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Chemists of the Future

We proudly champion a new generation of young chemists, driven by a deep sense of moral responsibility and bold belief in the business benefits of inspiring fresh talent.

Nurturing young minds is not just a moral imperative – the business case for it is also demonstrably strong. Recognizing this, SABIC has worked over the years to steer a new generation of chemists toward a greener future, instilling in them values that are central to SABIC's own vision for itself, the industry, and the planet at large.

One example is our flagship corporate social responsibility program “Lights of Our Future”. In 2024, we celebrated its 10th anniversary in China, marking a decade of inspiring youth to embrace chemistry since the program's first inception in the country.

The program, which has reached over 19,000 students in 80 schools in China over the past decade, is a collaboration with Junior Achievement (JA), a nonprofit organization specializing in student education in work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. The curriculum was developed with the support of nearly 1,000 SABIC employees, who collectively volunteered approximately 13,000 hours over the years, and features interactive lessons and problem-solving exercises.

“For over a decade, the Lights of Our Future program has encouraged environmental awareness and a passion for sustainability among China's youth,” explained Justin Wang, SABIC Vice President and Regional Head, China. “We have strengthened our connection with local communities and provided our employees with meaningful volunteer opportunities. SABIC's purpose of Chemistry That Matters™ continues to be our driving force.”

The program is part of SABIC's broader approach to blending chemistry and practical application in driving research. Over the years, SABIC has collaborated with some of the world's foremost academic institutions, such as MIT, Peking University, and King Saud University, in a bid to accelerate research in disruptive technologies and advance the global knowledge pool in science and engineering.

Another highlight this year, marking SABIC's longstanding partnership with Mawhiba (the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for Giftedness and Creativity), was hosting the 56th iteration of the International Chemistry Olympiad. The event brought together 333 of the brightest young chemists from 90 countries, supported by 260 mentors and 42 members of the scientific community, to compete at the highest level and showcase their skills and knowledge.

“Chemistry plays a vital role in driving societal progress, and events like the Olympiad are a powerful way to celebrate young talent and inspire the next generation of chemists who will shape the chemistry of tomorrow,” said the event organizers. As the host, SABIC was proud to provide its world-class facilities and take a leading part in organizing an enriching experience for participants. Beyond the competition, students engaged in more than 12 cultural and industry visits, including museum tours and a special trip to SABIC's research center, offering a broader perspective on chemistry's impact on innovation and sustainability.

Through these and various other multi-faceted initiatives, SABIC is shaping the future of chemistry, having already laid the groundwork for the next generation of innovators to grow the industry with the planet's wellbeing in mind.

_{Disclaimer: This abridged interactive version of the SABIC Integrated Annual Report 2024 is based on the original PDF report published on this website. In case of any discrepancy, the original PDF report will prevail.}

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Integrated Annual Report 2024

Chemists of the Future

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