QR2.2bn Qapco unit to be opened today

ASIF IQBAL

DOHA THE Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al Thani will inaugurate Qatar Petrochemical Company’s (Qapco) QR2.2 billion new low-density polyethylene plant (LDPE 3) at Mesaieed Industrial City (MIC) on Tuesday.

The plant will increase Qapco’s output of low-density polyethylene to 700,000 metric tonnes per annum, with LDPE 3 making up nearly half of it.

Testing and commissioning of the plant were completed in mid-August this year.

The foundation stone of the LDPE 3 plant, which will have an annual capacity of 300,000 tonnes, had been laid by the Heir Apparent His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani in 2009.

Qapco has at present two LDPE production lines which together produce about 400,000 tonnes per annum. With the plant going on stream, the combined annual production capacity of polyolefins, which includes LDPE and linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), will go up to 1.15 million tonnes per annum.

“The LDPE 3 facility represents the culmination of our efforts towards the accomplishment of our mission to become a regional leader both in production and distribution of ethylene and polyethylene,” Qapco Vice-Chairman and CEO Mohammed Yousef al Mulla said in a statememt.

Low-density polyethylene is a tough, durable and flexible plastic polymer, an indispensable material for packaging applications all over the world.

The engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the project was awarded to German company Uhde through an international tender for the project.

Qapco, one of the leading ethylene and polyethylene producers in the Middle East, was established in 1974 as a joint multinational venture to utilise the associated and non-associated ethane gas from petroleum production in line with the industrialisation plan of Qatar.

Qapco, which commenced commercial production in 1981, is owned jointly by Qatar Industries with 80 percent share and Total Petrochemicals of France with 20 percent share. IQ is controlled by Qatar Petroleum which has a 70 percent share in it. The remaining 30 percent stake is held by the public.

Qapco products reach more than 4,500 customers in 85 countries through its extensive marketing network in strategic markets of the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the Far East.

Related Posts

Post a Comment

Subscribe Our Newsletter