Sipchem Initiates CO Plant Operation

Saudi International Petrochemical company, Sipchem has started initial operation of its Carbon Monoxide (CO) plant at Sipchem Acetyls complex in Jubail Industrial City. The new CO plant is said to be the largest plant of its kind, whose product would be used as feedstock for the production of Acetic Acid and other future products.

Also, Sipchem has begun the process of commissioning its Acetic Acid (AA) and Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) plants.

The CO plant is designed and built by Lurgi of Germany and their Saudi affiliates. The start up of the CO plant is the first step in the operation of the Acetyls Complex, which is scheduled to begin in Q4, 2009.

The Acetyl Complex constitutes a 345,000 metric tons per annum (MTPA) Carbon Monoxide plant, a 430,000 MTPA Acetic Acid plant, and a 330,000 MTPA Vinyl Acetate Monomer plant.