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SABIC creates new venture capital arm to invest in companies with innovative technologies

The Saudi Basic Industries Corporation ( SABIC ) has announced the launch of a new global corporate venture capital arm, SABIC Ventures, in the Netherlands, with the primary goal of seeking out innovative technologies and businesses consistent with the company's global strategy.

SABIC Ventures aims to build up a portfolio of technology options for the company's future businesses. It will do this by investing directly both in seed stage, early stage and late stage companies. The new organization will both lead investment, co-lead and invest alongside venture capitalists.

Commenting on the launch of the organization, Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO, said that SABIC Ventures has been developed as an investment vehicle to accomplish profitable growth. " SABIC aspires to be the preferred leader in chemicals. We will accomplish this through organic growth by investing in new assets and expanding current assets; mergers and acquisitions in targeted areas; and new business creation. Venturing provides growth opportunities for new businesses."

SABIC Ventures will be funded by an Innovation Fund, which will be managed by the organization. The Fund will cover investments in start-up companies. Amongst the areas which have been designated for investments are advanced materials and composites; alternative feedstocks for chemicals and materials; and alternative energy and cleantech. At the same time, the organization will be constantly exploring new areas of interest.

The targeted countries for sourcing venturing investments are the USA, Europe and Asia. "The organization will have a global reach. We are building a global organization with deal flow and investment management support from all over the world," Al-Mady said.

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About SABIC
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation ( SABIC ) ranks among the world's top petrochemical companies. The company is among the world's market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.

SABIC recorded a net profit of SR 21 billion (US$ 5.6 billion) in 2010. Sales revenues for 2010 totaled SR 152 billion (US$ 40.5 billion). Total assets stood at SR 317 billion (US$ 84.5 billion) at the end of 2010.

SABIC 's businesses are grouped into Chemicals, Polymers, Performance Chemicals, Fertilizers, Metals and Innovative Plastics. SABIC has significant research resources with 18 dedicated Technology & Innovation facilities in Saudi Arabia, the USA, the Netherlands, Spain, Japan, India and China. The company operates in more than 40 countries across the world with 33,000 employees worldwide.

SABIC manufactures on a global scale in Saudi Arabia, the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. SABIC 's overall production has increased from 35 million metric tons in 2001 to 67 million metric tons in 2010.

Headquartered in Riyadh, SABIC was founded in 1976 when the Saudi Arabian Government decided to use the hydrocarbon gases associated with its oil production as the principal feedstock for production of chemicals, polymers and fertilizers. The Saudi Arabian Government owns 70 percent of SABIC shares with the remaining 30 percent held by private investors in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Samir Al-Abdrabbuh
Vice President,
Corporate Communications

© Press Release 2011