Sabic said it is expanding its technology center in Jubail Industrial City in line with its strategy to continue investing in technology and innovation, and create new market opportunities and products to cope with global growth.

The expansion project includes a new building adjacent to the existing center to be built at a cost of $11 million, and scheduled for commissioning by 2017.

The Conceptual Development Package has been completed and the project is now in Front End Engineering Package stage, said a statement from the company.

The Jubail center is a part of the company’s global research network of 19 Technology & Innovation facilities.

Ernesto Occhiello, Sabic executive VP for technology & innovation, said the center in Jubail has been earmarked for expansion specifically because of its proximity to Sabic’s manufacturing affiliates in the industrial city.

“The project, which is well in line with our 2025 strategy, will be instrumental in driving our research and development efforts, particularly in our chemicals and fertilizers business,” he added.

The new building will have a buildup area of 3,300 sq m on two floors out of which 1,500 sq m will be allotted for labs. The site’s total occupancy will be increased by 50 percent to accommodate 450 employees.-TradeArabia News Service