SABIC plans move into polyurethanes production - Al-Mady

27 October 2010 14:40  [Source: ICIS news]

By John Baker

DUSSELDORF (ICIS)--Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) is planning to move into polyurethanes (PUs) production as part of a drive to expand its performance chemicals business, vice chairman and CEO Mohamed Al-Mady said on Wednesday.

A feasibility study was being carried out and SABIC was seeking technology to enter the PU market, Al Mady said at K2010, the international trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry.

He added that SABIC was already in discussions with technology providers and a systems house to produce PU products.

The petrochemicals giant would seek to become an integrated producer. “PU is important for SABIC and we will implement plans in the near future,” Al-Mady said.

He also revealed that SABIC would be interested in entering polyamide production if a current proposal to do so by another company in Saudi Arabia did not get the go-ahead.

There was no room for two such units in the Kingdom, he explained, but he confirmed polyamide would fit with SABIC’s plans to add value to its product portfolio.

Saudi Arabia is looking at car production in the Kingdom and SABIC wants to be in a position to supply this sector if or when it emerges.

Its recent investment in polycarbonate production in the Kingdom also fits with this strategy.

Al-Mady said the new polycarbonate plant, part of the major new Saudi Kayan complex being built at Al Jubail, would come on stream next year in the first or second quarters.

Three units were already on stream, and a further 16 plants were due up in 2011 and 2012, including phenol and cumene.

Al-Mady also revealed that SABIC was considering adding polycarbonate capacity in China, downstream of the recently commissioned Tianjin complex, a joint venture with Sinopec.

By: John Baker
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