SABIC's new Agri-Nutrients Strategic Business Unit (SBU) on Monday debuted its innovative strategic approach to the global agri-nutrients market at the 34th International Trade Exhibition for Agriculture, Water and Agro-Industry 2015, in Riyadh. Formerly known as Fertilizers SBU, the new name was selected to reflect the company strategy toward a broader, more innovative approach to the demands of a growing world population for more food. "I am pleased to report this major step forward in SABIC's quest to transform itself into a partner in the development of advanced products and cutting-edge technologies," said Khaled Al-Mana, SABIC Agri-Nutrients SBU executive vice president. "That transformation requires us to implement a more holistic, market-oriented approach to the way we do business – one that brings us ever closer to our customers and the markets they serve." The Agri-Nutrients SBU will lead the way for SABIC to become a more customer-focused organization. It will expand beyond the company's existing strong portfolio in "Basic nutrients" to develop "specialty nutrients," designed specifically to meet the particular needs of farmers and food producers to feed a growing world. The innovative approach is illustrated by NPK Date Palm, a new nutrient being showcased by SABIC at the exhibition. This product is a single-use fertilizer that enhances the date palm yield, improves the quality of the crop, and minimizes the challenge of "alternate bearing," or the tendency of a tree to produce a large crop one year, followed by below-average crop the next. "This solution provides the right nutrients to the crop, based on research and development," Al-Mana added. "That is the key aspect, along with the application methodology, which is based on best practices." Agri-Nutrients will further boost its offerings by adding compounding, logistics and advisory services, to ensure the more efficient introduction of crop-specific fertilizers and products. The new SBU will also be able to facilitate assistance to farmers with other SABIC SBUs such as polymers, whose products (LDPE, LLDPE, PP and HDPE) are used in products that serve the agricultural sector. These include irrigation pipes, greenhouses, Raffia bags, and plastic crates. — SG
