RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (August 6) - The first shipment of LDPE (low density polyethylene) from KEMYA (Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company), a joint venture affiliate of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), was dispatched from the manufacturing complex in AI-Jubail Industrial City to a downstream customer in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia today.
KEMYA's 220,000 metric tons per year (Mt/y) LDPE plant began trial production about two months ago, adding one more important product to SABIC's diverse polymer portfolio. The new LDPE plant and last year's debottlenecking of its LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) plants have increased KEMYA's total PE production capacity to 1.07 million Mt/y. The new KEMYA plant is among the largest LDPE facilities in the world.
The availability of LDPE will further strengthen SABIC's position as a key player in the global polymer market. SABIC is already recognized as a leading supplier of a full range of the most widely used polymers such as LLDPE, HDPE, PP (polypropylene), PS (polystyrene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
The demand for LDPE in Saudi Arabia is estimated to be around 70,000 mt/y, and the output from KEMYA plant will meet this requirement, substituting for imports. The surplus will be exported to SABIC's strategic global markets, particularly in Middle East and Africa, where the commodity has high potential and demand.
LDPE has several downstream applications, mainly in the production of packaging films, coating and molded goods. It is also used as a blend component in LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) to improve processability.
-Ends-
Mohammad Al-Motawa
Vice President, Public Relations
© Press Release 2005
