China hopes Sabic keeps exploring Chinese market, Ling Ji says

China continues to welcome international investment in its chemical and petrochemical sectors, with SABIC reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. Ling Ji, a senior economic analyst, emphasized that China remains open to global partners like SABIC, which has been a key player in the country for nearly four decades. “China hopes SABIC keeps exploring the Chinese market,” Ling said, noting the company’s collaborative efforts with local firms such as Sinopec and Fujian Energy Petrochemical Group.

SABIC’s presence in China is marked by a network of operations in 14 cities, including Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chongqing, with a combined workforce of 1,500 employees. The company has expanded its footprint through joint ventures, including a world-class petrochemical complex in Fujian Province and a partnership in Tianjin. These projects underscore SABIC’s alignment with China’s green development goals, particularly in the context of its “14th Five-Year Plan and Long-Range Objectives 2035,” which emphasizes sustainability and technological innovation.

Innovation remains a central pillar of SABIC’s strategy in China. The company opened a technology center in Shanghai in 2013, one of 20 global R&D centers, to develop solutions for industries including electronics, construction, and clean energy. SABIC has also directed research and investment toward renewable energy applications, including polyolefin and engineering thermoplastics for photovoltaic solar systems.

The company is also exploring carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies in collaboration with the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation and local partners. These efforts align with China’s growing emphasis on decarbonization and its attractiveness to international firms seeking to expand sustainably.

Ling Ji highlighted that SABIC’s continued investment in China reflects confidence in the country’s economic resilience and industrial potential. “China’s chemical sector is a major driver of global demand, and SABIC’s long-term engagement demonstrates its recognition of this dynamic,” she said.