RIYADH, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO of Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the world's largest chemical manufacturers, has underscored China's strategic push to cultivate "new quality productive forces" as a transformative shift toward innovation-led growth, positioning the Asian giant as a critical partner in global industrial advancement.
In a written interview with Xinhua, Al-Fageeh praised China's "relentless focus on innovation," which aligns with SABIC's core ethos.
"The continued emphasis on 'new quality productive forces' is another true demonstration of China's focus on innovation. As innovation is at the core of our DNA, SABIC is honored to witness and be part of China's development journey driven by innovation," Al-Fageeh said.
He emphasized that China's industrial policies are accelerating the chemical sector's shift toward "intelligence, high-end production, and sustainability," creating "tremendous growth opportunities" for SABIC.
SABIC, a Riyadh-based petrochemicals company with nearly five decades of operations in China, has entrenched itself as a key player in the country's industrial landscape. Since entering the market in the 1980s, the company has expanded to 17 Chinese cities, operating manufacturing plants, a Shanghai tech hub, and sprawling supply networks. Its materials underpin industries from electric vehicles and solar panels to medical devices and sustainable packaging.
Al-Fageeh detailed recent expansions, including a polycarbonate plant launched in 2023 through a joint venture with Sinopec. He also highlighted a new "44.8-billion-yuan (6.17 billion U.S. dollars) world-scale petrochemical complex" under construction with China's Fujian Energy and Petrochemical Group, alongside plans for a fourth compounding plant.
China's booming solar energy sector, he noted, has opened doors for SABIC's advanced materials.
"In the PV segment, we offer advanced materials designed to protect and facilitate the deployment of PV systems in challenging environments. These allow solar electricity to be deployed in more scenarios and help to further diversify China's energy portfolio," Al-Fageeh said.
On environmental initiatives, SABIC is partnering with Chinese entities like the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation to advance carbon capture, utilization, and storage technologies. The company has also established joint laboratories with local partners to develop sustainable solutions.
"We look forward to continuing to expand and optimize our operations in China, working closely with local partners to support their sustainable growth through our tailored, advanced materials and solutions, and contribute to the industry's transition to a more sustainable future," Al-Fageeh added. ■
