New aluminium alkyls manufacturing facility in Jubail

Saudi Organometallic Chemicals Company (SOCC), a joint venture equally owned by Albemarle Netherlands B.V. and SABIC affiliate, SPECIALTY CHEM (Saudi Specialty Chemical Company), held a groundbreaking ceremony on 18 September to begin the construction of a new aluminum alkyls manufacturing facility in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Representatives from Albemarle, Samsung Engineering, SABIC, SOCC and SPECIALTY CHEM as well as a number of regional customers attended the ceremony.  During the celebration, executive leaders from each company discussed the regional economic benefits that are expected as a result of the project.  The facility is projected to create a number of new jobs, 80% of which will be reserved for Saudi nationals in accordance with the country's Saudisation policy.  The construction phase of the new project, which is the first of its kind in the Middle East, is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2012. The facility will manufacture 6,000 metric tonnes annually of of tri-ethyl aluminum (TEA), a Ziegler Natta co-catalyst used in the plastics industry. The plant is being built at this location to bring TEA production closer to the end-users, thus supporting growing regional demand.

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