RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, (January 12, 2002) - Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has signed a contract with Al-Mabani Corporation to build a technology center at Al-Jubail Industrial City. The SABIC Technology Center-Jubail (STC-J), will comprise of approximately 500,000 square meters comprising of administrative and laboratory buildings. The engineering consultant for the project is Dar Al-Riyadh, a Saudi consulting firm based in Riyadh and Khobar.

The Jubail center will make a major contribution in extending direct technical support to all SABIC affiliates. It will provide technology and research input in major subjects such as materials engineering and corrosion control; environment and industrial hygiene; reliability and integrity of machinery equipment; metals technology; operation and maintenance of research pilot plants.

SABIC has made significant investment in its 17 affiliates in Saudi Arabia. The main objective of the center is to effectively build the technical expertise necessary to provide optimum technical support to all SABIC companies. It will help maintain close links with existing plants, encourage the interchange of ideas with universities and other technical organizations in the Kingdom and promote interaction with licensors and vendors. STC-J staff are scheduled to move to their new building at the end of the year 2003.

This new development demonstrates SABIC’s commitment towards technology activities covering chemicals, catalysts, polymers, fertilizers, metals and environmental management. SABIC has built a world-class R & T structure with its main R&T complex in Riyadh and two more technology centers located overseas: Houston, USA and Vadodara, India.

Mohammad Al-Motawa
Vice President, Public Relations