#Yarn & Fiber

2023-03-23

SABIC announces appointment of Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Member of the Board

The Board of Directors of SABIC, a global leader in the chemicals industry, confirmed the appointment of Mr. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Member of the Board, effective March 21, 2023. Al-Fageeh has served as acting CEO of SABIC since September 28, 2022, succeeding H.E. Mr Yousef Al-Benyan who was appointed Minister of Education for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by Royal Decree.

“Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh is a proven leader, demonstrated during his long tenure at SABIC. He is well-positioned to continue driving sustainable growth for our customers, employees, shareholders and communities,” said Khalid Hashim Al-Dabbagh, Chairman of SABIC’s Board of Directors. “The future remains bright for SABIC, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the chemicals industry as we continue to innovate and expand in order to meet the needs of our ever-changing world. The Board of Directors is confident in SABIC’s ability to continue to realize its vision to be the preferred world leader in chemicals.”

Al-Fageeh joined SABIC more than 35 years ago and has held several key leadership posts within the company. In addition to his role as acting CEO, Al-Fageeh led SABIC’s largest business as Executive Vice President, Petrochemicals since its creation in October of 2016.

“I am grateful to the SABIC Board for their confidence in appointing me as CEO and a board member of SABIC,” said Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh. “For over 40 years, SABIC has been driven by a burning ambition to define the future of the dynamic chemicals market. Today, as an industry leader, we have a unique responsibility and opportunity to improve the lives of those around the world by enabling a more sustainable and carbon neutral future. I look forward to continue leading our team as we seek to find sustainable solutions to some of the toughest challenges our world and customers face.”

Additional positions Al-Fageeh has held at SABIC include Executive Vice President for Polymers; Executive Vice President, Performance Chemicals; Vice President, Polyethylene Business and President of YANSAB. He has also chaired SABIC affiliates Petrokemya, Sadaf, Ibn Sina, Shrouq, Yanpet, Kemya, SAMAC, SABIC SK Nexlene Company, Gulf Coast Growth Ventures and SABIC Fujian. He has also chaired the respected World Plastics Council (WPC), an NGO, working efficiently to promote the ethic of sustainability and the responsible use of plastics and currently he is the Chairman of SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company and the Nusaned Investment Company. He is also the Chairman of the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association and the chairman of Petrochemical Manufacturers Committee, Mr. Al-Fageeh is also on the Board of the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu and Saudi General Authority of Foreign Trade (GAFT).

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Grasim Industries announces fresh investment of ₹3094 Crore to expand Lyocell capacity

Grasim Industries Limited, the flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group and a global leader in cellulosic fibres, today announced an investment of ₹3,094 crore, for Phase II Lyocell capacity of 110K TPA at Harihar, Karnataka. This expansion will consist of 2 lines of 55K TPA (150 Tons per day) each. The first line is expected to be commissioned by 2028, and the second line is expected to be commissioned by 2030.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

ITM 2026 makes happy participants with its international and qualified visitor profile

ITM 2026 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, one of the most prestigious meeting points of the textile machinery sector, attracted attention in its first three days, particularly with its diverse international visitor numbers. Industry professionals from all over the world had the opportunity to closely examine the latest technology machines and solutions displayed in operation. Thousands of visitors from approximately 100 countries, primarily Egypt, Pakistan, India, Uzbekistan, Syria, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, met at the Tüyap Fair and Congress Center for new investment and cooperation opportunities.

KARL MAYER presents a textile TEXTRONIC® innovation at ITM 2026

With highly efficient machines and continuous textile innovations, KARL MAYER underscores its role as a reliable partner for discerning top-tier customers. Just in time for ITM 2026 in Istanbul, the industry leader is introducing a true innovation: an eyelash lace with its characteristic fringed look – combined with a previously unattainable 4-way stretch. While the established fabric could until now only be produced as rigid version or with one-dimensional stretch, the new elasticity in both dimensions expands the possibilities for cross-band panel fabrics.