Riyadh: The National Petrochemical Industrial Co. (NATPET), a Saudi Joint Stock Company, has revealed that 74% of GCC polymer capacity, amount to 17.6 million tons, was produced in KSA in 2012.
“NATPET said that there was an addition of 2.2 million tons in GCC Polymers Capacity in 2012, with 14% year-on-year growth. The bulk of capacity addition was Polyethylene and Polypropylene.”
NATPET revealed these figures while announcing that the company will be the Gold Sponsor of ArabPlast 2015, the region’s leading trade show for the plastics industry that will be held from January 10 to 13.
NATPET said that there was an addition of 2.2 million tons, a 14% year-on-year growth. The bulk of capacity addition was related to Polyethylene and Polypropylene.
“Over the past few years, polyethylene and polypropylene comprised the bulk of polymers produced in the GCC, with Polyethylene dominates with 13.7 million tons, followed by Polypropylene with 8 million tons,” Jamal J. Malaikah, President and COO, said.
“We are producing a wide range of PP grade mix, including Homo-polymers, Random and Impact Copolymers under the trade name of Teldene to serve diversified market segments, such as rigid and flexible packaging, fiber and raffia, consumer goods, automotive amongst others,” Malaikah, said.
NATPET has built a 400,000 MT/Year polypropylene plant in Yanbu Industrial City on the west coast of Saudi Arabia. This Plant is producing a wide range of polypropylene mix of Homopolymers, Random and Heterophasic Copolymers, suitable for a wide range of applications. During ArabPlast 2015, NATPET will showcase the finished products of its potential grades in the application of thermoforming, injection molding.
“ArabPlast is definitely the Number One show in the Middle East for plastics, petrochemicals and rubber industry. The significance of this event, as compared to other events in the world, is that almost all local competitive producers of polymer resins participate in it. Thus it brings together local competitors for sharing knowledge that can benefit all,” Satish Khanna, General Manager, Al Fajer Information and Services, Co-organiser of the show along with Germany’s Messe Dusseldorf, said.
“ArabPlast is a biennial event. The 2013 edition saw a record participation of 794 companies from 41 countries, displaying their products and technologies in injection molding, blow molding, wrapping and packaging, pre and post plastic processing techniques as well as raw materials, such as additives and polymers. ArabPlast is a platform to interact with local converters and traders to boost the sales of plastic products.”
A record number of companies are participating in ArabPlast 2015, with almost 1100 confirmed exhibitors from 45 countries, a reflection of the growing importance attached by GCC countries to strengthening their manufacturing industries, including plastics and rubber sector, which are known to be more sustainable investments in the long run.