JEDDAH: Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) is negotiating with Japanese firms to produce carbon fiber jointly in Saudi Arabia, news information service Platts reported April 6, quoting SABIC's CEO Mohamed Al-Mady. SABIC is looking to broaden its product lineup from basic chemicals to high-performance materials, according to Al-Mady, the Japanese leading financial daily Nikkei said. The carbon fiber venture would help strengthen the company's ties with Japan, he added, expressing hope for a deal. Mitsubishi Rayon and Toray Industries are interested in joint production will soon begin feasibility studies on the business proposition, the Nikkei said.