KHOBAR - Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) announced on Aug. 4 that it has signed agreements with Rhodia Co., France to build a new ethyl acetate (EA) plant. As part of its Phase-III Expansion Program, Sipchem is to construct and operate 100,000 metric tons per annum, ethyl acetate (EA) plant in Jubail Industrial City. The agreements included a Technology License Agreement, a Marketing Agreement and a Term Sheet for Ethanol Procurement with Rhodia. Access to Rhodia's state-of-the-art ethyl acetate technology and know-how will ensure that the quality and cost of production of the EA Plant will meet and exceed world class standards. In addition, the EA plant will be designed as a swing facility to produce butyl acetate as well. The EA Plant is expected to be commissioned during 2013. The feedstock required to produce ethyl acetate are acetic acid, which will be obtained from Sipchem's affiliate (International Acetyl Company), and ethanol, which will be imported from international markets with the assistance of Rhodia Company. Rhodia is a major global player in ethyl acetate and butyl acetate technology, production and marketing.
