Equate polyethylene expansion complete

Plastics capacity continues to come online in the Middle East, with the latest news from polyolefins supplier Equate Petrochemical Co. The company has completed expansion of its latest project, adding 225,000 tonnes/year and bringing its total polyethylene (PE) capacity to 825,000 tonnes/year of HDPE and LLDPE. The company markets its material in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and Europe via its own Equate Marketing Co. (EMC).

Equate, established in 1995, is a joint venture between Petrochemical Industries Co. (PIC), The Dow Chemical Co., Boubyan Petrochemicals Co., and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Co. PIC and Dow each control 42.5% of the company.

As reported here last month, 13 million tonnes of petrochemical expansion is currently under way in just Saudi Arabia, with additional capacity in other countries throughout the region, continuing the growth noted earlier in our reports. —mpweditorial@cancom.com