SABIC is considering Houston as the company’s new head office for the Americas, the Saudi Arabia-based producer said on Saturday.
SABIC has chosen the US as the focus of its future growth plans, given the nation’s abundance of low-cost feedstock, the company said. As part of that focus, it and ExxonMobil are considering a project in San Patricio county, Texas, that will include a 1.8m tonne/year ethane cracker, a monoethylene glycol (MEG) plant and two polyethylene (PE) units.
SABIC’s decision on the Americas headquarters will depend on receiving the necessary building and environmental permits, the company said. The company did not say when it could make a decision.
The company’s announcement comes amid a US tour by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. He also visited Houston, where he presented a plaque to John Verity, president of ExxonMobil Chemical.
The programme in Houston was intended to last longer but was cut short.
“Diplomatic schedules can change at a moment’s notice, and we experienced such a change, which required a change to our order of events,” said Susan LeBourdais, specialist, communications, corporate affairs, SABIC.
By Al Greenwood
Source: ICIS News
BASF will build a commercial scale battery recycling black mass plant in Schwarzheide, Germany. This investment strengthens BASF’s cathode active materials (CAM) production and recycling hub in Schwarzheide. The site is an ideal location for the build-up of battery recycling activities given the presence of many EV car manufacturers and cell producers in Central Europe.
Clariant says it is reducing its number of businesses from five to three, by merging units, under a reorganization that is in line with the company’s purpose-led strategy and cultural transformation. The moves will position Clariant for long-term sustainable growth, the company says.
Chemicals & plastics industry has the most diversified end-use market across all manufacturing industries. The industry returned to growth in 2021 but a supply chain crunch prevented it from becoming stronger. The market is likely to stabilize in the second half of 2022 with a supply-demand balance.
