SABIC has announced a new phase of capacity expansion for its specialty oligomers based on polyphenylene ether (PPE) technology. This move follows previous increases in Asia and is aimed at meeting the rising demand for high-performance printed circuit boards (PCBs) used in data centers that support artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G applications.
Sergi Monros, vice president of SABIC Polymers, Specialties BU, stated: “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.”
The latest expansion in PPE oligomer production is expected to be completed in the second half of 2026. According to SABIC, this will help PCB manufacturers keep up with increasing demand while maintaining fast lead times. The company’s main product in this area is NORYL SA9000, a modified low-molecular-weight, bi-functional PPE oligomer grade designed for multilayer copper-clad laminates (CCLs) used in 5G base stations and high-speed AI server PCBs. This material offers heat resistance, dimensional stability, flame retardancy, and increased layer-count capability. It enables very low-loss CCL products with improved dielectric layer strength and provides flexibility for use in various solvent-based thermoset systems.
SABIC supplies a range of specialty materials intended to meet the demands of advanced electronics design for AI and 5G data centers. These include ULTEM resins for cooling fans and connectors; NORYL resins for air and cable guides; LNP FARADEX compounds for EMI shielding; LNP STAT-KON compounds for anti-static components; and LNP ELCRES copolymers for busbar covers.
More information about SABIC’s product offerings for AI data centers can be found on their website.
