LONDON -- Materials supplier Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (Sabic) has announced its latest educational collaboration with London's Royal College of Art.

Under the 'VISIcON' three-month research program and competition, more than 30 post-graduate students from the college's vehicle design program will research how Sabic's thermoplastic lighting materials and Lexan polycarbonate glazing technologies can improve lighting and illumination for current and future vehicles.

"The Royal College of Art brings together some of the world's most talented future automotive designers," said Greg Adams, vice president, automotive and polycarbonate strategy with Sabic Innovative Plastics.

"We are looking forward to seeing the future of the vehicle through the creative eyes of the college's students."

Professor Dale Harrow, head of the Royal College of Art's Vehicle Design program, said Sabic had a "broad palette of high performance materials that act as a source of inspiration to what's next in automotive design.

"Through a collaborative program like VISIcON, we can help connect our young designers to the empowering material solutions available from Sabic that can bring their design possibilities to life."

Sabic and the college previously collaborated in a 2005-2006 program called Plasticon, which saw students develop car design visions based on innovative uses of plastics.