ORPIC announces integrated olefins project at SPE conference.
Press Release Summary:
ORPIC, a subsidiary of OMAN Oil Company, has chosen the first SPE conference to be held in the Middle East to announce a USD $3.6 billion investment in an integrated olefins project that will have an annual capacity of 1 million tons of linear low- and high-density polyethylene. Another highlight of the Polyolefin Plastics Arabia Conference was a panel discussion on the growth and challenges for plastics processors in the Gulf region.
Original Press Release:
Announcement of Giant Integrated Polyolefin Project in Oman Highlights First Middle East Conference Organized By SPE
Polyolefin Plastics Arabia Conference also Featured a Panel Discussion on Growth and Challenges for Plastics Processors in the Gulf Region
MUSCAT, OMAN, -- ORPIC, a subsidiary of OMAN Oil Company, has chosen the first Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) conference to be held in the Middle East to announce a USD $3.6-billion investment in an integrated olefins project that will have an annual capacity of one million tons of linear low- and high-density polyethylene.
The Polyolefin Plastics Arabia Conference, which ends today, was co-organized by SPE and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (PEIE), an organization which fosters industrial development in Oman. With more than 100 conference attendees and two dozen workshop participants, the event is the latest manifestation of an SPE drive for international expansion of its mission to disseminate plastics knowledge.
ORPIC handles Oman’s refinery and petrochemicals business. The company’s new project will include a steam cracker for production of olefin monomers and polymerization reactors with a capacity of one million tons. It is expected to be completed by 2018. While ORPIC already produces 200,000 tons per year of polypropylene, the project will mark the company’s entry into the polyethylene market. Polyolefins will account for 12% of ORPIC’s total sales once the project is on stream and will generate 50% of the company’s profits, according to ORPIC CEO Musab al Mahruqi, who spoke at the conference.
Another highlight of the conference was a panel discussion on the growth and challenges for plastics processors in the Gulf region. “There is a great push from governments in the Gulf countries to enhance the development and growth of the local plastics converting industry,” said SPE CEO Willem De Vos. “This industry is currently dominated by resin producers, but converters require different and special attention.”
The aggressive growth of plastics processing being planned for the Middle East will generate great demand for qualified and capable technical human resources, along with expanded access to plastics engineering knowledge, according to SPE’s new president Jon Ratzlaff. “SPE is an excellent fit for bringing plastics knowledge and professional networking to the region,” he noted.
THE SOCIETY OF PLASTICS ENGINEERS (SPE) is the premier source of peer-reviewed technical information for plastics professionals. Founded in 1942, SPE takes action every day to help companies in the plastics industry succeed by spreading knowledge, strengthening skills, and promoting plastics. Employing these vital strategies, SPE has helped the plastics industry thrive for over 70 years. SPE has become the recognized medium of communication among scientists, engineers, and technical personnel engaged in the development, conversion, and application of plastics. For more information, please visit www.4spe.org.
