Tasnee and Sahara Olefins Company (TSOC) and Rohm and Haas Company executives met, toured several Tasnee and Sahara production sites in Al Jubail and visited with the Royal Commission.
This was the first face to face meeting since the April 16, 2008, announcement about the formation of the Saudi Acrylic Monomers Company, a joint venture that will build a 250,000 metric tonne acrylic monomer in El-Jubail.
The Jubail facility is the first downstream chemical project of its kind to be undertaken in the Middle East and will be operational in 2011.
Saudi Acrylic Monomer Company will use the advantaged supply of propylene and the latest process technology to make acrylic acid and related products to support the fast-paced growth of Rohm and Haas’s water-based, acrylic products in rapidly developing economies. TSOC has exclusive rights to sell acrylic acid products within the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries.
“We are quite honored to be able to participate in this venture with TSOC,” said Pierre R. Brondeau, President and Chief Operating Officer.
“Having acrylate monomer manufacturing capacity in place is essential to our long-term success. TSOC is a very valuable partner who shares values for quality products, safety and environmental responsibility in a manner that is similar to Rohm and Haas.
We are focused on profitable growth in all parts of the globe and making sure we have the right footprint in each region to support that growth. Our visit reaffirms our strong confidence in the future success of Saudi Acrylic Monomer Company.”
Brondeau noted the important role the Jubail facility will play as the company continues to target growth of its acrylic portfolio in fast-growing markets such as India, Southeast Asia and China.
“We continue to see strong demand for acrylic technology in paints and coatings, adhesives, detergent additives, and many other applications. Having dedicated monomer supply will strengthen our position in these important markets and accelerate our growth.”
Saudi Acrylic Monomer Company is 75 percent owned by TSOC; 25 percent by Rohm and Haas. When completed, the plant in Jubail will employ approximately 225 people. Rohm and Haas will consume the majority of the plant’s production to supply the needs of its downstream businesses.
