JEDDAH – IDEA Soda Ash and Calcium Chloride Company (ISACC) has received approval from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to renew the allocation of feedstock (industrial gas and heavy fuel) for the project the company is developing to build an industrial complex at Yanbu Industrial City. The industrial complex will include a factory for the production of 300,000 tons of soda ash, which considered the first of its kind in the Gulf region and the largest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The complex also includes a calcium chloride plant that is considered the largest in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with an annual capacity of 300,000 tons. The project will be owned and managed by InoChem (Khair Inorganic Chemical Industries Co.) a Saudi closed joint stock company under establishment. Abdul Aziz Yahya Al-Muaiyyad, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at ISACC, is very enthusiastic about receiving the approval from the Ministry, saying "it is an important step in supporting the project, which will be followed by other steps to accelerate the execution of the project toward startup as planned in early 2018.” He also said "InoChem project will contribute toward meeting the growing demand for soda ash and calcium chloride in the Saudi market as well as supporting future downstream industries,” he added. “InoChem, which is being developed for the production of these important products, will also include advanced processing and recycling units to ensure achieving highest level of environmental protection standards and cost optimization. It will be developed in accordance with the best international standards in such industry, achieving the highest level of safety, health, environmental protection and quality standards.“ He also noted that the project will support the Saudi labor market with hundreds of new jobs for young men and women, noting, “One of InoChem strategies is to capitalize on the local workforce capacity with solid on-boarding, training, and qualification programs. Saudis will have excellent opportunities in the different departments and functions at all levels with strong plans for further development and career advancement.” He further said "Saudi Arabia's soda ash consumption is expected to reach about 627,000 tons annually by 2018 (394,000 tons in 2013 actual) and about 187,000 tons of calcium chloride (165,000 tons in 2013 actual), both of which are currently being imported from abroad. Soda ash is used in the manufacturing of glass, detergents, and inorganic chemicals, while calcium chloride is mainly used in the drilling and exploration of oil and gas fields.” This is one of the Kingdom's strategic projects to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on oil exports. The project is also expected to support further downstream projects, while committing to strategic plans aimed at reaching 75 percent workforce Saudization. Key to mention is that InoChem (Khair Inorganic Chemical Industries Co.), is a Saudi investment being founded by IDEA International for Investment and Development Company, MEDA Chemical Group, and a group of businessmen and major investment companies. — SG
