Frans Noteborn, the new chairman of Sabic EuroPetrochemicals, said he is looking forward to developing the company's role as a major player in Europe.

This follows Sabic's appointment of a new board for EuroPetrochemicals BV, the new company responsible for its European petrochemical business.

Noteborn was named chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the board, while Boy Litjens (chief operating officer) and Jan Hessel Kruit also join the board.

He said he is looking forward to working with Sabic's global structure and to developing Sabic EuroPetrochemicals as a major supplier in Europe. ''We will be a leading supplier of polyolefins and some petrochemicals in Europe and we are poised for future growth on Sabic's platform.''

He envisaged that growth will be achieved through a balanced strategy and said that Sabic could do that in two ways: continuous growth from its assets in Europe or by growing from importing products from the Middle East facilities into Europe through Sabic EuroPetrochemicals.

Noteborn has been managing director of DSM Petrochemicals since 2000. He joined the company in 1969, and has since held various positions.

Noteborn is actively involved in many industry associations and activities including plastics recycling, plastic packaging, and the APME steering committee.

Litjens has been with DSM since 1977 and has also held several positions, while Kruit joined DSM in 1967 and held several positions especially in the hydrocarbons business.

Mohamed Al Mady, vice chairman and managing director of Sabic, said: I have full confidence that this continuity of leadership and management will secure the transition and implementation of Sabic's business goals in Europe as part of our global strategy.