Sittard, the Netherlands February 23, 2011 - SABIC, a global plastics industry leader, is extending its polymer portfolio for healthcare applications with the launch of two high-purity polypropylene (PP) random copolymers. Both new PP grades were developed specifically for healthcare applications, underscoring SABIC's strong commitment to the industry. SABIC will showcase the two new grades, one for a wide range of blow moulding applications, the other for injection moulded parts, at Pharmapack 2011 in Paris on February 23 and 24 (stand 176/178).

Extrusion-blow moulding grade SABIC® PP PCGR02 exhibits good contact transparency, outstanding impact strength and excellent processability. Key target applications include bottles and ampoules. The second new resin, SABIC® PP PCGR25, features the high clarity and good antistatic properties necessary for injection moulded housings of disposable syringes. It may also be used for other parts that benefit from its excellent optical properties as well as its broad processing window. SABIC® PP PCGR25 technology provides exceptional transparency for easy viewing of syringe contents and for attractive aesthetics. It also allows the use of lower melt processing temperatures than is normally the case for conventional random copolymers. Ben Raven, SABIC PP Technical Marketing Engineer, comments: "Converters may operate with significantly shorter cycle times and achieve energy savings of up to 15%. The use of this material also supports sustainability initiatives."

Peter Tackx, SABIC Business Development Manager, Healthcare, says: "We continuously invest in new product developments to support our customers develop safe and eco-responsible products while meeting stringent healthcare regulations. SABIC® PCG PP random copolymers are the best choice when it comes to key factors such as product stability, reliability, traceability and consistency, together with security of supply."

Tackx continues: "SABIC fully understands the challenges of the healthcare industry. We provide the security of a strong logistical network capable of holding and handling a sufficient level of supplies enabling continuous availability for customers worldwide. Current developments within the healthcare industry demand a strong and responsive partner. We offer a broad network of sales offices and manufacturing sites to provide customers with local expertise and a reliable supply of our SABIC® PCG range. SABIC's dedicated healthcare portfolio - SABIC® PCG - encompasses a wide range of polyethylene and polypropylene solutions for blow-fill-seal, blow moulding and injection moulding technologies.

The range supports a broad spectrum of healthcare applications, ranging from containers, bottles, closures and bags to ampoules and connectors. SABIC® PCG grades have a Drug Master File (DMF) number and comply with the relevant monographs of the European Pharmacopoeia (EP) and the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP VI)."

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About SABIC
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the world's top six 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 9 billion (US$ 2.4 billion) in 2009. Sales revenues for 2009 totaled SR 103 billion (US$ 27 billion). Total assets stood at SR 297 billion (US$ 79.2 billion) at the end of 2009.

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

The company has 19 world-scale complexes in Saudi Arabia. Elsewhere, SABIC manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific. SABIC's overall production has increased from 35 million metric tons in 2001 to 59 million metric tons in 2009.

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.

About SABIC in Europe
In Europe, SABIC has 13 world-scale production facilities which manufacture innovative plastics, polyethylenes, polypropylenes and chemical products. Throughout Europe, SABIC employs approximately 6000 people.

The main European offices for three of SABIC's strategic business units are located in The Netherlands - Innovative Plastics (Bergen op Zoom), Polymers (Sittard) and Chemicals (Sittard). They operate an extensive network of local sales offices and logistical hubs throughout Europe which are also responsible for the sales of products manufactured elsewhere in the world.

SABIC's European research facilities form part of the global Technology and Innovation organization and can be found in the Netherlands (Geleen and Bergen op Zoom) and Spain (Cartagena).

As an acronym, SABIC should be all caps whenever it appears in print.

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© Press Release 2011