November 12, 2024 – SABIC Marks a Milestone with the Inauguration of Its ULTEM™ Resin Manufacturing Plant in Singapore
SABIC has announced the official opening of its ULTEM™ resin manufacturing plant in Singapore, a $170 million (SGD 220 million) investment. This factory, SABIC’s first specialty chemical production base for high-performance thermoplastic ULTEM™ resin in the Asia-Pacific region, signifies a landmark achievement for the company.
The launch of this new facility is a crucial step towards SABIC’s goal of increasing global ULTEM™ specialty resin production by over 50%. Given the rising demand for high-tech and manufacturing in countries like Japan and China, this plant will help alleviate the urgent need for high-performance materials in the region.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the presence of Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry (MTI) and Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) Ms Low Yen Ling, SABIC Chairman of the Board Engineer Khalid H. Al-Dabbagh, SABIC Chief Executive Officer Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Singapore Mr Omar Alharthi, who together witnessed this historic moment.
According to industry sources, the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) has provided substantial support for the construction of the new plant. This factory not only reinforces SABIC’s commitment to localized supply of high-performance materials but also demonstrates its determination to meet complex and stringent supply chain requirements. The commencement of operations at this plant is expected to further enhance SABIC’s competitiveness in the global high-performance materials market.
In her speech, Ms Low Yen Ling highlighted that the opening of SABIC’s new plant not only underscores Singapore’s position as Asia’s gateway and a leading hub for the chemicals industry but also injects new vigor into Singapore’s chemicals sector. She looks forward to SABIC continuing to leverage its strengths to make greater contributions to Singapore’s economic development.
SABIC’s Chief Executive Officer, Engineer Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, emphasized that the plant’s opening is a key part of SABIC’s strategic layout in Asia. Leveraging SABIC’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, the Singapore plant will produce one of the world’s most advanced plastics – ULTEM resin. This not only reflects SABIC’s long-term commitment to Asia’s high-tech economy and advanced manufacturing but also provides robust support for the growth of advanced applications in the region.
Meanwhile, the Executive Vice President of the Singapore Economic Development Board, Mr Lim Wei Lan, also welcomed the commissioning of SABIC’s new plant. He believes that the opening of this factory reflects SABIC’s confidence in Singapore as a hub for growing demand for high-performance specialty chemicals. He anticipates that the plant’s advanced manufacturing capabilities will drive the development of Singapore’s chemicals sector, meeting customer needs in growth areas such as mobility and electronics.
Furthermore, SABIC has strengthened its workforce by facilitating global knowledge transfer and upgrading local talent skills. This holistic expansion approach integrates human capital development and establishes an Asia-centric hub based on regional talent, leveraging global expertise. With the new plant in operation, SABIC’s advanced materials are poised to become an integral part of Singapore’s leadership in sustainable high-tech manufacturing, extending their application through high-performance ULTEM™ resin to various sectors including automotive, healthcare, and telecommunications.