Sabic opens S$220 million thermoplastic plant in Singapore
The Saudi-owned advanced speciality chemical manufacturing facility will produce Ultem resin
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DIVERSIFIED chemicals firm Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) on Thursday (Nov 7) opened a S$220 million manufacturing facility in Singapore to produce the high-performance thermoplastic Ultem resin.
Catering to high-tech end-users in industries such as aerospace, artificial intelligence and electric vehicles, the facility will raise the Saudi Arabia-headquartered company’s global output of Ultem resin by more than 50 per cent.
In his opening remarks, Sabic’s chief executive officer Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh said the facility supports Singapore’s ambition to become a global hub for advanced manufacturing, and reinforces the country’s central role in trade agreements across the region.
Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), the facility in Jurong is Sabic’s first advanced speciality chemical manufacturing facility in Asia, and will enable the company to better respond to burgeoning demand from high-tech and manufacturing industries in the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling noted that Sabic’s facility underscores Singapore’s role as a gateway to Asia, and as a leading hub for the chemicals industry.
“Looking ahead, rapid urbanisation in Asia and increasing demand for high-tech products like electric vehicles present significant growth opportunities. Companies like Sabic, whose products serve these markets, are well-positioned to expand,” she said.
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She pointed out that the energy and chemicals sector is the second-largest contributor to Singapore’s manufacturing output.
Specifically, in FY2023, chemicals had the largest share of the Republic’s total fixed asset investment commitments, totalling S$4.5 billion.
Lim Wey-Len, executive vice-president of EDB, added: “We look forward to how the new plant’s advanced manufacturing capabilities will boost our chemicals sector to meet customers’ needs in growth areas such as mobility and electronics.”
Sabic’s partnership with Singapore began in 1991, when it set up Sabic Asia-Pacific. In 2007, it set up its Asia headquarters in the city-state. It currently employs more than 300 workers in Singapore.
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