Founded in 1976, SABIC is a top petrochemical company, active in 40 countries. The company had a global turnover that amounted to more than 40 billion dollars in 2010 and employs more than 6,000 people in Europe.
SABIC took its first steps into the European market in 2002, taking over DSM Petrochemicals and aquiring a top position in the Dutch petrochemical industry. The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) was involved closely from the beginning. “The NFIA is a true partner that not only advises us, but thinks proactively along with us,” said Simona Maassen, Manager of Public Affairs at SABIC in Europe. “As a large foreign company, it is not easy to find your way in a new country. From the beginning onward, NFIA has supported us, guided us and helped us find our way around the various government institutions.”
At present, nearly a decade after the takeover of DSM Petrochemicals, two of the SABIC’s six global Technology & Innovation Centers are located in the Netherlands. “Nearly all of our European research, which focuses on both product and process innovation, takes place in the Netherlands,” commented Maassen.
The most important benefits for SABIC to relocate to the Netherlands are related to the location, said Maassen, “Take our location in Geleen: SABIC is situated in the Chemelot chemical industry park, where leading players in the chemical industry, supply companies and a complete Research and Business Campus are located. The infrastructure of the premises are exceptional and all parts are integrated with each other, so we can work efficiently and keep our costs low.”
