Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Statistics: A is engaged in manufacturing and sales of chemicals, polymers, plastics, agri-nutrients, and metal products globally. The company operates through three segments namely: Petrochemicals & Specialties, Agri-nutrients, and Hadeed.
Through the Petrochemicals & Specialties segment, the company offers polymers such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, metallocene polyethylene, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, synthetic rubbers, etc., and caters to automotive, aviation, electronics, construction, alternative energy, and health care industries. In addition, the company offers engineering thermoplastic resins and compounds, ethylene oxide derivatives, composites, additives, functional surface substrates, and films and sheets, under the brand names: NORYL, ULTEM, EXTEM, and LNP. The company also offers chemicals, including aromatics, ethanolamines, Chlor-alkali, glycols, olefins and gases, linear alpha-olefins, natural detergent alcohol, OXO alcohols and performance monomers, and oxygenates. Through its agri-nutrients segment, the company offers fertilizers consisting of urea, and ammonia, and has a portfolio of nitrogen-based inorganic products. Through its Hadeed segment, the company manufactures steel products such as flat products and long products.
In March 2019, Saudi Aramco signed an agreement to acquire a 70% majority stake in Saudi Basic Industries Corporation from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia in a private transaction. The agreed purchase price for the shares is SAR 259.1 billion (US$ 69.1 billion).
Financial Results in Perspective:
- Net income in 2020 was US$ 17.8 million.
- Total assets were US$ 78.7 billion at the end of 2020.
- SABIC’s overall production in 2020 was 60.8 million metric tons.
- SABIC recorded a net profit of US$ 4.9 billion in 2017 as compared to US$ 4.6 billion in 2016, which was an increase of 4.4%. Sales revenues for 2019 totaled US$ 37 billion, and total assets stood at US$ 83 billion at the end of 2019.
- SABIC’s net income for 2020 was US$ 0.02 billion compared to US$ 1.4 billion in 2019. The decrease was mainly attributed to the decline in margins by 54% despite the increase in sales volume by 1%.
- Income tax expenses for 2020 were US$ 90 million, a decrease of US$ 83.8 million or 48% compared to 2019. The decrease in Income tax was primarily due to deferred tax benefits on asset impairments.
- Petrochemicals and Specialties revenues amounted to US$ 27.12 billion in 2020, a decrease of US$ 4.16 billion or -13%, compared to USD 31.28 billion in 2019. The decrease was mainly attributable to the decrease in average selling prices despite the increase in sales volumes by 1%.
Key Dates:
- 1976: SABIC was established in 1976 by Royal Decree to develop petrochemical production
- 1982: The first of SABIC affiliate companies, HADEED (steel), began production
- 1984: SABIC is listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange, although the government maintains a 70% stake
- 1985: Ladene plastics brand was launched
- 1988: The company opened international marketing offices in New York, London, Tokyo, and Hong Kong
- 1997: The company opened its first foreign research and technology center in Houston, Texas, US; the company was restructured into five Strategic Business Units
- 2002: The company acquired the petrochemical business of Koninklijke DSM N.V.
- 2003: SABIC acquired StaMax B.V.
- 2008: SABIC and ExxonMobil signed an agreement for an elastomers project in Saudi Arabia
- 2008: Sinopec and SABIC signed the Tianjin deal in China
- 2012: SABIC acquired a license to manufacture TDI and MDI (raw materials of polyurethane) from Mitsui Chemicals Inc.
- 2014: SABIC collaborated with SK Global Chemicals to produce high-performance PE products in Ulsan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia
- 2016: SABIC and Saudi Arabian Oil Company combined their oil-to-chemicals projects
- 2017: SABIC acquired a 50% stake in Saudi Petrochemical Company (SADAF), from its joint venture (JV) partner, Royal Dutch Shell plc, for US$ 820 million
- 2018: The SABIC and ExxonMobil Chemical Co. form a JV for Gulf Coast Growth Ventures (GCGV) project
The year 2019:
- Sinopec Sabic Tianjin Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (SSTPC), a 50-50 joint venture of China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. and Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corp., is expanding ethylene production at its 1 million-tonne/year plant in Tianjin Province, China.
- Sinopec Sabic Tianjin Petrochemical Co. Ltd. (SSTPC), the Chinese petrochemical joint venture (JV) between China’s Sinopec and Saudi Arabia’s SABIC, recently kicked off an expansion project at its Tianjin ethylene plant. The construction work will take 18 months to complete, with the new capacity scheduled to start operations in April 2021, according to SSTPC.
- In October, SABIC opened the new Technology and Innovation Center in Geleen, the Netherlands.
- In December, the company signed to partner with Russia’s Angara Service to launch its business in the Saudi market.
- In September, SABIC along with Clariant, and Merck entered into a partnership to develop laser-marking technology.
- In November, SABIC collaborated with Berry Global Group Inc for the production and use of circular polymers from chemical recycling.
- In October, SABIC merged two of its affiliates, Saudi Petrochemical Company (Sadaf) and Arabian Petrochemical Company (Petrokemya).
- In January, the company acquired a majority stake in Black Diamond Structures, a nanotechnology company.
- In February, the company signed an agreement with Eni to develop a technology to produce high-value fuels and chemicals.
- In January, SABIC and United Stars signed an agreement to provide liquid chemicals transport services.
- In January, SABIC signed a letter of intent with Saudi Aramco for the development of a downstream industrial and logistics park in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
- In January, SABIC and the Saudi National Industrial Cluster Development Program signed a memorandum of understanding to build factories for carbon black, polysilicon, cells, and solar panels.
- In March, SABIC UK signed a contract with Turner & Townsend for a four-year period, which can be further extended to four more years, to be a partner for commercial services on Teesside.
- In July, SABIC and ExxonMobil 50/50 joint venture company Gulf Coast Growth Ventures signed an agreement with Air Liquide for building a new world-scale Air Separation Unit in Bay City, Texas, the US.
In the year 2020:
- In January, SABIC and ACWA Power signed a memorandum of understanding for pursuing opportunities to enhance Local Content in the economy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
- In March, SABIC increased its stake to 31.5% in Clariant AG.
- In March, the company signed a seven-year strategic agreement with Emerson Electric to assist adopt digital transformation programs and optimize operations.
- In June, SABIC sold 70% of its stake to Saudi Aramco., a petroleum and natural gas company for US$69.1 billion.
- In June, SABIC named DKSH as a distribution partner to serve its customer’s engineering thermoplastics in Asia.
- In July, SABIC signed a letter of intent with Toyo Engineering Co of Japan to supply materials and construct an ethylene glycol plant at Yanbu Industrial City, Saudi Arabia.
- In July, SABIC and Iberdrola entered into an agreement to build a 100MW solar PV facility in Cartagena, Spain.
- In September, SABIC and Elkamet entered into a partnership to provide renewable thermoplastics to the lighting industry.
- In October, SABIC signed a memorandum of understanding with Saudi Arabian Oil to study the feasibility to convert crude oil to chemicals.
- In November, SABIC agreed to its agri-nutrients business with Saudi Arabia Fertilizers Co.
- In December, SABIC entered into a partnership with KraussMaffei High-Performance AG for innovative thin-wall packaging applications.
The year 2021:
- In February, SABIC and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology entered into a development agreement to develop high-performance and lightweight materials for advanced applications.
- In March, SABIC, BASF, and Linde signed a joint agreement to develop and demonstrate solutions for electrically heated steam cracker furnaces.
- In April, SABIC awarded a contract to SRJ Technologies to design, manufacture and install SRJ asset integrity solutions for the repair and maintenance of pipeline equipment.
- In June, SABIC and KraussMaffei High-Performance AG announced the opening of the Thin-Wall
Key Developments:
Petrochemicals:
SABIC’s petrochemicals segment has undergone a global transformation with major innovative production initiatives, joint ventures, new product launches, and structural changes to meet the challenges of the circular economy
- In April 2018, Mitsubishi Chemical, Inc. and SABIC started joint production of methyl methacrylate (MMA) monomer and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) in Saudi Arabia. The joint venture is expected to manufacture 250,000 metric tons/year of MMA monomer, and 40,000 metric tons/year of PMMA.
- In October 2018, the company launched polypropylene lightweight breathable nonwoven fabrics for personal hygiene applications. The new product – SABIC PP 514M12 – can serve a wide range of potential end uses in personal hygiene applications.
- In April 2018, SABIC opened the first polyacetal (POM) plant in the Middle East as part of its growth strategy, supporting its vision of 2030
- In October 2019, Aramco agreed to buy a 70% stake in Sabic from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in March for $69.1 billion, providing a major cash injection for the PIF and a potential boost for Aramco’s downstream operations if the two were to combine.
- In 2020, China selected SABIC’s STAMAXTM resin to create high-quality, high-efficiency antenna covers for its 5G network base station.
- SABIC made pipes for power plant offshore cooling water pipeline system in Bangladesh.
Specialties:
The company focuses on delivering material performance and developing innovative solutions
- In February 2018, SABIC expanded capacity for ultem and noryl resin production
- In May 2018, the company introduced its next-generation THERMOCOMP HMD-D compounds in NPE 2018
- In 2019, The Specialties business creates value by pushing the boundaries of our materials’ physical properties to address important and highly complex thermal, mechanical, optical, and electrical performance requirement.
- In 2019, the Specialties business initiated capacity expansions that were realized during 2020, enabling SABIC to meet the explosive demand for this 5G enabling material-NORYLTM oligomers
Agri-Nutrients:
- November 2018, the company established a new company – SABIC Agri-nutrient Investments – to consolidate all its equity shares and assets currently held in several companies specialized in the production of various agri-nutrient products
- Agri-nutrients revenues amounted to US$ 1.62 billion in 2020, a decrease of US$ 0.26 billion or -14%, compared to US$ 1.89 billion in 2019. The decrease was attributable to the lower average selling prices despite the increase in sales volumes by 7%.
- Operating income for 2020 was US$ 0.40 billion, a decrease of US$ 0.12 billion or -24%, compared to US$D 0.53 billion in 2019.
Metals:
- In 2018, the company advanced its Transformation Program, which aims to enhance competitiveness, increase product portfolio, and accelerate growth
- Revenue in 2019 was SAR 10.79 billion, a decrease of SAR 0.03 billion, compared to SAR 10.8 billion in 2018. This was attributed to a decrease in sales volume by -2% compared to 2018, which is driven by steel demand that dropped as compared to 2018, partially offset by a slightly better average selling price and product mix.
- Metals Revenues amounted to US$ 2.39 billion in 2020, a decrease of US$ 0.47 billion or -17%, compared to US$ 2.87 billion in 2019.
Facts:
- SABIC was founded in 1976 and began production in 1981.
- SABIC holds the maximum number of global patents, over 11,700 in Saudi Arabia.
- SABIC acquired numerous international companies:
- SABIC acquired DSM’s petrochemical business for 2.2 billion € (US$ 1.9 billion).
- SABIC acquired Huntsman’s Europe-based chemicals and polymers business for US$ 700 million.
- The company acquired General Electric’s plastics division for US$ 11.6 billion.
- SABIC is the world’s largest producer of MTBE, mono-ethylene glycol, polycarbonate, granular urea, polyphenylene, and polyetherimide, and is also the third-largest manufacturer of polyethylene and polypropylene.
- The company focuses on providing accurate, compliant, and current product information and labeling to customers across the globe.
- In 2018, 11 EHSS risk assessment workshops were completed involving approximately 300 individuals.
- 369 technology projects were screened.
- 52 REACH dossiers submitted.
- SABIC’s Nusaned program was launched in January 2018 and is a core initiative designed to promote growth, diversification, and job creation in support of Vision 2030.
- SABIC sponsored the second edition of the Ammar Initiative to support talented people with special needs and was aligned with SABIC’s values and Saudi Vision 2030.
- The company uses REACH- Reputation, Audience, Innovation, Strategy, and Endurance-to select (RAISE) programs that elevate SABIC’s Brand and promote values. RAISE prioritizes four responsible areas: Science and Technology Education, Environmental Protection, Health and Wellness, Water, and Sustainable Agriculture, and also supports SABIC’s 2025 strategy and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation: Production and Exports (Thousand Tons)
Recent News:
- Jiangsu Hansu launches high-performance UD composite tapes featuring Sabic’s Ultem™ Powder at china composites expo2020.
- Sabic premieres high-performance materials for 5G infrastructure and mobile devices with a major presence at CMPE2020.
- In March 2019, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation intends to merge its two wholly-owned subsidiaries, Saudi Petrochemical Company (SADAF) and Arabian Petrochemical Company (PETROKEMYA), to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of its global operations.
- In June 2019, Exxon Mobil Corporation and SABIC announced plans to start construction of the petrochemical plant in Texas, US, in the third quarter. The 50/50 joint venture, called Gulf Coast Growth Ventures, will have the capacity to produce 1.8 million metric tons a year and will house a mono ethylene glycol unit and two polyethylene units.
SABIC’s Strategy in Support of Vision 2030:
- Develop programs supporting local content creation, leveraging SABIC’s core strength in technology and IP, products, procurement, capabilities, assets, and commercial relationships.
- Coordinate and synergize content-related initiatives across SABIC businesses, functions, and affiliates.
- Develop mutually-beneficial partnerships with relevant third parties, including national and overseas governments, financial institutions, and other commercial organizations.
- Promote SABIC and Saudi Arabia to overseas investors with potential interest in localization initiatives.
- Work with other Saudi organizations to disseminate best practices and cooperate for synergy and mutual benefit.
- With the global economic outlook still uncertain, we expect the marketplace to continue presenting challenges for the steel industry in the near future. But we are committed to maintaining the momentum of our transformation program and continue addressing those challenges by maintaining our efforts to bear down on costs, improve production efficiencies and productivity, and invest in the skills and capabilities of our people. Our materials will continue to equip architects and builders in Saudi Arabia with the high performance they need to construct the planned mega projects under Vision 2030. We will apply foresight and technical expertise to move steadily up the value chain, gaining ever-greater access to export markets and the high value-add end of the marketplace for metals.
