SABIC to merge its US northeast R&D: ICIS

Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) is consolidating its research and development (R&D) business in the US northeast and merging those operations at its Selkirk site in New York, ICIS reported on Wednesday.

The chemicals giant also plans to leave its Pittsfield technology and innovation center in Massachusetts and close the Exton site in Pennsylvania. These will be merged at its site in Selkirk after modifications at the facilities are complete, ICIS said quoting from a SABIC statement.

Revamp of the Selkirk facilities is expected to finish by 2017.

“This integration will not only drive important efficiencies, it will also merge material science, process engineering and application development into a collaborative environment that will lead to new innovation breakthroughs,” said Awadh Al-Maker, executive vice president, SABIC Technology & Innovation.

SABIC expects that the collaborative R&D environment will lead to problem-solving options for customers and accelerate the company’s development cycle.

SABIC’s specialties portfolio includes engineering thermoplastic resins and compounds, as well as composites, functional surfaces and substrates, additive manufacturing solutions, part design, finished parts and materials processing expertise.