The plants that have received the go-ahead should be on-stream beginning the first half of 2016. Sumitomo Chemical (Tokyo) and its local partner The Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) are also mulling the production of nylon 6 resin at the site. The partners are investing a total of $7 billion in the new production assets, which also include superabsorbent polymer (SAP) and petrochemicals such as polyols,

The Petro Rabigh joint venture is already a major player in plastics supply in Asia and elsewhere, with polypropylene, linear low-density polyethylene and high-density polyethylene plants operating commercially since September 2009. —[email protected]