Date/Time
Date(s) - 01 December 2008
12:00 am

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Producing 850,000 tons annually

EQUATE declares official startup of new Olefins II Ethylene plant

EQUATE Petrochemical Company announced the launch of commercial operations at the Olefins II Kuwait Program (OL2K) Ethylene Unit (EU2), which was achieved on November 20, 2008.

EQUATE’s Board of Directors Chairman Yousef Al-Ateeqi said “With a total production capacity of 850,000 metric tons annually, the new unit’s construction proved to be a challenging and rewarding project,” noting that the new unit is owned by The Kuwait Olefins Company (TKOC) and operated by EQUATE.

Al-Ateeqi added “This is an outstanding accomplishment and represents the culmination of efforts of over four years, starting with the project team grouping representatives from Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) and EQUATE, along with Technip USA/Italy and its main subcontractor Consolidated Contractors Company and many other supporting subcontractors and individuals.”

Al-Ateeqi, who is also PIC’s Deputy Managing Director for Olefins, noted “The EU2 project had an outstanding safety record with 16 million safe work hours.”

On his part, EQUATE’s President & CEO Hamad Al-Terkait congratulated all teams who have contributed to this success, expressing utmost trust in the abilities of all individuals involved in the OL2K and EQUATE to fully execute this World Class project.

Al-Terkait added “This is a true historical moment for PIC, DOW, EQUATE, TKOC and all other stakeholders.”

The new unit is a critical part of the OL2K project and will provide the Ethyl Benzene-Styrene Monomer, expanded Polyethylene and Ethylene Glycol plants with Ethylene supplies.

Considered one of the world’s leading companies in producing Polyethylene and Ethylene Glycol, EQUATE was established in 1995 and it is presently a joint venture between Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company, Boubyan Petrochemicals Company and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company. It commenced production in 1997 and currently provides markets in the Middle East, Asia, Africa and Europe with high quality petrochemical products.