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SABIC and ExxonMobil to Proceed with Specialty Elastomers Project at Al-Jubail
The facility will be integrated with the existing Jubail
complex and is expected to be completed in 2015. The companies have approved the
next stage of project development -- engineering, procurement and construction (EPC).
The facility will have the capacity to produce up to 400,000
tonnes per year of rubber -- including halobutyl, styrene butadiene,
polybutadiene, and ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubbers --
thermoplastic specialty polymers, and carbon black to serve local markets, the
Middle East and Asia. Kemya has awarded the EPC contract for the elastomers
facility to Technip, Tecnicas Reunidas and Daelim.
Kemya is a 50-50 joint venture between SABIC and Exxon
Chemical Arabia Inc., an affiliate of ExxonMobil
Chemical Company.
The two companies have collaborated closely since 1980 when they established the
joint venture, which produces polyethylene, ethylene, and propylene. The new
synthetic rubber project represents a significant broadening of Kemya’s
product portfolio.
Associated with the new Kemya elastomers facility is the
establishment of the High Institute for Elastomer Industries (HIEI), a
vocational training center in Yanbu; a product application center in Riyadh; and
thermoplastic polyolefin compounding and inventory management facilities in
Jubail. The facilities are aligned with
Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC Vice Chairman and CEO, said, “The
Kemya elastomers facility demonstrates our commitment to build and champion a
first-rate rubber industry in Saudi Arabia that supports job creation, develops
downstream industries and helps diversify the national economy. The strategic
partnership between SABIC and ExxonMobil provides the strength of
industry-leading competitive assets, introduces new specialty products to the
Kingdom and offers global marketing and supply capability of exceptional
quality. We will provide the building blocks for our customers to successfully
compete on a domestic and international scale in markets for a wide range of
applications.”
“ExxonMobil is proud to be a leading foreign investor in,
and customer of, the
An expanding transportation infrastructure in the
“The expansion will employ the latest proprietary processes
and product technologies to meet the growing global demand for specialty
elastomers,” said Neil Chapman, senior vice president, polymers, for
ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
“The project will help maintain an important focus on
accelerating the growth and diversification of the Kingdom’s manufacturing
sector,” said Koos Van Haasteren, SABIC executive vice president, performance
chemicals. “The HIEI, product support center, and the Kemya elastomers
facility together build a strong foundation for investments in targeted
industries such as automotive manufacturing, building and construction and
appliances.”
About
SABIC
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) ranks among the
world’s top petrochemical companies, and is among the world’s market leaders
in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene, advanced thermoplastics,
glycols, methanol and fertilizers. SABIC manufactures on a global scale in
About
ExxonMobil Chemical Company
ExxonMobil Chemical Company is one of the world’s premier
petrochemical companies with global manufacturing, technology, and marketing
operations. The company delivers a broad portfolio of products and solutions
efficiently and responsibly, with a commitment to create outstanding customer
and shareholder value. ExxonMobil Chemical endorses the principle of sustainable
development, including the need to balance economic growth, social development
and environmental considerations. To learn more, visit
About
Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company
Al-Jubail Petrochemical Company (Kemya) is a 50-50 joint
venture between Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) and Exxon Chemical
Arabia Inc., an affiliate of ExxonMobil Chemical Company.
Note to editors: ExxonMobil refers collectively to some or
all of the companies affiliated with Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE: XOM),
which have chemical manufacturing and/or marketing operations around the world.