SABIC Chair Supervisor Forward:

Catalytic processes and catalysts are the heart of petrochemical, oil processing, chemical industries and technologies for environmental protection. About 20 % from the Gross National Product of industrialized countries comes from application of catalytic technologies. The introduction of new catalysts and catalytic processes into practice is one of the main ways to improve the effectiveness and competitiveness of the industry in the area of oil processing, petrochemical and chemical industries.

Catalyst research and development therefore should be a cornerstone for establishing a competitive technological base in the oil processing, petrochemical and chemical industries in Saudi Arabia and for SABIC in particular, which is becoming a major producer and exporter of petrochemicals in the world.

Taking into account the tendencies for future economic development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in which the most important industries are oil processing and petrochemistry and the key role which industrial catalysis is playing for their development and economical performance SABIC decided to established the SABIC Chair of Heterogeneous Catalysis at King Abdulaziz University (KAU) in Jeddah.

Dr. Yahia A. Alhamed

SABIC Chair Supervisor
Chairman of Chemical and Material Engineering Department