Saudi- Sipchem starts Jubail plant operations

(MENAFN- Arab News) Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) has announced the commencement of operations of utility and offsite units, and initial operation of some process units of ethylene vinyl acetates (EVA) and low density poly ethylene (LDPE) plant owned by its affiliate International Polymers Company, at its complex in Jubail Industrial City on Thursday (Sept. 26), according to Tadawul website. By this accomplishment, the company, which issued a statement in this connection earlier on June 11, has said that it has completed the first phase. The phase includes installation and testing of major equipment and pre-manufactured modules, whose installation and testing required longer time, prior to completion of basic preparations for initial startup expected during fourth quarter of this year. Plant capacity is 200 KTPA of ethylene vinyl acetates (EVA) and low density poly ethylene (LDPE). EVA and LDPE products are in line with Sipchem strategies to implement downstream projects that are integrated with Sipchem current products to satisfy local needs and in addition to meet international demand. Raw material required for EVA and LDPE production is ethylene, which will be supplied by Jubail United Petrochemical Company, an affiliate of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and vinyl acetate monomers (VAM) which will be supplied by International Vinyl Acetate Company, a Sipchem affiliate. The company will announce initial operation and financial impact or any other developments in due course. The total cost of construction of this project is SR3 billion. Sipchem owns 75 percent of International Polymers Company (IPC) while Hanwha Chemical Company of Korea owns 25 percent.