SABIC Unveils S$220 million Thermoplastic Plant in Singapore to Boost Regional Production

SABIC, a global leader in diversified chemicals, has officially inaugurated its cutting-edge US$170 million (S$220 million) ULTEM™ resin manufacturing facility in Singapore. This marks SABIC’s first advanced specialty chemicals production plant in the Asia-Pacific region, designed to produce ULTEM™ resin, a high-performance thermoplastic used in critical, high-tech applications. The new facility is a strategic investment that supports SABIC's ambitious plan to increase its global ULTEM™ resin production capacity by more than 50%, in response to the growing demand for advanced materials in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly from high-tech industries in Japan, China, and beyond.

The opening ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Low Yen Ling, Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Khalid H. Al-Dabbagh, Chairman of SABIC’s Board of Directors, Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, SABIC’s Chief Executive Officer, and Omar Al-Harthi, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Singapore. The project has received robust support from Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB), reinforcing SABIC’s commitment to establishing a localized, reliable supply of high-performance materials to meet the increasingly complex demands of modern supply chains across the region.

In her remarks, Minister Low Yen Ling underscored the significance of SABIC’s new facility, noting that it further solidifies Singapore’s position as a leading hub in the Energy & Chemicals sector. She highlighted the strategic role the country plays in addressing the evolving needs of high-tech industries, ensuring that Asia can meet its growing demand for advanced specialty chemicals.

Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, SABIC’s CEO, expressed the company’s enthusiasm in utilizing Singapore’s advanced manufacturing capabilities to produce one of the world’s most sophisticated plastics, emphasizing that the ULTEM™ resin facility represents a long-term commitment to supporting the region’s high-tech economies and advanced manufacturing sectors. He further stressed that Singapore’s extensive network of trade agreements gives SABIC a competitive edge in accessing key markets across the region, enhancing the company’s ability to respond to fast-growing sectors like mobility, healthcare, and electronics.

Lim Wey Len, Executive Vice President of the Singapore Economic Development Board, highlighted that the opening of the ULTEM™ resin plant reflects SABIC’s confidence in Singapore’s strategic position as a key regional manufacturing hub. She also noted that the facility would significantly contribute to Singapore’s goal of capturing the rising demand for high-performance specialty chemicals in Asia. As industries across the region embrace next-generation materials, the new plant will enhance the capabilities of Singapore’s chemicals sector, fostering innovation in sectors like mobility, electronics, and telecommunications.

Beyond production, the facility also exemplifies SABIC’s commitment to advancing local talent development. The company has prioritized knowledge transfer and skill-building initiatives, integrating global expertise with Singapore's skilled workforce. This holistic approach to expansion reflects SABIC’s long-term investment in human capital, ensuring the region's talent pool is well-equipped to manage the production of some of the world’s most advanced materials.

With its strategic location, cutting-edge technology, and deep alignment with Singapore’s broader economic objectives, the new ULTEM™ resin facility positions SABIC at the forefront of high-performance material production in the Asia-Pacific region. The plant will play a key role in meeting the growing demand for sustainable, high-performance materials, supporting industries that are increasingly dependent on advanced plastics to drive innovation in products ranging from automotive components to medical devices and next-generation electronics.