SABIC's Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh Tops ICIS 2025 Power Leaders List
The world of the chemical industry has a new leader spotlighted in the recent ICIS Top 40 Power Players ranking for 2025. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO of SABIC, has achieved the first position, demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovative strategies that have a positive impact not just on his company but also on the broader chemical sector. His leadership style is characterized by a strong focus on sustainability and operational excellence, key factors that have allowed SABIC to thrive amidst changing market conditions.
Al-Fageeh's ascent to the top position highlights the progressive changes SABIC has undergone under his guidance. Notably, the company has streamlined its operations by divesting from its metals business and implementing a strategy to shut down less efficient plants in Europe. This restructuring has freed up resources, allowing for significant investments in large-scale chemical projects in the burgeoning markets of Asia and Saudi Arabia. One major project is the $6.4 billion cracker venture in Gulei Industrial Park, China, which is expected to launch in 2026 through SABIC's partnership with FUJIAN Petrochemicals. This undertaking not only expands SABIC's footprint in China but also signifies a key milestone for the company's future in this critical market.
Moreover, under Al-Fageeh's leadership, SABIC is leading the charge in promoting circular economy principles within the plastic sector. With a bold ambition to process 1 million tonnes of waste plastics annually by 2030, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable practices in the industry. In late 2024, SABIC, alongside Plastic Energy, successfully completed the SPEAR joint venture project in Geleen, Netherlands, which enables the processing of up to 20,000 tonnes of mixed waste plastics per year into valuable recycled polymers.
The ICIS Top 40 Power Players ranking not only celebrates the accomplishments of these business leaders but also serves as an industry benchmark for excellence in several key dimensions such as innovation, profitability, and commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The editorial team at ICIS evaluates candidates on a multitude of factors, and upon this criteria, the collective vote from the CEOs in the Top 40 determines the CEO of the Year award later in the calendar year, which saw Arkema's CEO Thierry Le Henaff take home the award in 2024.
Established over 150 years ago, ICIS continues to serve as a trusted source of data and analytics across the chemical, fertilizer, and energy markets, empowering decision-makers worldwide with valuable insights. The ICIS editorial team remains unwavering in its commitment to identifying and heralding individuals who are making substantial contributions that resonate within the community and beyond.
As the chemical industry evolves, leaders like Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh embody the change required to foster both growth and sustainability. His efforts certainly position SABIC as a trailblazer in the future of the chemical landscape. The implications of this recognition extend well beyond employment figures; they resonate through policies, environmental stewardship, and holistic approaches to business that balance profitability with society’s needs.
With Al-Fageeh at the helm, SABIC is well-prepared to innovate and navigate the complexities of the future, reinforcing the importance of visionary leadership in today's intricate market dynamics. As the world turns its focus towards sustainable development and responsible corporate stewardship, leaders like Al-Fageeh will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the path forward for the industrial sector.
Al-Fageeh's ascent to the top position highlights the progressive changes SABIC has undergone under his guidance. Notably, the company has streamlined its operations by divesting from its metals business and implementing a strategy to shut down less efficient plants in Europe. This restructuring has freed up resources, allowing for significant investments in large-scale chemical projects in the burgeoning markets of Asia and Saudi Arabia. One major project is the $6.4 billion cracker venture in Gulei Industrial Park, China, which is expected to launch in 2026 through SABIC's partnership with FUJIAN Petrochemicals. This undertaking not only expands SABIC's footprint in China but also signifies a key milestone for the company's future in this critical market.
Moreover, under Al-Fageeh's leadership, SABIC is leading the charge in promoting circular economy principles within the plastic sector. With a bold ambition to process 1 million tonnes of waste plastics annually by 2030, the company is positioning itself at the forefront of sustainable practices in the industry. In late 2024, SABIC, alongside Plastic Energy, successfully completed the SPEAR joint venture project in Geleen, Netherlands, which enables the processing of up to 20,000 tonnes of mixed waste plastics per year into valuable recycled polymers.
The ICIS Top 40 Power Players ranking not only celebrates the accomplishments of these business leaders but also serves as an industry benchmark for excellence in several key dimensions such as innovation, profitability, and commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. The editorial team at ICIS evaluates candidates on a multitude of factors, and upon this criteria, the collective vote from the CEOs in the Top 40 determines the CEO of the Year award later in the calendar year, which saw Arkema's CEO Thierry Le Henaff take home the award in 2024.
Established over 150 years ago, ICIS continues to serve as a trusted source of data and analytics across the chemical, fertilizer, and energy markets, empowering decision-makers worldwide with valuable insights. The ICIS editorial team remains unwavering in its commitment to identifying and heralding individuals who are making substantial contributions that resonate within the community and beyond.
As the chemical industry evolves, leaders like Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh embody the change required to foster both growth and sustainability. His efforts certainly position SABIC as a trailblazer in the future of the chemical landscape. The implications of this recognition extend well beyond employment figures; they resonate through policies, environmental stewardship, and holistic approaches to business that balance profitability with society’s needs.
With Al-Fageeh at the helm, SABIC is well-prepared to innovate and navigate the complexities of the future, reinforcing the importance of visionary leadership in today's intricate market dynamics. As the world turns its focus towards sustainable development and responsible corporate stewardship, leaders like Al-Fageeh will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the path forward for the industrial sector.
Topics Business Technology）
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