Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Statistics, Facts

Company Overview

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is a global leader in the production and marketing of chemicals, polymers, agri-nutrients, and specialty materials. Its broad product portfolio includes monoethylene glycol, polyethene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, methanol, MTBE, granular urea, polyetherimide, and a diverse range of engineering plastics and compounded materials. The company also delivers advanced engineering and color-matching services tailored to customer needs.

SABIC provides solutions across a wide spectrum of industries, including automotive, healthcare and hygiene, electrical and electronics, agriculture, consumer goods, packaging, and building and construction. Its business activities are organized into 6 major segments covering agriculture, automotive, building and construction, electrical and electronics, and healthcare and hygiene.

With a global customer base spanning more than 140 countries, SABIC maintains an extensive international manufacturing footprint across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates in 43 countries, runs 60 manufacturing and compounding facilities, and supports innovation through 20 technology centers and service locations. SABIC’s research strength is backed by over 2,000 R&D professionals, enabling the continuous development of high-performance, sustainable material solutions. As of December 2024, the company had more than 11,000 patents and had introduced 135 new products.

History of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation

1900’s

1976: SABIC was created through a royal decree to transform natural gas into high-value chemical products.
1979: Hadeed was founded to manufacture steel under the SABIC umbrella, marking the beginning of metals production.
1980: The Al-Razi joint venture was launched, positioning the company as a global player in methanol production.
1980: Additional joint ventures were formed with Shell and ExxonMobil, strengthening global partnerships.
1981: A strategic joint venture was established with Mitsubishi to expand international reach.
1983: SABIC exported its first products outside Saudi Arabia, marking its entry into global markets.
1984: SABIC was listed publicly on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) for the first time.
1990: The company entered the shipping and logistics space through National Chemical Carriers (NCC).
1992: Four affiliates in the Middle East achieved ISO 9002 certification, enhancing quality and compliance standards.
1994: The SABIC Technology Center opened in Riyadh, advancing R&D capabilities.
1996: SABIC became the Middle East’s largest joint-stock firm, achieving revenues equivalent to 18.9 billion USD.
1997: SABIC’s global petrochemical market share reached an estimated 5%.

2000’s

2000: SABIC’s product sales expanded into more than 100 countries globally.
2001: A major United Petrochemical Company (UPC) facility was inaugurated in Jubail.
2002: SABIC received global ranking recognition among leading petrochemical producers.
2003: DSM Petrochemicals was acquired, expanding the company’s polymers footprint.
2004: Yansab was founded as a major downstream affiliate.
2005: Yansab became the world’s fourth-largest petrochemical complex in capacity terms.
2006: SABIC ranked 331st on the Fortune Global 500 list.
2007: SABIC acquired GE Plastics, one of its most significant acquisitions, establishing SABIC as a leader in performance materials.
2009: A petrochemicals venture with Sinopec was launched in China, strengthening presence in Asia.
2011: SABIC announced its first publicly stated environmental commitments and published its initial sustainability report.
2012: SABIC Academy was launched to enhance employee development.
2014: A joint venture with SK Chemicals in South Korea expanded SABIC’s technology and customer reach.
2016: The Home of Innovation™ facility opened to showcase sustainable technologies.
2017: SABIC and ExxonMobil formed the Gulf Coast Growth Ventures partnership to develop a major U.S. petrochemical complex.
2018: SABIC acquired a 24.99% stake in Clariant AG, deepening its specialty chemicals presence.
2019: The TRUCIRCLE™ initiative launched, demonstrating SABIC’s commitment to circular polymers and recycling.
2020: Saudi Aramco acquired a 70% shareholding in SABIC, creating one of the world’s largest integrated energy-to-chemicals value chains.
2020: SAFCO rebranded as SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company, reflecting its expanded crop nutrition portfolio.
2020: SABIC and Saudi Aramco completed the world’s first shipment of low-carbon ammonia.

Later 2020’s

2021: SABIC pledged to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2050.
2021: A new corporate headquarters building opened in Jubail.
2022: The BLUEHERO electrification initiative launched to support EV materials and technologies.
2022: SABIC fully acquired Scientific Design, strengthening its catalysts and process technology licensing business.
2023: Final reactors were installed at the world’s first electrified steam cracker demo unit in Ludwigshafen (with BASF and Linde).
2023: SABIC divested Hadeed as part of large-scale portfolio optimization.
2024: The Functional Forms business was divested to realign the portfolio around core strengths.
2024: SABIC launched its enterprise-wide transformation program to accelerate performance.
2024: SABIC completed the divestment of its stake in Aluminium Bahrain (Alba).

(Source: Company Website)