Borouge, a UAE-based leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, demonstrated its differentiated range of polyolefins products and competitive edge technologies at the K 2013 fair, the premier international trade fair for plastics and rubber held in Düsseldorf, Germany, on 16-23 October 2013.
Participating along with Borealis and NOVA Chemicals, Borouge reinforced its commitment to supplying innovative polyethylene and polypropylene based solutions that address the market demand for infrastructure, automotives and advanced packaging. It also showcased the value it creates for customers through its continuous expansion investments to meet their current and future needs.
The year ahead heralds a milestone year for Borouge with the climax of its significant expansion plans. Borouge’s growth in the polyolefins industry is mainly attributed to rapid urbanisation and growth of mega-cities boosting investments in advanced infrastructure applications such as water, gas and sewerage distribution systems, and power and communication wires and cables.
“Our ongoing investment in people and infrastructure reflects our exciting journey of growth, innovation and sustainability and confirms our commitment to our customers and the markets we serve,” said Hazeem Sultan Al Suwaidi, Senior Vice President Middle East, Africa and Exports (MEAE) at Borouge. “As the Middle East and Asia continue to experience impressive growth in several industrial sectors, Borouge has committed itself to significantly expand its manufacturing and commercial operations worldwide to meet the increasing demand for innovative plastics solutions.”
With the expansion of its manufacturing plant in Abu Dhabi, Borouge’s annual production capacity of polyolefins will be increased from 2 million tonnes to 4.5 million tonnes in 2014. Two new polyethylene plants and two new polypropylene plants will start up along with a new low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant delivering highly specialised polymers specifically for the growing wire and cable markets. Borouge will be commissioning and ramping up production during the course of the year in close cooperation with its business partners and the value chain. Borouge will also expand the annual capacity of its Compounding Manufacturing Plant in Shanghai from 50,000 tonnes to 90,000 tonnes to support the sales of compounded plastics resins mainly for the growing Chinese automotive market.
To further address the needs of its growing customer base, Borouge is expanding its commercial and supply chain networks throughout the region. In addition to its 10 sales offices spanning the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Borouge recently opened a representative office in Tokyo, and is planning to open four additional representative offices in Bangkok, Delhi, Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta during the beginning of 2014.
Borouge’s logistic network in China is also being improved by adding new warehouses in Tianjin and Ningbo to complement its existing Shanghai and Guangzhou logistic hubs in China and the one in Singapore. Based on the need to ship 1,100 containers every week from Borouge’s production plant in Abu Dhabi, further expansions to increase the efficiency of the global logistics supply chain network are planned for 2014.
As a company focused on Value Creation through Innovation, Borouge has invested in a new Innovation Centre in Abu Dhabi that will collaborate with the European Innovation Centres of Borealis, as well as with local and international educational institutions. Borouge will also relocate and expand its R&D Application Centre in Shanghai during 2014.
The planned growth in Borouge is supported by significant investments in people. At the height of its recruitment drive in marketing & sales, Borouge will be employing up to four people a week. Reinforcing its commitment to sustainability, Borouge has been recently awarded the Responsible Care® 14001 certification for its manufacturing and commercial operations, being the first company in the Gulf region to obtain this certification for its global operations.
Borouge is also advancing its sustainability drive by increasing engagement with government and policy makers regarding the disposal of plastics after their intended application. To support these efforts, two Sustainability Roundtables were held in Abu Dhabi in 2013 to address the need for sustainable waste management practices in the region.
Established in 1998 as a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and Austria based Borealis, Borouge is committed to providing innovative plastics solutions that address global challenges and contribute to sustainable development every step of the way.