RIYADH: Saudi Basic Industries Corp. is selling two overseas businesses for a combined $950 million as the world’s biggest petrochemicals maker continues to streamline its portfolio and redeploy capital toward higher-return segments.

The Riyadh-based company agreed to sell its European petrochemicals business to investment firm AEQUITA for $500 million and its engineering thermoplastics operations in the Americas and Europe to turnaround specialist Mutares for $450 million, SABIC said in a release.

The plastics deal includes an earn-out linked to future cash flow and a potential resale.

The transactions are part of SABIC’s portfolio optimization program launched in 2022, which has already seen divestments including Functional Forms, Hadeed and Alba. The company aims to sharpen its focus, improve returns, and free up capital for higher-growth opportunities.

Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO of SABIC, said: “This strategic approach allows us to actively reshape our portfolio and sharpen our focus on areas where SABIC has clear and sustainable competitive advantages in a rapidly changing landscape.”