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Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC): an interview with Mr Ibrahim Ouerghi, Senior Information Specialist
March, Springer attended a Corporate Library Day organized by the technical centres of Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) in Riyadh. The event was attended by a number of publishers and was organized by SABIC organization to facilitate discussion with regards to emerging trends and new technologies that are being used and explored in all areas of physical sciences and engineering. The event presented an excellent opportunity for publishers to meet and talk with SABIC scientists, to understand more about the new activities that the teams are carrying out and to learn about the challenges that they are facing. To help overcome some of these challenges SABIC subscribed to SpringerMaterials, one of the first organizations in the Middle East to do so. Based on Landolt-Brnstein, SpringerMaterials includes the most relevant and valid information from more than 8,000 peer-reviewed journals across all areas of physical sciences, materials science, chemistry and engineering. As well as the 400+ Landolt-Brnstein volumes, the database also includes the Database on Thermophysical Properties (a subset of the world renowned Dortmund Data Bank Software & Separation Technology) plus the Linus Pauling Files, a database on inorganic solid phases and chemical safety data. The database also comprises over 40,000 documents that companies can use to comply with REACH requirements (REACH is a European Community Regulation on chemicals and their safe use which deals with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemical substances). Extensive information is available on substances chemical and physical properties, hazards and safe use data, toxicity data and the impact of chemicals on the environment, making it a particularly useful resource to support the petrochemical industrys chemical risk and other policies. Additionally, all the information contained in SpringerMaterials is evaluated by a team of international experts for relevancy and accuracy.

LibraryZone spoke to Mr Ibrahim Ouerghi, SABICs Senior Information Specialist, to find out more about SABICs key research activities and how SpringerMaterials is helping with some of their research challenges.
7 LibraryZone: Mr Ouerghi, thank you for

agreeing to this interview. Can I first ask you to tell us a little bit about yourself and your role at SABIC (Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation)? 7 Ibrahim Ouerghi: I lead the Information Services team within Technology & Innovation (T&I), a SABIC department responsible for carrying out industrial research and providing technical support to SABIC affiliates.
7 LibraryZone: What types of research does 7 Ibrahim Ouerghi: Established in 1976,

7 LibraryZone: SABIC has seven regional

SABIC carry out?

SABIC is one of the top five petrochemical companies in the world. Its R&D activities encompass a vast array of products including chemicals, polymers, specialty plastics and chemicals, fertilizers and metals. SABIC research portfolio includes projects on the development of new products and processes as well as solutions to improve production operations in the plants.

offices based around the world. How do these offices work together? For example, do you share knowledge, processes or other resources? Or do the offices have their own areas of responsibility? 7 Ibrahim Ouerghi: SABIC is a global company. It owns 7 research centers across the globe, called SABIC Technical Centers (STCs). The Global Technology Network of T&I is distributed amongst the STCs to ensure that research projects are fully aligned with the market trends, that resources are used efficiently and that efforts are widely coordinated. This holistic approach is adopted by the Information Services teams to ensure that their resources, collections and services are available to all STCs.
7 LibraryZone:

7 Ibrahim Ouerghi: Nowadays, the main challenge for any information specialist is to keep up with the explosion of STM literature and the plethora of products brought to the market. Moreover, developments in IT and communication technology, legal and licensing issues and budget restrictions dont make STM product selection any easier. However, all these hurdles will never hamper corporate libraries from continuing to disseminate knowledge and fulfill their patrons needs in scientific and technical information. 7 LibraryZone: You subscribe to SpringerMa-

What information challenges, if any, do you experience, in particular in gathering the required information for SABICs areas of research expertise?

terials database. How does this resource help you with these challenges? 7 Ibrahim Ouerghi: Springer is one of the leaders in the science and technology publishing market, thanks to its many imprints and products. By marketing a content that has been viewed, reviewed and selected by peers and experts in all fields of science and technology, Springer makes the selection of the right

LibraryZone Summer 2011. For more information visit springer.com/librarians

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product easy despite the plethora of products brought to the market. Used as a resource to find the most reliable chemical and physical properties of materials, or to confirm and vaildate data coming out from the lab, SpringerMaterials undeniably contributes to the research output. The database helps in making newly developed products, particularly plastics and advanced materials comply with safety regulations.
7 LibraryZone: How could Springer improve

springer.com
SpringerMaterials a popular product among researchers and a must have instrument in the lab. In this regard, a partnership with a renowned lab equipment company could be a good option.
7 LibraryZone: Finally, what do you think will

SpringerMaterials? What else could Springer do to ensure that the database continues to meet the needs of your organization? 7 Ibrahim Ouerghi: Springer can improve the database interface. Navigation should be either by scrolling back and forth between pages or through the horizontal bar tabs. To enhance the search module, an additional search feature by structure would be welcome. Training sessions and webinars could also be used to make

be the key areas of research for your industry in the next few years? 7 Ibrahim Ouerghi: Oil prices, limited feedstock, and environmental concerns are pushing petrochemical companies to explore new ways to find renewable resources for raw materials and to manufacture products that are environmentally friendly. In the coming years we will see many major petrochemical companies going green. Simultaneously, we will see some startups emerging with totally new products in their basket.

LibraryZone Summer 2011. For more information visit springer.com/librarians