SAHARA & Ma`aden Petrochemicals Company (SAMAPCO) was established as a limited liability 50:50 joint venture company between Sahara and Ma’aden.

 SAMAPCO is being established to design, construct, commission, own and operate an integrated chlor-alkali plant capable of producing 300,000 tonnes per annum of EDC and 250,000 tonnes per annum of caustic soda, together with the associated utilities and support facilities to be located in Jubail Industrial City in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia.  Commercial operations are expected to commence in the first quarter of 2013.

Caustic soda is used in many industries, mostly as a strong chemical base in the manufacture of pulp and paper, textiles, drinking water, soaps and detergents and as a drain cleaner.  Ethylene dichloride is mainly used to produce vinyl chloride monomer, the major precursor for PVC production.

For more information about Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden), visit:
www.maaden.com.sa