Saudia Arabia’s $50 billion petrochemical major Sabic on Friday opened its technology centre in Bangalore to conduct research in chemistry, material science, process engineering and analytics. The centre, built with an investment of $100 million (Rs 620 crore), is one of Sabic's 17 global R&D centres of excellence.
The Sabic Technology Centre has employed over 300 scientists from India.
Sabic is a diversified manufacturing company, active in chemicals and intermediates, industrial polymers, fertilisers and metals.
“The research facility will cater to global and regional needs of our diversified customers,” Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) chief executive Mohamed H. Al-Mady said after the inauguration of the tech centre, on the outskirts of the city, today.
Saudi Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thenayana Al-Saud unveiled the technology centre, spread over 46 acres.
“India is an important market for us in Asia, which is why our investment here is significant,” the Prince, who is also chairman of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, said.
As part of Sabic’s 17 global research & development (R&D) centres, the Bangalore centre will conduct research in many related fields, including products and processes for its global customers.
“As an integral part of our global R&D strategy, the centre will carry cutting-edge research in new platforms for next-generation materials across the industry sectors spanning construction, clean energy, electronics, medical devices and transportation,” Al-Mady said.
Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and Union Minister of State for Chemicals & Fertilisers Srikant Kumar Jena and Union Minister of Minority Affairs Rahman Khan were present on the occasion.
Going forward, the centre will have the largest number of scientists and researchers worldwide, with plans to double the headcount to 600 over the next 12-18 months, using the wealth of talent available across the country.
“We are gathering some of the best and brightest talent in India to shape the future of our R&D efforts and reaffirm our commitment to be the preferred technology partner for our Asian customers,” Sabic vice-president Ernesto Occhiello said.
The company plans to invest $500 million over the next five years in India and China where it is setting up a similar technology centre in Shanghai. Its other dedicated application centres are at Moka in Japan and Sungnam in South Korea.
As a major investor, the Saudi government has 70 percent equity state in Sabic, with the remaining 30 percent held by private investors in the kingdom and other Gulf countries.
