SABIC affiliate Yanbu National Petrochemical Company (YANSAB), signed recently a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Shaw Stone & Webster Inc. for the design, supply and construction of a Butene Plant with a designed annual capacity of 135K metric tons of Butene and 250K (mtpa) of benzene, toluene and xylene mixtures at YANSAB complex, in Yanbu. Eng. Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, the President YANSAB signed the LOI on behalf of YANSAB and Ebrahim Fatemizadeh, President – Energy & Chemical on behalf of Shaw Stone & Webster Inc. Mohamed Al-Mady, SABIC Vice Chairman & CEO said, “This LOI completes the contractual process for all of YANSAB's plants which are expected to go on-stream by 2008, with an annual capacity exceeding 4 million (mtpa). This includes 1.3 million (mtpa) of Ethylene; 400,000 (mtpa) of Propylene; 900,000 of polyethylene, 770,000 (mtpa) of Ethylene Glycol and 400,000 (mtpa) of Polypropylene alongside Butane, Benzene, Xylene and Toluene mixtures. “This large annual capacity will further enhance SABIC's position among the world's largest petrochemical companies and strengthen its competitive and leading capabilities in the global markets.” He pointed out that the complex will utilize SABIC and Sud Chemie 50:50 owned Scientific Design Ethylene Glycol (EG) technology as well as Butene-1 cutting-edge technology developed by SABIC in cooperation with the French Petrol Institute. This is in addition to totally new hi-tech facilities for the production of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), comprising the latest state-of-the-art manufacturing process to meet customer tailored requirements. This technology is being introduced for the first time in SABIC plants in parallel with a new technology for the extraction and conversion of pure aromatic compound to benzene. SABIC owns 55% of YANSAB shares. SABIC partners in its IBN RUSHD affiliate own a further 10% with the remaining 35% being owned by Saudi citizens.
