RIYADH – Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) is preparing a plant in Gelsenkirchen, Germany to produce bimodal HDPE for blow molded bottle applications. Commercial production is due to start in the second quarter of this year. “Some processors are concerned about future supply of bimodal HDPE grades from Europe, so we think this is the right time for us to support the market,” said spokesperson Mario Scholle. The company is currently fine-tuning the grades and is already in talks with potential customers. Initially, the Gelsenkirchen plant will supply two grades, both with a density of 0.958 g/cm3, and with melt flow rates of 22 and 28 g/10 min (21.6 kg) respectively. The same grades, as well as grades intended for jerry cans, drums and other large containers, will also be produced at one of the company's plants in the Kingdom. Production will start in the third quarter of 2013. Meanwhile, Siemens Smart Grid and SABIC Polyolefine GmbH based in Gelsenkirchen have established a partnership to develop a solution for energy data management in energy-intensive industries. The focus is on the petrochemicals processes of Gelsenkirchen plant – SG