SABIC considers Houston for Americas headquarters

HOUSTON (ICIS)–SABIC is considering Houston as the company’s new head office for the Americas, the Saudi Arabia-based producer said on Saturday.

SABIC has chosen the US as the focus of its future growth plans, given the nation’s abundance of low-cost feedstock, the company said. As part of that focus, it and ExxonMobil are considering a project in San Patricio county, Texas, that will include a 1.8m tonne/year ethane cracker, a monoethylene glycol (MEG) plant and two polyethylene (PE) units.

SABIC’s decision on the Americas headquarters will depend on receiving the necessary building and environmental permits, the company said. The company did not say when it could make a decision.

The company’s announcement comes amid a US tour by Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman. He also visited Houston, where he presented a plaque to John Verity, president of ExxonMobil Chemical.

The programme in Houston was intended to last longer but was cut short.

“Diplomatic schedules can change at a moment’s notice, and we experienced such a change, which required a change to our order of events,” said Susan LeBourdais, specialist, communications, corporate affairs, SABIC.