SABIC's global footprint meets local demand for protective products to help fight COVID-19

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a global leader in the chemical industry, is making a significant contribution to the fight against COVID-19 by increasing production of its LEXAN™ polycarbonate portfolio. The increased production is focused on innovative polycarbonate sheets and films used in a variety of high-performance products to help improve sanitation control and infection prevention.

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) has production facilities in Europe, Asia, and North and South America, giving it a major boost in its efforts to combat the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). This provides the company's Functional Forms business with the ability to manufacture and rapidly distribute sheet and film products around the world.

SABIC and its predecessors have a long history as innovators in polycarbonate technology, having invented polycarbonate resin in 1953 and beginning production of high-performance sheets and films in 1968. Since then, SABIC has excelled in polycarbonate development with more than 350 material grades. SABIC's Functional Tables business has led innovation in materials for applications in industries requiring safety, high optical quality, durability, antimicrobial properties, and products that are flame retardant, chemical and impact resistant.

LEXAN protective cloths and protective films are used in a wide range of industries that face unique hygiene and social distancing challenges during the pandemic. These include hospitals and clinics, nursing homes, dental practices, schools and kindergartens, retail and hospitality outlets, sports centres, reception areas and public transport, among others.

“There is an urgent need for protective equipment around the world, not only to fight the current outbreak, but also to improve safety and hygiene standards in the future,” said Sandeep Dhawan, Global Business Director, Functional Sector, SABIC. "As a company that has excelled in pioneering materials, we have the ambition to innovate and are committed to delivering the latest technology and expertise to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and help mitigate further infection."

Markets Take Action Against Pandemic With LEXAN Film and Sheet Solutions

As a testament to its global reach, SABIC has provided some of the world's leading organizations with innovative polycarbonate sheet and film solutions for some of the most demanding applications aimed at enhancing protection against COVID-19. Examples include:

Amtrak®, USA

Amtrak, the national railroad passenger company, selected SABIC's LEXAN™ Edge™ form for the design and installation of safety barriers on its food service vehicles to improve the safety of its customers and employees.

“The strength and durable visual quality of LEXAN polycarbonate sheet in demanding railroad environments, combined with its compliance with federal safety standards, allows Amtrak to handle today’s new challenge.".

Image Labels Ltd., India

Image Labels supplies face shields to government agencies, police departments, hospital groups and leading OEMs including Schneider, as well as dividers for taxis and other modes of transportation.

“Through our partnership with SABIC, we have entered our 25th year of successfully delivering leading polycarbonate solutions for a variety of applications,” said Sujan Naidlady, Managing Director of Image Labels. "We are especially grateful for the support that SABIC has provided to help overcome some of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic."

Kruger Airlines AG

For the industry to recover from the economic fallout of the pandemic, airlines must instil confidence in passengers using their planes without imposing empty seat policies. Krüger Aviation took up the challenge by developing a seat divider made from SABIC’s LEXAN™ F2000A polycarbonate sheet, which offers passengers a high level of protection from any aerosols generated by their neighbours. The seat dividers are attached to the middle seats, arranged in three rows, and the structure is simple, without any modification of the seats themselves, and a complete aircraft can be equipped in a few hours.

"While face masks may still be required, seat dividers will create an additional layer of protection and significantly reduce the risk of infection," said Florian Ehinger, head of customer service. "We believe this will be an extremely cost-effective way to help restore passenger trust in air travel."

Italian Focaccia Group

Using SABIC's LEXAN™ Edge™ Focaccia's MR53 polycarbonate sheet to design and fabricate the first "L" shaped COVID-19 barrier that can be installed in a vehicle to separate the driver from the passenger. Dubbed the "Elle Corona Stopper," the divider won't obstruct the driver, nor will it interfere with airbags, mirrors, seat belts or safety systems. It can be installed in minutes, can be removed without damaging the interior of the car, and can be completely sanitized.

Mr. Riccardo Focaccia, General Manager of the Focaccia Group, said: "SABIC's LEXAN tables allow us to provide the ideal characteristics of flexibility and creativity that we are known for in the manufacturing industry". "Even in challenging times, our ideas never stop, and the flexible polycarbonate solution enabled some of our other creative ideas to come to life.

SABIC products for better virus protection

SABIC's next-generation LEXAN sheet and film solutions are all about bringing Vital Chemistry™ to market. Our clear understanding of product requirements and performance attributes supports our customers' application success. The innovation journey will focus on technologies that support antimicrobial properties to aid its product portfolio in the fight against COVID-19. LEXAN polycarbonate solutions are available through a large network of localized distribution centers worldwide.