The petrochemical sector has been strongly represented for years in the Western Mining Region of Limburg. SABIC, an international petrochemical company with its European headquarters in Sittard and a production plant in Geleen (Chemelot) are key sector representatives in the Maastricht Region.

As many as 2,000 people work at SABIC in this region, while there are more than 30,500 worldwide. SABIC produces raw materials for the production of plastics based on hydrocarbons. The SABIC plants in Geleen take up approximately 40% of the Chemelot business park. The Geleen location is connected to a large pipeline network that links Antwerp, Rotterdam and the Ruhr area. These pipelines are used to supply the raw materials for the SABIC cracking units.
 
The nafta crackers produce mainly the gases ethylene and propylene. These are the raw materials for the plastics polyethylene and polypropylene. In addition, benzines and a number of other chemical substances are produced by the crackers, such as benzene, acetylene, ethane, butane and ETBE. Eight different follow-up plants make polyethylene and polypropylene from ethylene and propylene under high and low pressure. These are incorporated by clients into articles such as cars, crates and packaging.

In Geleen, SABIC Europe has two nafta crackers, three high-density polyethylene plants, four low-density polyethylene plants, two polypropylene plants, a benzene/butadiene plant and an ETBE plant.

The entire process from the supply of the raw materials to the delivery of the plastics at clients involves a huge operation. The logistics departments in Sittard (planning), Geleen (loading and unloading) and the inland harbour in Stein (loading and unloading) are indispensable in this respect. Every day, approximately 800 trucks leave the plants with materials for clients.

Please contact Leo Burdorf for more information about investment inquiries for Performance Materials, Care Innovations, Logistics & Distribution, Petrochemicals and Automotive. Leo Burdorf s is employed as an expert in these clusters. He can provide you with more information about investment possibilities.

Leo Burdorf
+31 (0)6 52 09 43 29