State-of-the-art polyolefin logistics centre reinforces SABIC’s long-term commitment to serving its UK customers.Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), one of the world’s top six petrochemical companies, officially opened – 22nd of November – its state-of-the-art polyolefin logistics centre in north-east England, which is replacing SABIC’s current logistics centre in the UK. Located in Middlesbrough, Cleveland, the new facility underlines SABIC’s long-term commitment to serving its UK customers.
The centre’s fully scaleable design will ensure that SABIC is equipped to meet current and future market demand for all the products in its broad polyolefin portfolio, which includes Linear Low Density Polyethylene film (LLDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP).
The centre is operated by Bertschi, the Swiss logistics and transport specialists. The company attained SABIC’s contract on the strength of its proven record in container and bulk material handling. Hans-Jörg Bertschi, President and CEO Bertschi group, comments: "This is a major step for our company in developing a network of pan-European polymer handling facilities. We are very proud to operate this new infrastructure on behalf of SABIC, with whom we have a long standing, excellent business partnership, including in developing innovative logistics solutions."
Commenting on the new facility, Raf Bemelmans, European Director for the Polymer Supply Chain: “Our investment in this logistics centre demonstrates SABIC’s faith in the UK market as a long-term consumer of polyolefin materials. The centre’s logistics systems will enable us to support the growing use of bulk polymer handling operations that eliminate the need for manual interventions, such as ‘ripping and tipping’. Bertschi’s experience in the transportation and polymer handling industries combined with the centre’s state-of-the-art design will allow us to further enhance the service we provide to our UK customer base.”
Commenting on SABIC’s customer-first vision, Michael Allen, Sales Office Director SABIC UK concludes: “Our business strives to take a leadership position in petrochemicals. Among other commitments, this involves building a world-class European supply network capable of giving our customers dedicated support combined with a reliable supply of quality polyolefin products within competitive lead times. Our new logistics hub will play an instrumental part in delivering this vision.”
