SABIC opens Ibn Sina polyacetal plant

Saudi Basic Industries Corp (SABIC) has opened its Ibn Sina polyacetal (POM) manufacturing plant at Jubail Industrial City, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

The plant will have an annual output capacity of 50,000 metric tons, and is developed as a joint venture with CTE -- a company owned by Celanese and Duke Energy.

The new plant falls under SABIC's 2025 Strategy to provide new polymer solutions and support development of local content in national industries, in line with Vision 2030's objectives, the company said.

“The startup of the plant reflects our strategic commitment to diversify our solutions. We seek to create long-term value for our customers in a range of industries, including automotive, building and construction, consumer goods, appliances and lighting,” said Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, Executive Vice President, Petrochemicals, at SABIC.

Marcel van Amerongen, Vice President of Celanese said the new plant is set to make a long-term contribution to Saudi economy and support the growth of the plastics industry.

SABIC owns 50 percent of National Methanol Co. (Ibn Sina), and CTE owns the remaining stake.