European Chemical Industry News & Insights

Sabic Expands in Europe with New Polypropylene Facilities

At a glance
  • SABIC inaugurated a new polypropylene pilot plant in Geleen, Netherlands.
  • A state-of-the-art PP extrusion facility will be operational by Q4 2017.
  • The facilities will focus on impact grades, random copolymers, and homopolymers.
  • The Geleen site is part of SABIC's network of 21 Global Technology Centers.

New Facilities in Geleen

SABIC has inaugurated a new polypropylene (PP) pilot plant in Geleen, Netherlands, and announced an investment in a state-of-the-art PP extrusion facility at the same location. These facilities are part of SABIC’s strategy to innovate in PP products and support its 2025 vision.

Strategic Innovation

The new PP pilot plant, located at SABIC’s Global Technology Center for Europe, will design next-generation PP materials using gas-phase polymerization technology. This plant aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative material solutions for industries such as automotive, healthcare, appliances, and advanced packaging.

Focus Areas

The new facility will develop products with improved stiffness, impact resistance, and flow properties. SABIC plans to focus on impact grades of polypropylene, random copolymers, and homopolymers, and will also conduct experiments on advanced catalysts.

Global Network

The Geleen pilot plant is part of SABIC’s network of 21 Global Technology Centers. These centers are strategically located around the world to support SABIC’s comprehensive polypropylene product line and address evolving market needs.

Timeline

The highly automated PP extrusion line is expected to be operational in the fourth quarter of 2017. This facility will meet customer demands for advanced materials, supporting the development of next-generation lightweight applications in various industries.

Collaborative Efforts

During the inauguration event, SABIC held a dinner with high-level executives and presented its latest sustainability initiatives. Guest speaker Boyan Slat, founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup Foundation, emphasized the importance of innovation and collaboration for environmental sustainability.