Riyadh-Mubasher: Saudi International Petrochemical Co. (Sipchem) started experimental operations on 20 April at the polybutylene terephthalate plant of its subsidiary, Sipchem Chemical.

The launch follows the successful testing of the plant’s equipment to ensure its efficiency and production quality.

The plant will produce 63,000 metric tons of polybutylene terephthalate, a thermal engineering, highly-specialised polymer used in the automotive industry and the production of electrical and electronic materials.

The start-up is an important step forward in Sipchem’s scheduled expansion and growth program, as such specialised products come within the company’s strategy to increase the added value of products through the implementation of integrated downstream projects, said Ahmad Al-Ohali, chairman of Sipchem Chemical.

The project’s total cost reaches nearly SAR 600 million. Sipchem owns 95% of Sipchem Chemical’s capital, with the remaining stake held by Sipchem Marketing.