Dow Chemical: Sadara Starts BGE Production at Saudi Plant

Saudi-based Sadara Chemical Company, a joint venture between Saudi Arabian Oil Company (Saudi Aramco) and The Dow Chemical Company, has announced the production of commercial quantities of butyl glycol ether (BGE) at its plant, one of the largest of its kind in the world.

The BGE will be refined into several specialty chemicals that Sadara will be producing in Saudi Arabia for the first time.

The single-train plant, one of 26 ones located in the company's chemical complex in Jubail Industrial City II, will enable new manufacturing facilities to be established in the kingdom, which will create new job opportunities for locals, it said.

The Sadara Butyl Glycol Ethers plant produces multiple grades of liquid derivatives including BGE, Butoxy DiGlycol Ether, Butoxy Tri Glycol Ether and Butoxy Poly Glycol Ether. These derivatives have a wide range of commercial and industrial applications, including the production of industrial solvents, stain removers, plasticizers as well as agricultural crop protection applications

The plant will produce multiple grades of liquid derivatives including butoxy glycol ether, butoxy diGlycol ether, butoxy tri glycol ether and butoxy poly glycol ether, it added.

These derivatives have a wide range of commercial and industrial applications, including the production of industrial solvents, stain removers, plasticizers as well as agricultural crop protection applications, said a statement.

Commenting on the announcement, CEO Ziad Al Labban said: "This is yet another major milestone for Sadara made possible thanks to the dedication and hard work of Sadara's highly-talented workforce."

"Over the next couple of months, we expect to start up our remaining manufacturing plants, steadily moving towards the realization of full operations," he added.