PIC and Dow Plan to Construct Ethylene and Derivatives Complex and Ethylbenzene/Styrene Unit in Kuwait
"Olefins II would be similar to the existing plants at EQUATE with an 850,000 metric ton per annum ethane cracker and a new world-scale 600,000 metric ton per annum ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol plant using METEOR(TM) ethylene oxide technology," said Mr. Saad Al-Shuwaib Chairman & Managing Director of PIC. "Each party brings unique contributions to this relationship whether feedstock and infrastructure or technical and process skills, and we are pleased to be a part of this expanded effort."
Mr. Al-Shuwaib added that this project is a further step toward executing the PIC long-term strategy in petrochemicals, and that this project has various benefits to Kuwait. In addition to adding value to Kuwaiti hydrocarbons, it will create job opportunities for qualified Kuwaitis and also provide opportunities for local contractors to participate in the execution of the project and later during operation. He added that PIC values the strong EQUATE partnership and looks forward to a similar relationship with Dow on Olefins II and future cooperation.
The existing capacity for UNIPOL(TM) polyethylene would be expanded to utilize the additional ethylene. In addition to Olefins II, PIC and Dow expect to build an ethylbenzene/styrene unit of 300,000 metric tons per annum supplied with ethylene from Olefins II and benzene from the PIC Aromatics Project, to be built simultaneously on the site adjacent to EQUATE.
"We are very much looking forward to building on past and current relationships in such a meaningful way," said Theo Walthie, Dow business group president Hydrocarbons and Energy and Ethylene Oxide-Ethylene Glycol. "The environmental and safety performance of this company is outstanding. EQUATE uses a very successful business model and is a very well run company. Dow brings olefins, ethylene oxide-ethylene glycol and styrene operating experience and the very best technology available to continue and expand our synergistic relationship with PIC."
PIC and Dow indicated that these new projects could provide a basis for further cooperation between the two companies in the field of petrochemicals, inside and outside of Kuwait as opportunities arise.
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