KHOBAR - Saudi International Petrochemicals Co (Sipchem) said on Saturday it had started trial operations at its vinyl acetate monomer plant in Jubail. The plant is the last step before commissioning the acteyls complex, the company said in a statement on the Saudi bourse website. The acetyls complex is Sicphem's second phase of development plans. The complex will produce 450,000 tons of acetic acid, 330,000 tons of vinyl acetate monomer and 345,000 tons of carbon monoxide annually. Sipchem started testing production at its acetic acid plant last month. Almost half of the acetic acid is used as a feedstock for the vinyl acetate monomer plant. The firm also started in August pre-commissioning its carbon monoxide plant which will provide feedstock for the production of acetic acid and other products. Saudi Arabia is investing in a massive expansion plan in petrochemicals and chemicals as it looks to profit more from processing energy resources and become less dependent on crude revenues alone. Sipchem recently celebrated its first acetic acid commercial shipment to the Asian markets through King Fahd Industrial Port in Jubail industrial city. The shipment was produced by the International Acetyl Company, a Sipchem affiliate. The acetic acid production started last month with an annual production capacity of 460 thousand metric tons. Nearly half of this production shall be used as a feedstock for the Sipchem's vinyl acetate monomer plant for which the final preparations for its start-up this month have already started. The remaining part of the production shall be marketed in the local and the international markets. Engineer Abdullah Al-Saadoon, president of the acetyls complex, said the operation of the acetyl complex is considered a positive step towards diversification of the company product portfolio and enhancement of its profitability. In addition, it will also open the door wide for many downstream industries in the Kingdom which in turn will have its positive impact on the expansion and the diversification of end products industries.
