SAUDI Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) is to have one of the highest patent numbers per researcher among major chemical companies, according to a top official.

“We have six researchers for each patent,” said Mohamed Al Mady, Sabic vice chairman and CEO.

His remarks came as Riyadh Governor Prince Khaled bin Bandar bin Abdulaziz inaugurated the sprawling Sabic Plastics Application Development Centre (SPADC) in the presence of a distinguished gathering in the Riyadh Techno Valley at the King Saud University (KSU).

Deputy Governor of Riyadh Prince Turki bin Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, Prince Faisal bin Turki bin Abdulaziz, Prince Saud bin Abdullah bin Thenayan Al Saud, chairman of Sabic and the Royal Commission of Jubail and Yanbu, Minister of Commerce and Industry Tawfiq Al Rabiah, KSU Rector Badran Al Omar, and Mohamed Al Mady, Sabic vice chairman and CEO were present at the event.

The centre covers an area of 42,000 square metre, and was built at a cost of SR472 million.

It will house over 200 Sabic scientists, engineers and technicians working in close research and development (R&D) collaborations with customers, academia and industrial research communities within the network of Sabic’s technology and innovation.

“The new facility is a clear indication of a strong and effective partnership between the private and public sectors in the kingdom,” Prince Saud said in his welcome address.

He said the support of the Riyadh governor at this function bears ample testimony to the government’s keenness on transfer of technology and to pave the way for a knowledge-based economy.

Welcoming the Riyadh governor, the prince thanked him for his support to the event as also his wholehearted support to several other similar events in various parts of Riyadh Province.

Initiated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources with strong support from King Saud University, the new centre was only made possible with the backing of the government and its determination to make Saudi Arabia a world leader in petrochemical research, he said.

“SPADC, which aims at fulfilling the needs of customers and collaborating with them to create dependable technical solutions, is the newest among Sabic’s research centres. It comes close on the heels of the recent launch of two research facilities in China and India,” he said.

“Since its inception in 1976 as a national company, Sabic is currently at the forefront of the global petrochemical companies,” he said, adding that Sabic’s strategy is to give priority to the needs of customers.

“So it has invested generously in areas of technical development and transfer of technology to develop a programme of independent research to serve several target areas, especially those in industrial, academic and community sectors.” This is a national effort with the cooperation of important bodies, including the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, said Rector Al Omar.

“At present, we have 14 companies operating under the Riyadh Techno Valley programme,” he added.

In his address, Al Mady said: “The new centre is yet another important step for Sabic to evolve further as an innovation-driven company, besides being an important driver of economic growth within Saudi Arabia’s efforts to become a knowledge-based economy.