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Overview
and Partners
EQUATE Petrochemical Company was founded in 1995 as a joint venture between Kuwait's state-owned Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC); Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), now a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow); and Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) - a public company listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange.
EQUATE's current ownership sees Dow and PIC each retaining 42.5%, BPC holding 9%, and the remaining 6% owned by Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC) - a private company established in Kuwait during 2004.
The company's petrochemical complex began production in November 1997 following inauguration by His Highness Shaikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the late Amir of Kuwait.
Location in the Shuaiba Industrial Area afforded ready access to a world-class infrastructure offering reliable supplies of electricity and cooling water, well-established maintenance facilities, and a dedicated industrial port with capacity to meet present and future shipping requirements.
Producing polyethylene (PE) and ethylene glycol (EG) for the markets of Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe, EQUATE addresses the rapidly growing global demand for high quality and competitively priced plastics and chemicals.
The company owes its success to Kuwait's rich natural resource, and the continuous efforts of some of the most dedicated and skilled people in the business. It has achieved a leading market position and has become widely recognized for its high standards of delivery and customer service.
EQUATE produces PE and EG utilizing sophisticated UNIPOL II® and Meteor® process reactors. With over 1,000 reactor-years of successful operation, these technologies offer the safest and most environmentally sound polyolefin processes in the world.
Production capabilities
Through two ethane crackers, EQUATE produces 1.7 million tons of ethylene per annum utilizing feedstock supplied by Kuwait National Petroleum Company's LPG plant, located close to the industrial complex. This ethylene in turn supplies the following plants:
• EQUATE's PE unit, producing 600,000 tons per annum;
• EQUATE's EG unit, producing 550,000 tons per annum;
• The Kuwait Olefins Company's EG unit, operated by EQUATE, producing 600,000 tons per annum;
• The PIC owned polypropylene plant, operated by EQUATE.
PE is marketed through EQUATE Marketing Company (EMC) to customers in Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and other selected areas. EG is sold by MEGlobal through its marketing channels.
Social role
The company's significance extends beyond its production activities. EQUATE has fulfilled a vital role in the diversification of Kuwait's economy, reducing its long-term dependence on oil revenues. In addition to an economic return, Kuwait has benefited from the company's introduction of new technology, research and development in the petrochemical field, and expertise in marketing, finance and management.
EQUATE has also been responsible for the creation of new employment and training opportunities and has raised the benchmark for commercial practice in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.
Customers gain a competitive edge
EQUATE meets its customers' application and performance requirements for linear low- to high-density PE. The UNIPOL® process allows for the production of resins combining the strength of linear low-density PE (LLDPE) with the processability of conventional low-density PE, as well as bi-model high molecular weight, high-density PE (HDPE) film resins.
PE is the most frequently used plastic in the world, used to manufacture a remarkable range of items. These include merchandise and trash bags, packaging film, containers, crates and children's toys. Other blow- and injection-molded applications include agricultural film, flexible hose and tubing, insulation and jacketing for telecommunications and power cables, storage tanks, piping, geo-membranes and pond liners.
The METEOR® process is central to EQUATE's ability to supply EG for expanding polyester fiber, resin for fashion and home furnishings, beverage containers, anti-freeze and coolants as well as extremely thin, high-strength films for computers, VCR and audio tapes.
The Dow Chemical Company
With annual sales of $58 billion and 46,000 employees worldwide, Dow is a diversified chemical company that combines the power of science and technology with the "Human Element" to constantly improve what is essential to human progress.
The Company delivers a broad range of products and services to customers in around 160 countries, connecting chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help provide everything from fresh water, food and pharmaceuticals to paints, packaging and personal care products.
http://www.dow.com
Petrochemical Industries Company
Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC) is a wholly owned subsidiary
of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC). PIC was established by
Amiri Decree in 1963 and commenced production in 1966, representing
a first for Kuwait and the GCC region.
Located in the Shuaiba Industrial Area, the company's initial
fertilizer plant comprised four units producing ammonia, urea,
sulphuric acid and ammonium sulphate. The complex was subsequently
expanded in 1970 and 1984, when PIC became the largest ammonia
producer in the Middle East. PIC is now also a leader in salt
and chlorine production and its state-of-the-art complex employs
the latest technology to meet international quality standards
and specifications.
In 1976 the private sector equity of PIC was transferred to
the State of Kuwait and upon its formation in 1980, KPC assumed full control and ownership of
the company.
http://www.pic.com.kw
Boubyan Petrochemical Company
Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) was established in Kuwait following
a 1995 Initial Public Offering (IPO) of shares. While BPC retains a broadly based
portfolio of direct investments across the industrial sector,
its primary focus remains on the chemical and petrochemical
businesses. This includes a wholly owned subsidiary producing
polyethylene film. BPC holds a 9% stake in EQUATE.
http://www.boubyan.com
Qurain Petrochemical Industries
Company
Al-Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC) is a Kuwaiti
company founded through an IPO in 2004. QPIC owns a 6%
stake in EQUATE, making it the fourth partner in EQUATE's corporate
shareholder structure.
http://www.qpic-kw.com
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