We present the ICIS Top 40 Power Players, the CEOs and senior executives driving the greatest positive impact on their companies and the industry. These leaders are selected by the global ICIS editorial news team for demonstrating excellence and vision in one or more of the following areas: Innovation, Profitability/Shareholder Value, Projects, M&A/Portfolio Management, Advocacy and ESG. 2024 was a challenging year for leaders in the chemical industry and more challenges await in 2025, particularly with a high level of uncertainty on geopolitics, government policies, energy development, logistics and global macroeconomic outlook.
ICIS has released the 2025 ICIS Top 40 Power Players list, which ranks the world's top chief executives and senior leaders making the most positive impact within their companies and across the chemical industry.
The 2025 ICIS Top 40 Power Players are featured in the January 10, 2025 issue of ICIS Chemical Business (ICB).
Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), tops this year's ranking, followed by Dow CEO Jim Fitterling and Karen McKee, president of ExxonMobil Product Solutions, securing second and third positions respectively.
SABIC has streamlined operations through divesting its metals business and shutting down inefficient plants in Europe, while simultaneously investing in major chemical projects across Asia and Saudi Arabia.
"Al-Fageeh oversaw the development of the $6.4 billion cracker project at Fujian Sino-Saudi Petrochemical Company's complex in Gulei Petrochemical Industrial Park," said Joseph Chang, Global Editor of ICIS Chemical Business. "Scheduled for commissioning in 2026, this joint venture will mark another milestone for SABIC in the Chinese market."
He added: "SABIC also leads in circular economy initiatives, targeting annual processing capacity of 1 million metric tons of waste plastics for recycled polymer production by 2030."
In November 2024, SABIC completed its SPEAR (SABIC Plastic Energy Advanced Recycling) joint venture with Plastic Energy in Geleen, Netherlands, establishing 20,000 metric tons/year mixed plastic waste processing capacity.
Selected by ICIS's global editorial team, the Top 40 Power Players recognize exceptional leadership and vision across one or more of the following criteria: innovation, profitability/shareholder value, project execution, M&A/portfolio management, advocacy, and ESG (environmental, social and governance) performance.

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