Don Owens joined SABIC in 2011 as a Lead Scientist in Process Technology and Innovation (T&I), where he was responsible for new process design, optimization, and scale-up, including the successful commercialization of a novel ultra-fine polyetherimide powder product in 2013.
Don then moved to the position of Senior Manager of the Engineering Thermoplastics Process T&I group with responsibilities for all interfacial polycarbonate and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) assets globally. This included managing all T&I aspects related to the successful licensing, start-up, and commercialization of a new PBT production plant in Mount Vernon, Indiana.
Prior to joining SABIC, Don worked as the Director of Research for Emergent Technologies Inc. (ETI) in Austin, TX, where he managed a team of researchers focused on supporting the business and intellectual property development efforts of several ETI portfolio companies in the areas of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, drug delivery, and pharmaceutical product development. These efforts included the successful buildout of a new cGMP manufacturing facility in Abilene, TX and the development of a novel tacrolimus inhalation product successfully tested through Phase I clinical trials.
Recently, Don took on the role of Senior Manager of the Nano and Adaptive Materials Group at SABIC’s Corporate Research & Development Center located at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia. In this capacity, he manages a team of scientists and engineers whose mission is to develop groundbreaking material solutions for existing and new market segments aligned with SABIC’s 2025 vision.