OREANDA-NEWS. On 19 May 2016 SABIC inaugurated a new research facility at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus in Geleen. The official opening was done by the Governor of the Limburg Province Theo Bovens and Peter Borman, Director Regional Technology Affairs Europe at SABIC. The inspiring state-of-the-art research centre supports an extension of SABIC’s research capabilities in the area of innovative chemistry and materials, supporting the company’s vision to become the world leader in the chemical industry.

Official opening

The 200 guests included Governor Theo Bovens representing the Dutch Province of Limburg, Mr. Sjraar Cox, Mayor of Sittard-Geleen, where SABIC is based, Bert Kip, CEO of Brightlands Chemelot Campus and Henny Jacobs, Director Investment Projects Netherlands, Foreign Investment Agency. With one push of the button, Governor Bovens and Peter Borman unveiled a work of art by Marcel Timmers, symbolizing engagement and expertise.

Bert Groothuis, Director Corporate Sustainability Europe: “This research centre is the latest milestone in SABIC’s innovation journey, and combines our expertise in chemicals, polymers and excellence in innovative application development. SABIC continues to focus on innovation in chemistry and develop new and sustainability solutions together with customers and partners, which are being used in several markets, including transportation, packaging and building industries.”

He continued; “A great example is the development of a new product based in light weight foamed polyolefins, specifically developed for bumper applications for the automotive industry, with benefits such as improving fuel economy and reducing CO2 generation, noise and vibration and increasing safety and harshness (NVH) control. Our Technology & Innovation colleagues also developed so-called ‘renewable polymers’ for the packaging of for instance beverages, based on renewable feedstocks that are not competing with the food chain.”

Bert Kip, CEO Brightlands Chemelot Campus, shared the developments within Brightlands and the region: “With SABIC’s new research building, as well as some 300 SABIC scientists now active, the campus community will develop further. We are on our way to turning this community into a European material hotspot for businesses and research institutes with new and unprecedented opportunities to grow and innovate.”

Governor Theo Bovens, Representative of the King in the Limburg province congratulated SABIC and spoke about the importance of chemistry and innovation to the region. Bovens: “Limburg excels in transformation: from agriculture to mines, from mines to chemistry and from chemistry to knowledge industry. We will succeed in the transition into the most competitive and sustainable chemicals- and materials site of Western Europe, Chemelot 2025. Transition in Limburg is tradition, where an innovative company like SABIC feels and will continue to feel comfortable. The brand new Technology & Innovation building enables bright minds to work on a bright future, for SABIC, for Limburg and worldwide.”

Peter Borman, Director Regional Technology Affairs Europe, was responsible for the renovation, exterior and interior design of the new facility. He stated: “Due to the dedication of our team and the cooperation with Brightlands Chemelot Campus, we realized this challenging project within a short time period and highest safety standards. A good basis for further innovations in the future.”

About the Research Centre

The new research building accommodates over 130 Technology & Innovation employees. It can be characterized as inspiring and state-of-the-art, not only by top notch research equipment and facilities, but also the Open Office concept, as well as remarkable and natural materials, such as plantwalls and design furniture. The centre also includes a brainstorming room, supporting ‘out-of-the-box thinking’. Several labs complete the centre, where materials and applications are being developed and tested. The new building extends the research buildings of SABIC Technology & Innovation at the Brightlands Chemelot Campus, where approximately 250 employees focus on the research and development of chemicals and polymer materials, and are a central part of the European innovation labs in Geleen, Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands, Wilton -UK and Cartagena –Spain.