Sabic and Celanese form an alliance for POM

An agreement has been signed between Sabic and Celanese Corporation  for the construction of a 50,000-ton POM production facility at the National Methanol complex in Jubail (Saudi Arabia). The engineering and construction of the new facility is expected to begin by 2011 and should go on-stream by 2013, using methanol already being produced by Ibn Sina, a joint-venture among Sabic (50%), Celanese (25%) and Duke Energy Corporation (25%). This represents a key feedstock for the production of POM, an engineered performance chemical product specifically used in automotive industries as well as in mechanical and construction fields. The plant (for a total investment of 400 million dollars approx.) is part of Sabic 2020 strategic plan aiming at providing wider prospects for the Saudi downstream industries.