"SABIC Plastic Applications Development Center (SPADC)" Visit Report
Riyadh Techno Valley, Monday 06/26/1437 AH
A female delegation from the Chemistry Department in the College of Science at Al Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University visited SPADC, a center affiliated to SABIC, in Riyadh Techno Valley at King Saud University.
The visit began with a PowerPoint presentation and welcome speech by Ms. Seeta Al-Sumair, followed by a speech on fire and safety equipment in laboratories by Ms. Sahar Al-Nuwaisri.
After that, SABIC Company- the 3rd largest diversified chemical company in the world and one of the world's leading companies in chemical industry, agricultural nutrients, and metals- was introduced. It was established in 1976, to provide new solutions that can change the world for the better in the areas of: Transportation, agricultural nutrients, building and construction, medical devices, packaging, clean energy, and consumer electronics.
Then, the ambitious strategy of (SABIC 2025) to become the world's favorite leading company in the field of chemicals was presented, as well as its desire to shift from the concept of supplier of plastics and basic chemicals to become a partner in the development of advanced plastics that support the specialized needs of the customers.
In addition, SABIC activities were highlighted, as well as subsidiaries specialized in the chemicals, agricultural nutrients, and minerals manufacturing, marketing and distributing in the local, regional, and global markets. The company consists of four main business sectors, namely: The Chemical Sector, which includes basic chemicals, polymers, specialty products, and innovative plastics; the Agricultural Nutrients Sector, which includes fertilizer products; the Metals Sector, which includes products of iron, steel, and aluminum. Besides the principal corporate offices and headquarters, which include the major operations, technology and innovation facilities, investment activities, and SABIC Industrial Investments Company (SIIC) and its subsidiaries.
Afterwards, SABIC Technology and Innovation Sector was introduced by Eng. Abdulmalik Al-Sulami. He pointed out that innovation is the economic value provided by SABIC, which spares no efforts to expand the horizons of collaboration and innovation and develop procedures to become more efficient and capable to meet customer needs and market requirements. Moreover, he stressed that innovation adds economic dimensions to the company's business, supports its pathway towards a sustainable future, and maximizes the economic value to its customers, as well as supporting its slogan: "Chemistry that Matters™".
Eng. Al-Sulami explained that Technology and Innovation Sector seeks to achieve leadership for SABIC in the areas of research and development, including the scientific innovation of developing applications and producing raw materials, provision of infrastructure, knowledge and know-how, and technical expertise to provide innovative research solutions at world level, in order to reach its strategic objectives for the year 2025.
SPADC is considered an important and vital part of the innovation system at SABIC, which includes 19 research facilities around the world and aims at continuous development of new technologies to create products and solutions needed by customers, especially in the fields of chemicals, polymers, smart plastics, and industrial catalysts. This is a model of scientific and industrial powers collaboration on the one hand, and cooperation between the public and private sectors on the other.
After that, an introductory video was displayed to shed light on the functions of SABIC Technology and Innovation Sector, such as the development of applications and products and research cooperation with other leading sectors around the world.
Then, Eng. Ali Al-Khorayef explained what the polymers are, which include plastic, rubber, etc., and pointed out the basic types of plastic and their advantages, such as lightweight, in addition to their disadvantages, such as the difficulty of reform and decomposition.
Then, Eng. Al-Sulami discussed Plastic Applications, such as: Injection molding, blow molding (plastic bottles manufacturing), plastic extrusion (tubing, plastic bags and sheets), and production of fabric (textile floor coverings and cords), as well as the main products supported by the Center, building and construction, packaging, and cars.
Moreover, Al-Sulami pointed out that SABIC analytical laboratories consist of four areas: Mechanical Properties Laboratory (measures the durability of the product), and its most important machine is the tensile and compression testing machine; Thermal Properties Laboratory, which has solubility coefficient and degree of solubility testing equipment; Chemical Properties Laboratory, which has viscosity measurement device, weather instrument, and density testing equipment; and Optical Properties Laboratory, which contains impurity tester and colorimeters. In addition, they include the most important analytical devices, namely: thickness meter, dimensional measuring device, and analytical balance scale. At the end of the presentation, he introduced the most important plastic applications in gaming, transportation, medical products, food products, etc.
After a short break, the delegation took a tour to the laboratories, that were presented, and to the sections and functions of the Center.
The visit of SPADC achieved a set of objectives, including:
- Considering a brief overview about SABIC and its system of technology and innovation around the world.
- Recognizing SPADC and its objectives, sections, functions, and staff.
- Introducing the mechanism of the general performance in the Center, materials used, and the most important aspects in produced materials that the Center focuses on.
- Paying field visit to laboratories located in the Center and the functions of each lab separately.
- Being aware of the operation of some devices used for manufacturing various types of plastic and methods of forming plastic, such as extrusion, casting, or molding.
- Being aware of some produced samples which are subjected to certain tests, such as tensile strength, flow rate, friction resistance, fusion temperatures, and shock resistance.
- Enhancing the theoretical knowledge of applied side, which had the greatest positive impact on enriching what have been studied theoretically.
In conclusion, we thank Dr. Sami Abdulaziz Al-Hussein, Head of the Department, who gave us the opportunity to visit SABIC and we thank SABIC Company for receiving us. Additionally, we extend our thanks to Ms. Maha Abdulnaser Al-Ali, Deputy Head of the Department, Ms. Arwa Sultan Al-Qahtani, and Ms. Maha Khaled Al-Askar, the Club Supervisor.
