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SABIC, developing innovative solutions for India’s electric vehicle and renewable industry – EQ Mag

SABIC, developing innovative solutions for India’s electric vehicle and renewable industry – EQ Mag

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In conversation with SABIC’s Abdullah Al-Otaibi, GM, ETP & Market Solutions, Petrochem on how SABIC continues to invest in the right capabilities and competencies for the future.

The EV and the renewable industry in India is gaining momentum and the potential for the sector is immense. Both the value chains are scouting for solutions to reduce weight, cost, and complexity and increase efficiency, durability, ease of manufacturing and safety. In conversation with SABIC’s Abdullah Al-Otaibi, GM, ETP & Market Solutions, Petrochem on how SABIC continues to invest in the right capabilities and competencies for the future.

1.What are SABIC’s plans and projects for the India market in the next 5-year time horizon?

In the automotive space, SABIC’s focus is concentrated on developing and providing the right materials, solutions, and expertise to help the industry meet the most pressing needs of the hour. Key areas of focus for us include vehicle electrification, light weighting, LED lighting and sustainability. Electric vehicle – Renewable industry

SABIC continues to invest, as appropriate, in the right capabilities and competencies to support the automotive industry’s changing needs. This includes the ongoing R&D activities at the SABIC Technology Center in Bengaluru, which is part of our global R&D network. Through our work at STC-B, we seek to bring the best of the world to all regions and our team in India is a vital part of this mission. This ensures SABIC’s contribution in ensuring that the Indian automotive industry in India is not only keeping pace with global technology developments but also playing a key role in setting the innovation pace

2.What is the Indian market’s potential for petrochemicals in the EV segment?

The potential for India in this sector is immense. The EV segment is still an emerging industry in India and other parts of the world. When considering EV battery packs and related EV components and systems, legacy materials and manufacturing approaches were dominating till recently.

As an industry, we see a shift in this trend. The EV value chain is scouting for solutions to reduce weight, cost, and complexity and to increase efficiency, ease of manufacturing and safety. Electric vehicle – Renewable industry

Engineering thermoplastics has the potential to be the answer to these pressing requirements. As we have worked with the industry to validate thermoplastic solutions for EV applications, we gained confidence in the potential of plastics to penetrate this space. Today, we already see SABIC thermoplastics on Indian roads in battery pack applications, such as battery cell carriers in EV battery packs on passenger vehicles and components within a battery pack application for two-wheelers.

3.What are the latest technologies that SABIC is investing in or developing for manufacturing materials for electric vehicles and renewables such as floating solar panels?

For EVs, we have invested heavily in flame retardant (FR) materials for use in various battery pack components and systems. We have developed unique material technologies to support the industry’s need to comply with battery safety requirements and regulations. For example, FR versions of our STAMAX™ long-glass fiber polypropylene, meet some of the most stringent requirements in the world. Electric vehicle – Renewable industry

In addition to FR materials, our focus lies in developing solutions and expertise to support and advance large parts of manufacturing, (joining and assembly methods) and application design and verification approaches. All the above-mentioned developments fall under an initiative known as BLUEHERO™ which was officially launched last year. Under its umbrella, we have developed novel materials and ready-to-apply solutions for the industry to make the shift to vehicle electrification. This work is underway, and we are excited about our progress across the value chain along with our partners.

4. What do you consider as India’s competitive advantage in the field of materials for EVs and renewable energy?

In one word – it is talent. India has a high level of technical knowledge and engineering expertise. At SABIC, we know this first-hand with the outstanding technologists who are part of our team at STC-B, including 500 researchers and scientists, who are a vital part of our global R&D network. Electric vehicle – Renewable industry

Our global research and development talent drives the highest standard of quality and technology for global operations from India.

Source: PTI
Anand Gupta Editor - EQ Int'l Media Network