Saudi International Petrochemicals Company (Sipchem) said on Saturday it exported its first shipment of acetic acid. Sipchem said last month it expected to begin exporting acetic acid in January. Acetic acid is produced by the International Acetyl Co (IAC), a Sipchem affiliate, and the first shipment went to Asian markets on Friday, Sipchem said in a statement on the Saudi bourse website. The acetic acid plant in Jubail has a production capacity of 460,000 tons per year and 50,000 tons of acetic anhydride. Acetic acid is used as a solvent and in the manufacture of rubber, plastics, acetate fibers and pharmaceuticals. Almost half of the acetic acid is used as a feedstock for the vinyl acetate monomer plant which Sipchem plans to commission this month, it said in the statement. Meanwhile, Sipchem has leased 33,222 m2 storage space at Jubail Commercial Port for export of solid olefin products from Saudi Ports Authority.
