Saudi-Dutch aluminium alkyls facility to erect in Jubail

Saudi Organometallic Chemicals Company (SOCC), a joint venture equally owned by Albemarle Netherlands B.V., a subsidiary of Albemarle Corporation, and SABIC affiliate, SPECIALTY CHEM (Saudi Specialty Chemical Company), held a groundbreaking ceremony to initiate the construction of a new aluminium alkyls manufacturing facility in Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

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 Saudization 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 tons/yr of tri-ethyl aluminium (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.