SABIC EXPANDS PPE OLIGOMERS CAPACITY FOR AI AND 5G DATA-CENTER PCBS

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has announced another incremental expansion phase for the production of its specialty oligomers based on polyphenylene ether (PPE) technology. The commitment builds on previous capacity increases in Asia and meets with the rapidly growing demand for high-performance printed circuit boards (PCBs) in data centers serving the needs of artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G applications.

Sergi Monros, vice president, SABIC Polymers, Specialties BU adds: “As AI is infused into virtually every industry and environment, the data center market needs unique material solutions to support high-speed, high-bandwidth, low-latency infrastructure and deliver new levels of performance and reliability. Besides investing in specialty materials and services to accelerate new product development in this field, SABIC also maintains a dedicated patent portfolio to protect the intellectual property behind innovative solutions developed for its customers.”

NORYL^™ PPE oligomers for PCB laminates

The further expansion in PPE oligomers is scheduled for completion in the second half of 2026 and will help PCB manufacturers maintain fast lead times as the demand for their products continues to rise. SABIC’s flagship in this segment is NORYL SA9000, a modified low-molecular-weight, bi-functional PPE oligomer grade for high-performance multilayer copper-clad laminates (CCLs) used in 5G base stations and high-speed AI server PCBs. The material combines high heat resistance, dimensional stability and flame retardancy with increased layer-count capability to achieve very low-loss CCL products with enhanced dielectric layer strength. It offers formulating flexibility in existing CCL production operations and has a proven fit for incorporation in various different solvent-based thermoset systems.

Specialty materials for critical data center performance

Data centers for AI and 5G pack powerful electronics into confined spaces, demanding advanced materials for next-gen design and engineering. Beyond PPE oligomers, SABIC offers a wide range of specialties resin and compounds with unique benefits, lightweight strength, thermal and electrical conductivity, optical clarity, chemical resistance, and cooling capabilities.

Examples include:

ULTEM^™ resins – cooling fans, liquid cooling connections, signal connectors, on-board optics

NORYL^™ resins – air and cable guides

LNP^™ FARADEX^™ compounds – EMI shielding

LNP^™ STAT-KON^™ compounds – anti-static components

LNP^™ ELCRES^™ copolymers – busbar covers

Read more about our product offerings for AI data centers here.