Saudi petrochemicals manufacturer embraces innovative transformation

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the world's leading petrochemical manufacturers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is embracing innovative transformation by expanding its green technologies into more businesses.

The corporation is currently co-hosting the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference in Riyadh, which opened on Monday and has attracted more than 100 representatives from China and several Asian and European countries.

The group, initially focused on converting natural gas waste into petrochemical goods, has now expanded into various industries through the utilization of technology and innovation.

SABIC is the the first in the Middle East to win the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system for their construction of a house boasting net zero energy emissions.

Achieving the prestigious Platinum certification, the highest rating within the LEED rating system, which further underscored their commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.

SABIC's renowned Home of Innovation and its Plastic Applications Development Center (SPADC) hosts over 300 scientists and has been visited by nearly 10,000 people from the international business community. It has a global reach with its client base spanning 140 countries and a workforce exceeding 32,000 individuals.

The SPADC, with multiple facilities, is powered by solar panels designed not only to conserve energy but also to export excess electricity to neighboring homes.

Innovation at SABIC extends far beyond energy conservation. The company actively supports research and development across various sectors such as healthcare, construction, and automotive, utilizing both recycled and newly developed chemicals and plastics.

Meanwhile, with operations spanning 14 cities in China, SABIC's Chinese Research and Design Center is at the forefront of innovation, contributing to groundbreaking developments like Microsoft's computer products made from ocean waste. The company is also poised to expand its industrial investments in the Chinese market.

These innovation initiatives also align with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, which prioritizes increased local production and industrialization.

Saudi petrochemicals manufacturer embraces innovative transformation

Heavy rains pounded cities in south China's Guangxi Region from wee hours Sunday, disrupting traffic and trapping residents.

The meteorological observatory in Nanning City issued the highest-level rainstorm warning after the downpour, accompanied by thunderstorms, strong winds and hailstones started around 04:00 local time.

The heavy rainfall led to treacherous road conditions in the morning as rainwaters kept rising in low-lying areas. In response, the transportation department implemented traffic control measures on flooded roads to ensure safety.

Floodwater has accumulated to depths up to around one meter in some areas of Beihai City, trapping residents and vehicles in the morning. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene and successfully evacuated eight people and conducted inspections of 49 flooded vehicles to ensure safety.

The fire department also sent a high-powered drainage vehicle to carry out drainage operations in low-lying areas.

China's State Flood Control and Drought Relief Headquarters activated a Level-IV emergency response on Saturday due to anticipated heavy rainfall in parts of Guangdong, Guangxi and the Pearl River over the next three days.

Work teams have been dispatched to Guangdong to provide guidance on how to deal with rainstorm.

Heavy rain hits southern Chinese cities, disrupting commuting