Sabic EuroPetrochemicals weighs locations for new HQ

16 September 2003 12:39  [Source: ICIS news]

GELEEN, Netherlands (CNI)--Sabic EuroPetrochemicals (EPC) is expected to decide on the location of a new, purpose-built European headquarters by the end of this year, it was disclosed here Tuesday.

The European arm of Saudi Basic Industries Corp (Sabic) is evaluating several potential sites in southern Netherlands, where its current headquarters are located at Sittard near the city of Maastricht and its Geleen petrochemicals complex.

The Sittard headquarters is a legacy of DSM Petrochemicals, the Dutch company sold last year to Sabic and renamed Sabic EuroPetrochemicals.

The planned new building, expected to take up to about two years to complete, would be designed to house the approximately 450 Sabic EPC employees currently located at Sittard plus provide room for future expansion.

An architect has yet to be chosen for the project but the multi-million euro new headquarters is expected to make a similar, bold design statement as Sabic's new global headquarters in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Rik van Druten, Sabic EPC spokesman, said that several potential locations were under evaluation but the new site was likely to be located within reasonable distance of Sittard.

It is understood that regional subsidies are likely to play a significant part in the decision but Sabic EPC would not be drawn on any further such details.

By: Neil Sinclair
+44 20 8652 3214

For the latest chemical news, data and analysis that directly impacts your business sign up for a free trial to ICIS news - the breaking online news service for the global chemical industry.

Get the facts and analysis behind the headlines from our market leading weekly magazine: sign up to a free trial to ICIS Chemical Business.

Printer Friendly