Internal preparations are in full swing How can a global company with diverse business Published by ................................................................. now to compile and publish the first SABIC CSR and Sustainability Report cultures and operations benefit from the diversity in 2012. The Sustainability Section also reports about the importance of and ensure effective communications across BEHIND THE SCENES SABIC becoming a member of the World Business Council for Sustainable the spectrum? SABIC Human Resources has ‘Culture Matters’ program seeks to build a composite SABIC global Development. been working with its department, Learning and 48 culture, acknowledging differences and leveraging diversity Development, to evolve a composite SABIC global ................................................................. MY IDEA, the pilot project launched in Europe early this year, marked a business culture. The Behind the Scenes feature new phase of Innovation at SABIC. The success of the pilot project means looks into the program. LIFESTYLE that MY IDEA will become an ongoing SABIC global project that is likely Project Manager: Khaled Al-Masri The e-book is steadily growing in popularity as the new millennium to result in taking Innovation to a whole new level within the company. The Lifestyle section is about e-books. The feature Group Editor: K. Krishnakumar 50 goes for the smart and convenient Our report on the success of MY IDEA clearly shows that SABIC people are is a timely reminder about how technology is Creative Consultant: Frank Stebbing Senior Designer: Hussain Mohammed ................................................................. highly enthusiastic about innovation, and about generating new business changing the way we live – and learn. PO Box 301292, Riyadh 11372, Tel:+966 (1) 462 3632, ideas for the future. Email: [email protected] Editor-in-Chief ©2011 Alef Publishing & Media Reprinting in whole or in part is prohibited by law SABIC’s presence in Europe has grown considerably over the years – first except with the prior written approval of the publisher. as a supplier of petrochemicals, and more recently, as a global company 02 SABIC July/August 2011 July/August 2011 SABIC 03 SABIC NEWS SABIC NEWS Prince Saud receives high-level Prince faisal bin turki to address gPCA forum Chinese delegation Annual event to focus on downstream value addition and sustainable growth between Saudi Arabia “According creating opportunities opportunities and platform for human and China as well as the to the World over the next decade. hear from top-level resource professionals efforts of the leaderships According to industry speakers discussing to share expertise of the two countries to Bank’s business experts, these lie various aspects of the and knowledge about develop these ties at performance downstream and conference theme. The talent management. all political, economic report for the are linked to the other key speakers at Yousef Al-Benyan, SABIC and technological development of the event this year are: Executive Vice President, levels. He lauded the year 2009, the industrial clusters across Hamad Rashid Al- Human Resources, strong growth of the Kingdom has the region, particularly Mohannadi, Deputy is one of the main Chinese economy, which moved up to those being established Chairman, Qatar speakers at the event. has, in turn, boosted to provide materials Petroleum; Jim Gallogly, “The first GPCA talent SABIC’s presence in the 13th rank for the automotive, CEO, LyondellBasell; convention targets the Chinese market. globally. It is flexible packaging and Peter L Cella, CEO, professionals who are Prince Saud said: “The also ranked appliances sectors. Chevron Phillips; Tom eager to learn about strong initiatives taken Attendance at the Crotty, Chairman, successful HR practices by Custodian of the top among GPCA Annual Forum has Ineos ChlorVinyls; within the region as well Two Holy Mosques King Arab countries increased steadily over Luther C. Kissams IV, as on an international Abdullah bin Abdulaziz for the best the past five editions President, Albemarle scale,” said Dr. have greatly contributed of the event, making it Corporation; and Dr Abdulwahab Al-Sadoun, to the growth of the investment the largest gathering of Fahad Al Mubarak, Secretary General, Saudi economy and environment” petrochemical leaders Chairman and Managing GPCA. “This event has its stability even in the Prince Saud bin Abdullah and decision-makers Director, Morgan been conceptualized to face of global financial bin Thenayan Al-Saud, in the Middle East. The Stanley Saudi Arabia. provide delegates with uncertainties. According Chairman