Cristal to double TiO2 capacity by 2010

20 June 2008 03:15  [Source: ICIS news]

BANGKOK(ICIS news)--Cristal Global, the world's second largest titanium dioxide (TiO2) producer, plans to double the capacity of its plant at Yanbu in Saudi Arabia by 2010, a source close to the company said on Friday.

"This is the second phase of our expansion programme, based on our bullish view on TiO2 demand in Asia and the Middle East," the source said on the sidelines of the 12th Asian Chlor-alkali Conference.

In Phase I of the expansion plan, to be completed by end-2008, the capacity would be increased to 180,000 tonnes/year from the current 150,000 tonnes/year.

Phase 2 would involve doubling that capacity to 300,000-360,000 tonnes/year by 2010, he said.

The key export markets being targeted include Turkey, China and India, he said.

"Cristal has already begun exporting significant volumes to China, and this will increase when the expansions come on stream," he added.

The two-day conference, organised by ICIS and Tecnon OrbiChem, ends on Friday.

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By: Prema Viswanathan
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